Eastern Visayas showing signs of economic stability?
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, June 2025 inflation report for Eastern Visayas indicates a modest increase in consumer prices, with the region’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising from 124.4 in May to 125.0, resulting in a year-on-year inflation rate of 0.7 percent—one of the lowest nationwide.
This subdued inflation indicates the region's relative price stability, positioning Eastern Visayas as the seventh least inflationary region in the Philippines.
The main factor behind the slight uptick was the food and non-alcoholic beverages sector, which showed a negligible annual price change of -0.2 percent—down from the 0.9 percent decline in May.
However, specific food groups contributed to rising costs, notably meat prices soaring by 9.4 percent, seafood by 8.0 percent, and vegetables by 9.2 percent.
These increases reflect supply chain challenges and seasonal factors impacting essential food items. Despite these upward pressures, the overall food index saw a slight decrease, primarily due to significant price drops in cereal products like rice, which declined by 14.4 percent annually, pointing to stable rice production and surplus.
Transport costs also stabilized, with the inflation rate (IR) for transportation narrowing from -2.8 percent in May to -1.6 percent in June, suggesting a leveling off in fuel and transit expenses.
Meanwhile, the services sector, especially restaurants and accommodation, experienced a mild inflation of 1.1 percent, indicating a gradual recovery in tourism and hospitality sectors.
Regionally, inflation varied: Northern Samar recorded the highest IR at 2.8 percent, driven by food price increases, while Samar and Southern Leyte experienced deflation, with IRs of -0.1 percent and -1.3 percent, respectively. Tacloban City maintained a low IR of 0.3 percent, reflecting relative price stability in urban areas.
Compared to the national IR of 2.6 percent, Eastern Visayas's subdued inflation aligns with broader regional disparities. Overall, the region’s inflation remains manageable, with food price fluctuations being the main source of variation.
To maintain price stability and economic resilience during regional and national shifts, policymakers should prioritize stabilizing food supply chains and transportation costs.
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