LEGAZPI CITY, July 9 -- Inflation in the Bicol Region slightly accelerated to 7.6 percent in June, up from 7.4 percent in May, driven mainly by higher housing-related costs and food prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Thursday.

In a press conference, PSA-5 Regional Director Cynthia Perdiz said the increase was largely attributed to faster price movements in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which posted an inflation rate of 11.2 percent and accounted for 51.7 percent of the overall inflation uptrend.

Under the housing commodity group, electricity recorded an inflation rate of 11.6 percent, while rentals increased by 7.5 percent.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages also contributed to higher inflatio...