Inflation in the Cordillera region slowed in June as fuel prices declined during a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Baguio City recorded 6.7 percent inflation last month, down from 7 percent in May.
Aldrin Federico Bahit Jr, senior statistician at the Philippine Statistics Authority, reported the figures at an economic briefing on July 17. The overall Cordillera rate fell to 6.5 percent in June from 6.8 percent in May, continuing a decline from 7.6 percent in April.
Transport costs drove much of the slowdown. Diesel inflation in the region dropped to 33.4 percent from 53.4 percent in May, while gasoline inflation eased to 40.3 percent from 49 percent. Similar drops occurred in Baguio City.
Other categories showed mixed movements. Rice prices rose to a 7.5 percent inflation rate from 6.6 percent, while rent and utilities eased slightly to 9.5 percent. Ifugao province posted the lowest rate at 3.7 percent, and Apayao recorded the highest at 15 percent.