Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - May 2008)

1. 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 and AONCR registered at 146.1 and 153.0 in May were higher than their respective April levels of 143.9 and 150.1.

   The effects of the typhoon Cosme on agricultural crops in the northern part of the country in May generally affected the supply of vegetables in selected regions including NCR. Likewise, price increases on some fish species resulted from low supply brought about by lesser fishing trips due to inclement weather conditions were also recorded. Thus, the general price movements of FBT items in AONCR were pushed up by these seasonal factors during the month. However, these seasonal factors did not pull up prices of FBT items in NCR relative to the expected trend.

   On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted FBT items in NCR and AONCR moved up by 1.5 percent and 1.9 percent in May. These were slower than their respective growth rates of 2.3 percent and 3.4 percent in April.

2. 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 picked up to 160.7 and 154.2 in May from their respective April levels of 159.3 and 153.2. Higher demand for some clothing items and school supplies in preparation for the coming opening of classes were noted during the month. These seasonal factors however, did not raise prices of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

Compared to last month, the monthly rate of change of the seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR correspondingly slowed down to 0.9 percent and 0.7 percent in May from 1.7 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.

For technical notes and other related information,
please visit:
http://www.census.gov.ph
or contact the Economic Indicators and Indices Division, NSO
at telephone number 716-3935

Page last updated:   June 5, 2008