ANTIQUE — Inflation in Antique increased to 3.1 percent in March 2026, up from 3.0 percent in February and a sharp rise from -0.1 percent recorded in the same month last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Antique Provincial Statistical Office.
The latest figures were based on more than 900 price quotations collected across five towns in the province, covering common commodities such as fuel, rice, agricultural produce, meat, and condiments. Inflation rates are measured against the 2018 base year.
PSA Antique attributed the uptick in inflation primarily to rising costs in the hospitality sector, transport, and housing and utilities.
The hospitality sector—which includes restaurants, cafes, and accommodation services—posted the highest increase at 15.2 percent, contributing the largest share to overall inflation.
Transport costs followed, with fuel and lubricant expenses for personal vehicles rising by 8.9 percent. Housing and utilities, including water, electricity, and fuel, also registered a 3.5 percent increase.
Meanwhile, alcoholic beverages and tobacco recorded the highest inflation rate among commodity groups at 11.4 percent.
Despite the increases, PSA noted a decline in the prices of several food items, including seafood, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, cooking oil, ready-to-eat food, as well as sugar and confectionery products.
PSA data also showed a continued decline in the purchasing power of the peso, now estimated at 75 centavos. This means that P1,000 today can only purchase around P750 worth of goods and services compared to 2018 levels.
Chief Statistical Specialist Randy Tacogdoy of PSA Antique warned that inflation may continue to accelerate if current trends persist.
“Posible mangin mas maglala pa gid, ukon mas madasig ang pagsaka kang atun inflation,” Tacogdoy said during a press conference on Tuesday.
He added that the agency is closely monitoring commodity prices for April, noting that inflation data plays a crucial role in policy-making and wage adjustments.
“Ang inflation, ginagamit sa pag-demand ukon paghimo ka desisyon sa pagbaylo ukon pagdugang sweldo kang atun mga trabahante. Makasakay pa bala ang andang mga sweldo sa mga kinahanglanon, makasuporta pa bala base sa atun inflation,” he said.
PSA records also showed that in 2023, the average annual income of an Antiqueño household was P306,640, while average expenditures reached P216,380./PN
