TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol— Bohol’s inflation rate dropped significantly to 0.2% in December 2025, a sharp decline from the 3.4% recorded in December 2024 and down from 1.6% in November, Philippine Statistics Authority–Bohol Chief Statistical Specialist Jessamyn Anne Alcazaren reported during the inflation briefing on Friday, January 16, 2026.
A continued trend of easing prices in the province was highlighted in the monthly conference, signaling some relief for households coping with rising costs over the past year.
The slowdown was mainly driven by lower costs in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which accounted for 78.9 percent of the deceleration.
Additionally, the report particularly cited reduced rental and electricity prices as key contributors to the downward trend, reflecting stable utility rates and more affordable housing options for many Boholano families.
Transport also played a significant role in the decline, posting -3.7 percent deflation, largely due to a sharp drop in passenger transport by sea and inland waterways, which eased commuting costs for residents and supported overall household spending.
Meanwhile, inflationary pressure persisted in vegetables, tubers, and plantains, which surged from 9.6 percent to 28.6 percent, contributing 0.57 percentage point to overall inflation.
This spike reflects seasonal and market fluctuations in agricultural produce, affecting consumer prices in local markets. Rice prices continued to decline at -12.2 percent, remaining a key factor in easing the cost of living, especially for low-income households, who rely heavily on staple grains as part of their daily diet.
As noted by PSA-Bohol Chief Statistical Specialist Alcazaren, they remain hopeful that the trend in rice prices for 2026 will stay stable, though it will depend on imports and local supply in the province.
𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄. Bohol’s inflation rate dropped significantly to 0.2% in December 2025, a sharp decline from the 3.4% recorded in December 2024 and down from 1.6% in November, Philippine Statistics Authority–Bohol Chief Statistical Specialist Jessamyn Anne Alcazaren reported during the inflation briefing on Friday, January 16, 2026. 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗜𝗠𝗢/𝗛𝗧𝗔
For the full year 2025, Bohol recorded an average inflation rate of 1.7 percent, indicating that despite occasional price increases in certain goods, the province maintained a relatively stable economic environment throughout the year.
PSA-Bohol also underscored the ongoing field operations for the January 2026 Labor Force Survey (LFS) and 2025 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) Visit 2, which aim to gather comprehensive data on employment, household income, and spending patterns.
These surveys provide vital information to guide policymakers and ensure that economic programs are responsive to the needs of Boholano families.
The Provincial Government of Bohol, under the leadership of Gov. Aris Aumentado, continues to pursue its Strategic Change Agenda on food security and sustainable agriculture.
By monitoring inflation trends and leveraging survey insights, the province ensures that essential goods remain affordable, supports household resilience, and strengthens economic stability, all while maintaining its distinction as the Philippines’ first and only UNESCO Global Geopark. (PIMO/MFM)
