Provincial Inflation Rates Slow Down as Transport Costs Decrease

A PNA report shows, consumer price growth in La Union and Pangasinan slowed down in June 2026 due to a decrease in transport costs and stable fuel prices, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In La Union, the pace of price increases eased to 6.0 percent in June from 6.3 percent in May. Dr. Danites Teñido, the chief statistical specialist for PSA La Union, stated that the primary driver for this slowdown was the cheaper cost of transportation, which dropped to 14.8 percent from 18.8 percent the previous month.

According to Dr. Teñido, several other key sectors in La Union contributed to the slower price growth:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages eased to 7.7 percent from 7.8 percent.
• Household furnishings and maintenance slowed to 3.6 percent from 3.7 percent.
• Education services dropped slightly to 11.9 percent from 12.1 percent.

Meanwhile, neighboring Pangasinan saw its rate drop to 4.8 percent in June from 5.6 percent in May. Verna Palsimon, the supervising statistical specialist for PSA Pangasinan, noted that transport cost growth in the province also fell significantly to 16.2 percent from 20.7 percent.

Kathleen Irah Magaliao, a senior economic development specialist at the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), explained that the decline across both provinces stems from lower international oil prices and a steady supply of goods. However, she cautioned that officials are closely monitoring global oil markets, as prices are expected to rise again in the coming months.

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SOURCE: PNA