Inflation speeds up to 7.2% in April 2026

Inflation rate accelerated to its fastest in three years in April 2026 as higher global fuel prices brought about by the Middle East petroleum crisis spilled over to food, local petroleum, and utilities costs during the period.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, National Statistician and PSA chief Claire Dennis Mapa said inflation — the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services — accelerated to 7.2% last month from 4.1% in March 2026 and 1.4% in April 2025.

This was the fastest inflation print since March 2023, when the inflation rate clocked in at 7.6%.

April’s inflation brought the year-to-date rate to 3.9%, still within the 2% to 4% comfortable ceiling set by the government for the entire 2026.

“Ang pangunahing dahilan ng mas mataas na antas ng inflation nitong Abril 2026 kumpara noong Marso 2026 ay ang mas mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages na may 6% inflation rate,” Mapa said.

(The main contributor to the increase in inflation rate in April 2026 compared to March 2026 was the faster hike in the prices of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages which posted a 6% inflation rate.)

Also contributing to the uptrend of the overall inflation in April 2026 was the faster annual increases seen in the Transport index at 21.4% in from 9.9% in March as well as the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels at 8.2% during the month from 4.7% in the previous month.

Moreover, faster increment were likewise seen in the indices of the following commodity groups last month:

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco - 4.8% from 3.7%
• Clothing and footwear - 2.8% from 2.6%
• Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance - 3.5% from 3.1%
• Health - 3.8% from 3.4%
• Information and communication - 0.9% from 0.7%
• Recreation, sport and culture - 4.9% from 4.7%
• Restaurants and accommodation services - 6% from 5%
• Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services - 3.3% from 2.9%

Food inflation

Food inflation, which tracks the price movements of food items in a “basket” commonly purchased by household, soared to 6.1% from 2.7% month-on-month driven primarily by the faster increase in rice inflation at 13.7% from 3.5% in March 2026.

Faster increments were also seen in corn (21% from 12.3%), flour and other bakery products (3% from 2.5%), fish and other seafood (9.4% from 6.6%), fruits and nuts (6% from 4.7%), vegetables (10.4% from 7%), and ready-made food (2.5% from 2.4%).

Ramped up efforts

In a separate statement, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that “amid the Middle East conflict disrupting fuel supply chains, the government is intensifying targeted interventions, particularly to temper upward price pressures on food, energy, and transport, while ensuring the continued stability of domestic supply.”

Balisacan highlighted the importance of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) as the government’s comprehensive and whole-of-government response framework to the unfolding situation.

In line with the UPLIFT, the Department of Energy (DOE) continuously seeks alternative energy sources while developing local capacity to secure a stable fuel supply.

As of April 24, 2026, a total of 2.91 billion liters of fuel supply has been secured, with 1.305 billion liters scheduled for delivery, equivalent to 54 days of inventory.

Moreover, targeted support is being provided to vulnerable and affected sectors, according to the DEPDev chief.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is implementing a Service Contracting Program to assist transport operators and drivers through fare discounts and per-trip subsidies.

The DEPDev chief said that as of April 24, 2026, 1.11 million drivers had received financial assistance.

Likewise, as of April 27, 2026, there have also been 366,009 fuel subsidy recipients and 2.36 million commuters who received 20% fare discounts.

Moreover, financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk is being extended through dedicated programs, including the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) suspension of loan repayments of up to one year under the Survival and Recovery Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and the piloting of a lower-cost fertilization protocol to reduce reliance on urea, a key petroleum-based input in rice production.

Additionally, 787 Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites and price support outlets have been established to connect consumers directly to farmers and producers for lower-priced rice and other essential food products.

“We remain committed to a whole-of-government approach in addressing the impact of the Middle East crisis. Our priority is to ensure stable fuel supply, manageable prices, and adequate protection for all sectors amid ongoing domestic and global challenges,” Balisacan said. — RSJ, GMA News