TACLOBAN CITY — Rising fuel and food costs pushed inflation higher across Eastern Visayas in March 2026, with Samar emerging as the hardest hit area while the region placed fifth highest in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Data released by the PSA-8 showed that Eastern Visayas recorded a 4.8 percent inflation rate in March, a significant jump from 3.4 percent in February and above the national average of 4.1 percent.
Samar posted the steepest increase in the region at 7.6 percent, reflecting continued pressure on household budgets due to higher prices of basic goods and services. It was followed by Biliran and Northern Samar, both at 5.7 percent.
Other areas in the region posted lower rates: Eastern Samar at 4.3 percent, Tacloban City at 4.1 percent, Leyte at 3.8 percent, and Southern Leyte recording the lowest inflation at 2.9 percent.
PSA officials identified transport as the primary driver of the uptick, citing rising fuel prices that increased logistics and distribution costs across the island provinces.
The surge in petroleum prices has had a cascading effect on commodity prices, particularly in geographically dispersed areas that rely heavily on inter-island transport.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages remained the biggest contributor to inflation, accounting for 2.63 percentage points of the regional figure. Prices of staple goods such as rice, vegetables, and fish continued to rise, further tightening household spending.
Economic agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA), noted that elevated transport and logistics costs continue to affect retail prices, especially for goods moving from Tacloban to coastal and remote areas of Eastern Samar where fuel costs further push up final prices.
Officials said they will continue monitoring price movements as part of ongoing efforts to manage inflationary pressures in the region.
(RICARDO TODIO, JR., LNU STUDENT INTERN)
