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 increased to 156.5 and 159.7 in November from their respective October levels of 155.6 and 159.3.

   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 AONCR were slightly pushed down by this seasonal factor.

   The monthly rate of change of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR slowed to 0.6 percent from 1.0 percent. However, prices of these items in AONCR picked up by 0.3 percent from 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 196.8 and 189.5 in October from their corresponding October levels of 196.4 and 189.1.

The continuous increase in 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.

Compared to last month, prices of seasonally adjusted non-FBT items in NCR moved up at a slower rate of 0.2 percent in November from 0.5 percent. On the other hand, the increase in the price of these items in AONCR was at 0.2 percent.

Page last updated: December 10, 2003