The Philippines recorded in April the highest inflation rate in the last three years due to spikes in fuel prices and other commodities caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

In a press conference by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Tuesday, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa said headline inflation rate accelerated to 7.2 percent in April from 4.1 percent in the previous month, which brought the year-to-date inflation rate to 3.9 percent.

"The 7.2 inflation rate recorded this April 2026 is the highest since March 2023, when the inflation rate during that time was recorded at 7.6 percent, so that is around 3 years," said Mapa.

The April inflation surpassed the central bank’s forecast of 5.6 to 6.4 percent. It added that Jan-April inflation averaged 3.9 percent, exceeding the 2026 target of 3 percent.

According to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) the higher inflation was primarily due to the faster increase in non-food and food inflation.

Non-food inflation rose to 8.2 percent in April from 4.9 percent, driven by the sharp rise in the operating costs of private transport to 65.8 percent from 31.4 percent.

Inflation in electricity, gas, and other fuels reached 16.9 percent from 7.5 percent, while food inflation also accelerated (6.1 percent from 2.7 percent), as rice inflation rose to 13.7 percent (from 3.5 percent) alongside faster inflation in fish (9.4 percent from 6.6 percent) and vegetables (10.4 percent from 7 percent).

Mapa said the top five contributors to the overall inflation in April were led by rice, followed by gasoline, diesel, LPG, and restaurants.

DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said "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".

“ Our priority is to ensure stable fuel supply, manageable prices, and adequate protection for all sectors amid ongoing domestic and global challenges,” he added. Robina Asido/PHS