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 correspondingly went up to 155.4 and 159.2 in October from their respective September levels of 153.9 and 159.1.

   Seasonal factor such as the on-going harvest season of palay in many provinces resulted to lower prices of rice in the two areas. Thus, prices of FBT items in NCR were pulled down by this seasonal factor. However, in AONCR, this seasonal factor did not push down prices of FBT items relative to the expected trend.

   The monthly rate of change of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR and AONCR increased respectively to 1.0 percent and 0.1 percent from their corresponding September 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 picked up to 196.4 and 189.1 in October from their corresponding September levels of 195.5 and 188.8.

Increased production of selected items in preparation of the forthcoming holiday season generally pulled down prices of non-FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted non-FBT items in NCR accelerated to 0.5 percent in October from 0.3 percent in September. Meanwhile, prices of these items in AONCR slightly slowed to 0.2 percent from 0.3 percent.

Page last updated: November 10, 2003