Top: Participants of the PressCon; Bottom, from left: (1) Engr. Girme Bayucan (OIC), during his presentation on May 2025 Inflation; and (2) Ms. Maria Elena Madriaga, Bank Officer IV, sharing her insights.  

09 June 2025 – TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN. The Philippine Statistics Authority - Regional Statistical Services Office II (PSA-RSSO II) reported the May 2025 Inflation Report via a press conference on 09 June 2025 at the PSA-RSSO II Conference Hall, Regional Government Center (RGC), Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City.

The event was attended by representatives from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – Tuguegarao Branch (BSP-Tug), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Regional Office 02 (DEPDev RO2), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 02 (DA RFO2), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Cagayan Valley. Also present were Chief Statistical Specialists and staff from Provincial Statistical Offices across the region, as well as personnel from the PSA Central Office, highlighting the broad institutional  support and collaborative effort behind the event.

Engr. Girme M. Bayucan, Officer-in-Charge of PSA-RSSO II, presented the May 2025 Inflation Report, revealing a regional inflation rate of 1.7 percent, a decline from 2.0 percent in April. The decrease was largely driven by slower price increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages.

During the open forum, concerns were raised about the low buying prices of farmers' produce. Mr. Arvin Tumanguil of DA RFO2 discussed proposed programs such as KADIWA and Benteng Bigas, which aim to improve food accessibility and stabilize market prices. Meanwhile, Ms. Rizza Andres from DEPDev RO2 highlighted the potential strategy of allowing 25 percent fish importation to ease pressure on local fisheries and help stabilize commodity prices. She also emphasized that these efforts align with the Regional Development Plan’s target of maintaining regional inflation within the 2–4 percent range.

The press conference was streamed live on the official Facebook page, PSA Cagayan Valley – Region 2, making the reports accessible to the general public and stakeholders across the region.

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

EMDP/MJCC/MLLP/EKG