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 in NCR slightly went down to 130.4 in December from 130.5 in November. On the other hand, the seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT in AONCR was higher at 134.1 in December from its last month's level of 133.7.

   Seasonal factors such as the rains caused by the typhoon in the northern and southern parts of Luzon at the early part of the month and the heavier demand for chicken and fruits during the holidays effected higher prices for these items. The inclement weather conditions that brought difficulty in catching fishes that usually settle deep in the waters during the cold months caused price increments for selected fish species in the wet markets. All these factors raised prices of FBT items in NCR relative to the expected trend. However, these seasonal factors did not pull up prices of FBT items in AONCR.

   The month-on-month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR declined to -0.1 percent from zero growth while in AONCR, it slowed down to 0.3 percent from 0.6 percent.

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 correspondingly decreased to 151.1 and 144.0 in December from their respective November levels of 151.2 and 144.2. Seasonal factors like the higher demand for selected goods due to the holiday seasons did not increase prices of non-FBT items in NCR relative to the expected trend. Meanwhile, prices of non-FBT items in AONCR were generally pushed up by these seasonal factors.

Movement in the prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in the two areas was pegged at -0.1 percent during the month.

Page last updated: January 5, 2007