July 2009

• Month-on-Month

  The month-on-month inflation rate of the General Retail Price Index (GRPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) moved up at a slower pace of 0.1 percent in July from 0.8 percent in June. Except for beverages and tobacco whose monthly growth rate was higher at 0.2 percent in July from 0.1 percent in June, all the other commodity groups either posted zero growth, remained stable or had slower growth rates. Monthly price movement in the heavily weighted food index and miscellaneous manufactured articles index decelerated to 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively from their previous monthÒ³ corresponding rates of 0.2 percent and 0.7 percent. The machinery and transport equipment index retained its previous monthÒ³ rate while the rest of the commodity groups remained stable.

  While prices of beverages and tobacco increased by 0.1 percent, it was offsetted by the slower price increments of fish, vegetables, clothing and steel bars during the month.
  

• Year-on-Year

  On an annual basis, the movement in the GRPI in NCR further dropped to -2.8 percent in July from -2.2 percent in June. The mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials and manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials groups still posted negative annual growth rates. Slowdowns were registered in beverages and tobacco at 4.0 percent in July from 4.4 percent in June; crude materials, inedible except fuels, 3.2 percent from 3.9 percent; chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats, 2.6 percent from 2.8 percent; machinery and transport equipment, 0.9 percent from 1.1 percent. On the other hand, the food and miscellaneous manufactured articles indexes increased to 1.4 percent and 3.7 percent respectively, from 0.9 percent and 3.5 percent.

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  Source: National Statistics Office
  Manila, Philippines

  Page last revised: September 24, 2009