October inflation to settle within 2%–2.8% — BSP

INFLATION FORECAST. A meat stall in Quinta Market, Quiapo sells various cuts of pork meat in this photo taken on Oct. 15, 2024. In its month-ahead inflation forecast issued on Thursday (Oct. 31) the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said that the lower prices of meat would likely offset the upward price pressures in October. (Photo courtesy of Yancy Lim/PNA)

By Brian Campued

The headline inflation in the country is projected to settle within the range of 2.0% to 2.8% in October, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced Thursday.

This month-ahead inflation forecast by the BSP is the same as its projection for September. 

To recall, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that headline inflation decelerated to a four-year low in September, easing to 1.9%—the lowest record since May 2020.

For October, the central bank said higher prices of food commodities such as vegetables, fruits, and fish, the increase in prices of domestic petroleum products, and the depreciation of the Philippine peso will primarily contribute to the upward price pressures for the month.

However, BSP noted, the lower prices of rice and meat along with reduced electricity rates are expected to offset these upward pressures.

“Going forward, the Monetary Board will continue to take a measured approach in ensuring price stability conducive to balanced and sustainable growth of the economy and employment,” it stated.

—iro

Popular

WALANG PASOK: Class suspensions for July 22 due to inclement weather

Classes and government work in the following areas have been suspended on Tuesday, July 22, due to the impact of the southwest monsoon...

WALANG PASOK: Class suspensions for July 21 due to inclement weather

Classes in the following areas have been suspended on Monday, July 21, due to the impact of the southwest monsoon (habagat). Here is the...

PBBM: Bilateral trade ‘top priority’ in U.S. visit

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Prior to his departure for Washington, D.C. Sunday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivered a departure speech at the Villamor Air...

DSWD releases P4.1M in initial aid to families affected by ‘Crising’

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided more than P4.1 million worth of humanitarian...