MALAYBALAY CITY — Bukidnon’s overall inflation rate slowed to 8.6 percent in June 2026 from 8.9 percent in May, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Bukidnon reported at a July
16 press conference.

Inflation means prices go up, so money buys less. When it stays high, families spend more on
basic needs and have less left for other expenses, according to PSA.
Food remained the province’s main driver of inflation, it added, underscoring the need to sustain
relief measures such as the Department of Agriculture’s P20-per-kilo rice program to help protect
low-income families.
Chief Statistical Specialist Maria Evangeline N. Non said that fluctuating fuel prices continue to
drive up the cost of basic commodities, keeping food, grains, and petroleum products high
despite the slight slowdown in inflation.
“The current 8.6% inflation rate is comparable to our experience during the COVID-19
pandemic, and it has even exceeded that level. Considering that this is occurring under normal
circumstances, the inflation rate is considerably high. During the pandemic, we managed to cope
with similar inflation largely because of the government’s assistance, support, and various
intervention programs,” Non said.

Emma Ravelo of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bukidnon said the agency will resume its
subsidized P20-per-kilo rice program to help shield low-income consumers from rising food
prices.
“As part of the government’s response to the rising price of rice, we are continuing the P20-per-
kilo rice program. We weren’t able to implement it in June because the NFA had a change in
management, and needed time to recalibrate. Hopefully, we will resume the program by the third
or last week of July,” Ravelo said.
PSA Bukidnon said housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels accounted for 50.9% of June’s
inflation slowdown, while transport contributed 48.5%, making them the biggest factors behind
the drop.
Rice, corn, fish and other seafood, gasoline, diesel, road passenger transport, restaurants, cafés,
and accommodation services remained the main contributors to June inflation. However, their
price increases slowed from the previous month. (Jessabel S. Achacoso/PIA-10/Bukidnon)