By Marcelo M. Pedalino

 

 

MAASIN CITY, Philippines — The inflation rate in Southern Leyte slightly decreased to `++8.5% in July 2026 from 8.8% in June, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) provincial office.

Chief Statistical Specialist Eutemio A. Llevado Jr., PSA provincial head, presented the data during the monthly press conference held at the PSA Training Room on August 13.

Despite the decline, Llevado said Southern Leyte remained among the provinces in Eastern Visayas with the highest inflation rates, along with Biliran, Northern Samar, and Samar.

According to the PSA, the three major commodity groups that contributed significantly to Southern Leyte’s inflation in July were food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels; and transport.

Inflation among the bottom 30% income households also decreased slightly to 9.4% in July from 9.5% in June.

The PSA data provides a snapshot of price movements of goods and services in the province, helping local stakeholders monitor household spending and residents’ living conditions.

The latest inflation data also serves as a guide for policymakers in developing measures to cushion the impact of inflation, particularly on vulnerable sectors of the community. (MMP/PIA Southern Leyte with reports from Gevic Epiz/Radyo Pilipinas)