The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Negros Oriental said inflation in the province rose in February, compared to the previous month, an official said on Monday, March 16..
PSA Negros Oriental provincial director and chief statistician officer Ariel Fortuito said that the increase was also slightly higher compared to the same period last year.
“The inflation rate in Negros Oriental for February 2026 is pegged at 1.8 percent versus the previous month, which was at 0.8 percent,” Fortuito said.
Meanwhile, the inflation rate in February 2025 was 0.2 percent.
The main drivers for the acceleration of last month’s inflation were the commodity groups: 1) food and non-alcoholic beverages at 69.4 percent; and 2) housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 29.4 percent.
Fortuito said the rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict are not yet reflected in last month’s inflation rate as the war in that region had just started.
“We would be feeling and seeing the effects of the Middle East crisis, particularly on fuel price hikes, by next month and onwards,” he added.
He hopes that the conflict in the Gulf region would not escalate further as it would mean a corresponding price increase in basic goods and commodities in the province.*
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