“Hinay-hinay muna sa paggastos” – PSA-CAR official reminds Cordillerans to be mindful of spending amid inflation, fluctuating prices

Baguio City, Philippines – The Regional Statistics Service Office–Cordillera (RSSO-CAR) has urged Cordillerans to be more cautious with their spending habits as the region’s inflation rate slightly decreased to 2.2 percent in September 2025, down from 4.1 percent in January, reflecting a 1.9% decline.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority–Cordillera (PSA-CAR) inflation report released on October 13, the recorded rates for 2025 were as follows: 4.1% in January, 2.5% in February, 2.3% in March, 2.0% in April, 2.5% in May, 2.0% in June, 1.4% in July, 2.2% in August, and 2.2% in September. For comparison, the inflation rate in September 2024 was 1.2%.

Despite the current manageable inflation rate, Chief Statistical Specialist Aldrin Bahit of PSA-CAR reminded the public to control their spending.

“Our overall inflation rate is healthy, pero wag lang tayong masyadong mataas dahil hindi maganda yun, especially for consumers. Of course, when it comes to our spending pattern, hinay-hinay sa paggastos. It’s better to put some money into our savings first. That way, we grow our wealth and strengthen the economy when we invest,” Bahit said.

Bahit emphasized that food and non-alcoholic beverages continue to be the main drivers of inflation, contributing the largest share to the region’s rate.

“According to our report, prices of meat products increased by around 9 percent, while fish products recorded double-digit growth at 10.6 percent. Vegetable prices, on the other hand, rose by 18.4 percent,” he explained.

When asked why Baguio City experienced a higher increase in inflation compared to other provinces, Bahit attributed it to consumer demand and limited supply.

“We first look at consumer demand and supply. Most vegetables come from Benguet, especially highland crops, while others come from nearby lowland areas. So when supply is low and demand goes up, prices rise. Particularly in Baguio, which is a tourist area, prices tend to increase as more people buy,” Bahit noted.

Bahit also discussed the possible inflation trend in the coming months, saying prices may continue to rise slightly during the holiday season as consumer spending increases.

“There’s usually more spending during the fourth quarter, especially during the holidays. When people spend more on goods and services, demand rises, pushing prices higher. We’re hoping that the increase won’t be too steep. The best way to mitigate this is to ensure a steady supply of goods to offset the rapid price hike caused by higher demand,” he added.