1. A. CPI of Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT): National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)
   

   The seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in NCR decreased to 128.8 in September from 129.2 in August. In AONCR, the index slightly went up to 132.1 from 132.0.

   Seasonal factors such as the series of typhoons that hit the northern part of the country in August generally affected the supply of food items in some areas in AONCR. Thus, the general price movements of FBT items in the area were pushed up by these seasonal factors during the month. However, these seasonal factors did not pull up prices of FBT items in NCR.

   The month-on month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI on FBT items in NCR dropped to -0.3 percent in September from 1.4 percent last month. On the other hand, additions in the prices of seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in AONCR was at 0.1 percent, slower than the 0.5 percent growth in August.

2. B. CPI of Non-FBT items: National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)

The seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR registered at 151.3 and 144.4 in September were higher than their respective last month’s levels of 151.1 and 144.1. The seasonal factor during the month did not raise prices of non-FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

The monthly rate of change of the seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in NCR climbed up to 0.1 percent in September from -0.1 percent in August. However, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in AONCR moved up at a slower pace of 0.2 percent in September from 0.3 percent in August.

Page last updated: October 5, 2006