From left: (1): Engr. Girme M. Bayucan (OIC), during his presentation on the February 2025 Inflation Report; (2) Participants of the PressCon.

10 March 2025 - TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN. The Philippine Statistics Authority - Regional Statistical Services Office II (PSA-RSSO II) conducted the Press Conference on the February 2025 Inflation on 10 March 2025 at PSA-RSSO II Conference Hall, Regional Government Center (RGC), Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The press conference was attended by representatives from key Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) namely Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - Tuguegarao Branch (BSP-Tug), National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office 02 (NEDA RO2), Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office 02 (DTI RO2), Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 02 (DOLE RO2), and Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 02 (DA RFO2). Also present during the activity are reporters from Bombo Radyo and Balitang Solid North.

Engr. Girme M. Bayucan, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of PSA-RSSO II, presented the inflation report of the Cagayan Valley Region for February 2025 that includes headline inflation rate across commodities and commodity groups.

During the open forum, Ms. Rizza T. Andres, Senior Development Specialist of the Policy Formulations and the Planning Division (PFPD) from NEDA RO2 shared that the government has implemented several interagency measures to address the rice emergency, focusing on price monitoring and stabilizing supply. “These efforts complement initiatives to boost local production, aiming to ease inflationary pressures and ensure food security. Authorities are also carefully managing agricultural importation to balance domestic supply without undermining local farmers. With these strategies in place, the government seeks to mitigate the impact on consumers while sustaining the agricultural sector” Ms. Andres added.

Also, Atty. Angie Gumaru, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Division Chief from DTI RO2 cited the significant changes in prices of bottled water across provinces bolstering the higher inflation in Cagayan, as the agency continues its price monitoring efforts. Atty Gumaru further commented that in the case of Quirino province, inflation remains lower because of its proximity to Santiago City, a major commercial hub that helps stabilize supply of basic necessities in the area while reports on the damaged port where supplies are being unloaded for Batanes triggered delayed arrival of supplies and might have driven higher inflation in the province. Additionally, Atty. Vanessa Abella from BSP discussed the dollar trend, emphasizing its fluctuations, and overall economic stability in the region.

The presscon was broadcasted on the agency’s official Facebook page, PSA Cagayan Valley – Region 2.

ENGR. GIRME M. BAYUCAN
(Chief Statistical Specialist)
Officer-In-Charge, PSA-RSSO II

EMDP/MJCC/MLLP/EKG