MANILA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' year-on-year headline inflation eased to 1.5 percent in November from 1.7 percent in October, bringing the national average inflation in the first 11 months to 1.6 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.
PSA data showed the continued decline in inflation was primarily due to the deflation in food prices, driven by the near-flat increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages and slower vegetable and meat inflation. These gains offset faster price increases in fish and non-food items, driven by higher electricity and personal transport costs.
In a news conference, PSA Deputy National Statistician Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia Del Prado said the downtrend in the overall inflation in November was primarily driven by the slower annual increase in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index at 0.1 percent during the month from 0.5 percent in October.
Core inflation, which excludes selected food and energy items, slowed down to 2.4 percent in November 2025 from 2.5 percent in October 2025.
In November 2024, the PSA noted a 2.5 percent core inflation rate.
Government efforts to stabilize food supply and prices contributed to the easing of headline inflation in November 2025 amid persisting global and domestic challenges, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development.
"These gains offset faster price increases in fish and non-food inflation due to higher electricity and personal transport," the agency said.
The department's Secretary Arsenio Balisacan attributed the moderation to the Marcos Administration's intensified efforts to ensure price stability through programs that strengthen food supply chains and reinforce food security.
"The sustained moderation in inflation reflects our commitment to protect consumers and strengthen our economic resilience against global and domestic headwinds," Balisacan said in a separate statement, vowing to continue implementing timely, well-coordinated policies to keep prices stable. ■