Educational Expenses Drive Inflation Surge in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — The reopening of classes has significantly influenced the inflation rates in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, according to the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday. The report highlights a notable increase in educational expenses as schools commence the new academic year.

According to Philippines News Agency, PSA-Negros Occidental supervising statistical specialist Diesah Biaoco during a press briefing, the spike in the cost of education services is primarily due to schools updating their tuition and miscellaneous fees in anticipation of the new school year. “The education commodity group showed an increase that is because classes are about to open,” Biaoco explained. She noted that July, being the enrolment season for elementary, high school, and college levels, often sees an uptick in educational costs, stating, “Compared to last year, the school fees are higher this year.”

In Negros Occidental, the inflation rate for education services soared to 16.4 percent in July 2024, up from 6.0 percent in the same month last year, contributing 35.1 percent to the overall inflation uptrend. Detailed data shows varying inflation rates within educational sectors: tertiary education inflation stood at 12.3 percent, secondary education at 24.8 percent, and early childhood and primary education at 9.9 percent. These figures represent significant increases from the previous year.

In Bacolod City, the situation mirrors this trend but with even higher rates. Education services marked a 24.9 percent contribution to the city’s inflation, with an inflation rate of 19.8 percent for July this year, compared to 17.2 percent last year. More specifically, the inflation rate for tertiary education was at 28 percent, secondary education at 11.6 percent, and early childhood and primary education at 13.8 percent.

Besides education, other significant contributors to the inflation in Negros Occidental include food and non-alcoholic beverages at 33.9 percent, and transport at 14.4 percent. In Bacolod City, restaurants and accommodation services topped the list with a 58.7 percent contribution to the inflation, followed by transport at 13.4 percent.

This increase in educational costs amid the reopening of schools has placed a considerable strain on households, aligning with broader economic trends affecting the region’s cost of living.