00:00The Banco Central ng Pilipinas, or BSP, projects a January 2026 inflation to fall between 1.4 to 2.2 percent,
00:08citing several upside risks that could accelerate the rate of price increases.
00:13The primary risks include jumps in the prices of key food items like rice and fish,
00:18along with rising domestic fuel costs, the annual adjustment of excise taxes for alcohol and tobacco,
00:25higher water and toll rates, and the depreciation of the peso.
00:28However, the BSP noted that these pressures could be partially offset by lower electricity charges in Meralca service areas
00:35and stabilizing vegetable prices.
00:38The central bank also assured the public it will maintain a data-dependent approach,
00:43continuing to monitor both domestic and international developments, impacting the inflation and growth outlook.
00:50BSP officials anticipate that the domestic inflation rate for the entire year will accelerate,
00:55but remain within the government's 2 to 4 percent target band.
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