BUKIDNON — Bukidnon households got some relief from rising prices in July as inflation slowed to 6.8 percent, down sharply from 8.6 percent in June, according to the latest price data.
The 1.8-percentage-point drop was driven largely by lower fuel and transport costs, cheaper sea freight and easing prices of vegetables across Northern Mindanao.
Despite the slowdown, Bukidnon still recorded the third-highest inflation rate in Region 10, remaining above the regional average of 6.4 percent.
Lanao del Norte posted the highest inflation at 8.3 percent, followed by Iligan City at 7.9 percent. Cagayan de Oro City recorded 4.8 percent, while Camiguin had the lowest at 4 percent.
Fuel, transport costs lead slowdown
Transportation was the biggest factor behind the easing of price pressures, accounting for about 40 percent of the region’s overall decline in inflation.
Regional gasoline inflation fell to 36.5 percent in July from 42.9 percent in June. Inflation in sea and inland waterway transport also dropped sharply, from 22.5 percent to 7.7 percent.
Lower transport costs could provide further relief to Bukidnon consumers by reducing the cost of moving farm products and other goods to markets.
Food prices also showed mixed but generally softer pressures.
Inflation for meat slowed to 2.4 percent from 3.5 percent, while vegetable prices fell further, with inflation moving from -2.8 percent to -3.3 percent.
Rice and other cereals, however, remained a major burden on households. Inflation for the group eased only slightly, from 16.7 percent to 16.4 percent.
LPG prices also ease
Housing and utilities inflation dropped to 6.1 percent, helped by a significant slowdown in cooking gas prices.
LPG inflation fell from 30 percent in June to 20.7 percent in July, offering some relief to households still dealing with elevated food and utility expenses.
Still, Bukidnon’s 6.8 percent inflation means consumers continue to face substantially higher prices than a year earlier.
The July figure also reflects a base effect from July 2025, when the region recorded a -0.6 percent inflation rate. The unusually low figure last year makes the year-on-year comparison appear higher even as some prices begin to stabilize.
For Bukidnon families, the latest figures point to easing price pressures—but food staples such as rice remain a significant concern as households manage their daily budgets.
