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 149.5 and 154.4 in March from their respective February levels of 147.4 and 153.6.

   Prices of FBT items in NCR significantly went up by 1.4 percent in March from 0.1 percent last month as the big demand for fruits and vegetables during the observance of the Holy Week triggered higher prices for these items. Similarly, prices of FBT items in AONCR rose by 0.5 percent this month from 0.3 percent in February.

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 by 183.8 and 178.0 in March from their corresponding last month's levels of 183.1 and 177.0 respectively.

The month-on-month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR moved up to 0.4 percent in March from zero growth in February as purchased power adjustment (PPA) and currency exchange rate (CERA) for electricity were up during the month. For AONCR, increments in the prices of some construction materials and higher rates for electricity consumption were posted during the month. These factors pulled up prices of non-FBT items in the area by 0.6 percent this month from 0.3 percent in February.

Page Last Updated: April 10, 2002