Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - November 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 recorded at 147.8 in November was higher than its October level of 147.5 in October while that in AONCR, its level decreased to 160.1 from 160.4.

   Seasonal factor like the on-going harvest season of palay still observed in selected regions lowered prices of rice in NCR and AONCR. Thus, prices of FBT items in the two areas were generally pushed down by this seasonal factor relative to the expected trend.

   Measured a month ago, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in NCR continued to post a negative rate of -0.2 percent from -0.4 percent. Similarly, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in AONCR dropped to -0.2 percent from zero growth last month.

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 went down to 162.8 and 158.5 in November from their respective last month’s levels of 164.3 and 159.7. This was due to the series of price reductions in petroleum products.

Seasonal factors such as the large production of selected goods for the holiday season did not push up prices of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

The monthly rate of change of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR was noted at -0.9 percent and -0.8 percent, respectively from their corresponding previous month’s rates of 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent.

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: December 5, 2008