The annual average CPI in 2019 was recorded at 121.0 for Davao Region. This implies that the cost of a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by a typical Filipino household in Davao Region was at an average annual price of Php121.0 (see Table 1).

The annual regional average inflation went down to 2.5 percent in 2019 compared to 5.6 percent in 2018. The monthly inflation rate for Davao Region in 2019 has a downward trend and picked up during November and December. The highest monthly inflation during the year was registered in January at 4.7 percent while the lowest was in October at negative -0.7 percent.

Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco has the highest increase with 7.9 percent among price indices (158.9 to 171.6); followed by Health (116.8 to 123.2); Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House (115.6 to 121.2); Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (120.1 to 125.3); Recreation and Culture (115.9 to 120.9); Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels (116.7 to 121.4); Clothing and Footwear (121.8 to 125.8); Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (120.1 to 121.4); Education (119.6 to 120.7); Transport (104.6 to 105.4); and Communication with the least increase 0.7 percent in price index (102.1 to 102.8).

• Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

In 2019, the annual average inflation of food and non-alcoholic beverages index in Davao Region further decreased to 1.1 percent from 6.2 percent in 2018. Lower annual average rates in food and non-alcoholic beverages index were posted in the four provinces with Davao del Sur exhibiting the highest rate of 1.7 percent. Meanwhile, Davao Oriental recorded the lowest rate of -0.6 percent

• Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

The annual average inflation of alcoholic beverages and tobacco index slowed down by 8.0 percent in 2019 from 14.0 percent in 2018. The highest annual average rate of the group's index during the year was registered in Compostela Valley at 14.6 percent while the lowest at 4.1 percent was observed in Davao Oriental.

• Clothing and Footwear

The annual average movement of clothing and footwear index in the region went down by 3.3 percent from 3.7 percent in 2018. Among the provinces, Davao del Norte had the lowest annual average rate at 2.0 percent while the highest was in Davao Oriental at 4.6 percent

• Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels

The region’s annual average inflation for Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels went down by 4.0 percent compared to 5.5 percent during the previous year. Davao del Sur registered the highest rate at 5.3 percent while Davao del Norte had the lowest at 1.2 percent.

• Furnishing, Household Equipment, and Routine Maintenance of the House

The annual average increase in the index of furnishing, household equipment, and routine maintenance of the house in Davao Region was higher at 4.8 percent from 4.0 percent in 2018. Davao Oriental posted the highest annual average rate at 5.3 percent while Davao del Norte registered the lowest annual average rate at 3.1 percent.

• Health

On average, charges for medical and hospital services were higher in 2019 compared with 2018. Thus, the annual average inflation of the health index in Davao Region accelerated to 5.5 percent during the year. The highest annual average growth of 7.6 percent was seen in Davao del Norte while the lowest at 1.8 percent was observed in Davao Oriental.

• Transport

The annual average growth of the transport index in Davao Region went down by 0.8 percent after posting a 7.1 percent annual average in 2018. The highest annual average rate during the period at 2.1 percent was posted in Compostela Valley while the lowest at -0.4 percent was observed in Davao Oriental.

• Communication

The communication index in the region registered a lower annual average growth of 0.7 percent in 2019 compared to 1.2 percent in 2018. Among the provinces, the highest annual average rate at 1.1 percent was seen in Davao del Sur while the lowest was in Davao del Norte.

• Recreation and Culture

In 2019, the annual average inflation in the recreation and culture index in Davao Region increased by 4.3 percent. The highest annual average gain of 4.9 percent was seen in Davao del Sur while the lowest at 2.7 percent was in Davao Oriental. The annual average for Compostela Valley and Davao del Sur lowered by 3.5 percent compared to 4.3 percent in 2018, and 3.1 percent compared to 3.5 percent, respectively.

• Education

The annual average inflation of the education index in Davao Region recorded at 0.9 percent in 2019 was higher compared to 0.6 in 2018. The lowest annual average change during the year was noticed in Davao Oriental at -10.5 percent while the highest was seen in Compostela Valley at 10.9 percent.

• Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods and Services

The annual average inflation of restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services index in 2019 went down by 4.3 percent from 4.4 percent in 2018. The lowest annual average inflation of the group’s index at 3.1 percent was posted in Davao del Norte while the highest at 5.0 percent was seen in Davao del Sur.

Approved for Release:

(Chief Statistical Specialist)

OIC-Regional Director

PSA - RSSO 11