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 increased to 153.7 in September from 153.3 in August while in AONCR, its level slightly decreased to 159.1 from 159.2.

   The onset of harvest season for palay in some provinces pushed down prices of rice in NCR and in selected areas in AONCR. On the other hand, the stormy weather conditions experienced during the month generally pushed up prices of fish and eggs in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

   On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in NCR and AONCR moved at their respective August's rates of 0.3 percent and -0.1 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 went up to 195.5 and 188.8 in September from their corresponding August levels of 194.9 and 188.3.

During the lean month of September, seasonal factors such as the low demand of goods and services pushed down prices of non-FBT items in the two areas.

The month-on-month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR slowed to 0.3 percent in September from their respective rates of 0.9 percent and 0.4 percent in August.

Page last updated: October 13, 2003