The Negros Island Region posted the lowest inflation rate among areas outside the National Capital Region in May 2026, even as its rate increased from the previous month, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
Based on PSA data released Friday, June 5, NIR’s inflation rose to 5.4 percent in May from 4.8 percent in April.
Despite the increase, NIR remained below the national inflation rate, which eased to 6.8 percent in May from 7.2 percent in April.
It was also lower than the 7.1 percent inflation rate recorded in areas outside NCR.
Among Visayas regions, NIR had the lowest inflation rate in May, followed by Western Visayas at 6.8 percent, Eastern Visayas at 8.2 percent, and Central Visayas at 10.8 percent.
PSA said Central Visayas recorded the highest inflation rate in the country in May at 10.8 percent, unchanged from April.
In NIR, higher annual increases were recorded in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which rose to 3.9 percent in May from 2.6 percent in April.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco also increased to 6.1 percent from 4.6 percent, while clothing and footwear rose to 6.4 percent from 4.1 percent.
Furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance also increased to 9.4 percent from 7.8 percent, while health rose to 6.8 percent from 5.6 percent.
Restaurants and accommodation services climbed to 8.5 percent from 4.9 percent, while recreation, sport, and culture rose to 9.6 percent from 8.3 percent.
Transport inflation in NIR, however, slowed to 15.3 percent in May from 18 percent in April.
Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels also eased to 2.4 percent from 3.1 percent.
Nationally, PSA said the slower inflation in May was mainly driven by the slower annual increase in transport, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.*
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