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 in NCR and AONCR correspondingly increased to 159.8 and 163.7 in March from their respective February levels of 158.8 and 161.8.

   Seasonal factors such as the peak fishing season and the prevalence of favorable weather during the month generally pushed down prices of fish in NCR. For AONCR, the abundant supply of the in-season fruits pulled down its prices relative to the expected trend.

   Compared with February 2004, prices of seasonally adjusted FBT items in AONCR went up to 1.2 percent in March from 0.2 percent. Prices of seasonally adjusted FBT items in the NCR also picked up but at a slower rate of 0.6 percent from 0.8 percent.

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 respectively moved up to 195.1 and 191.6 in March from their corresponding February levels of 194.9 and 191.0.

The graduation season observed during the month raised prices of clothing items in the in NCR relative to the expected trend. However, this seasonal factor did not push up prices of non-FBT items in AONCR.

On a monthly basis, the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR correspondingly slowed down to 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent in March.

Page last updated: April 13, 2004