BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 23 -- Inflation in the Caraga region accelerated to 1.3 percent in September, driven primarily by higher housing and transport costs, the regional office of the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Thursday.

The September figure is higher than the 0.6 percent rate in August and the 1 percent rate recorded in September 2024.

The PSA 13 (Caraga) said the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels group was the main contributor, with inflation rising to 6.7 percent from 3.9 percent the previous month. This group accounted for 73.8 percent of the region's total inflation increase.

"Within this group, the main drivers of inflation were the increase in actual rentals and electricity prices, which rose to 8.2 perc...