RESTAURANTS, including cafes, eateries, and fast-food shops, saw a 4.1-percent inflation in January, up 2.6 percent in December 2025, making them one of the main drivers of acceleration, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday, February 5.
Usec. Dennis Mapa, national statistician and civil registrar general, said there was a substantial increase in the prices of cooked meals, particularly meat-based viands such as adobo and pork sinigang.
“Karamihan dito ay ‘yung mga binibili na pagkain na luto na sa cafeterias, mga karinderya. May malalaking pagtaas talaga para doon sa meals na kinukunsumo,” Mapa said.
“Like for example, lalo na involving meat, pork, medyo may substantial na pagtaas kaya nagkaroon tayo ng malaking increase dito sa ating restaurants and accommodation services,” he added.
Mapa said, “For example, ‘yung lunch typical na sinigang na baboy with rice may increase sya na mga 10 percent. ‘Yung adobo na pork with rice and softdrinks may increase na 14 percent,” Mapa said.
Carinderia owner Lisa Opina said she, in fact, recently increased prices of viand with pork as the main ingredient, such as adobo, sinigang, and nilaga.
“Nagbabalak na rin ako magtaas ng presyo kasi mataas na ngayon lahat ng bilihin, tubig, kuryente. Pero mga delivery ko, nagtaas ako ng konti. Nagdagdag lang ako ng five pesos, dating 70 ngayon 75 na,” Opina said.
Mapa said that while pork prices have been maintained, the costs of other inputs may have caused the increase.
“Ang nakikita namin of course tumataas yung raw material din lalo karne ng baboy, tumataas din yung mga energy. Maybe renta kasi renta sa place tumaas din,” Mapa said. “Plus maybe ‘yung wages.”
Cathy Igtanloc, another carinderia owner, said her landlord increased her monthly rental by as much as P2,500 at the start of the year, aside from increases in the cost of utilities such as power and water.
However, she said she was unlikely to raise the prices of her viands.
“‘Pag nagtaas kami maapektuhan rin mga customer namin. Pare-papreho kaming maapektuhan. Bawas kita na lang,” Igtanloc said.
Mapa said behavioral change may have pushed more consumers to turn to buying food from eateries and fast-food restaurants.
He was quick to add that home-cooked meals may be a better option to save on cost. (GMA Integrated News)
