TACLOBAN CITY, June 15 -- Inflation in Eastern Visayas eased to 8.2 percent in May 2026 from 8.5 percent in April even as rice prices continued to accelerate, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office reported Monday.

PSA attributed the slight slowdown primarily to movements in food prices, but the region's overall inflation remained elevated due to faster increases in rice prices, which accelerated to 17.8 percent in May from 13.3 percent in April.

Higher inflation rates were also recorded for oils and fats, corn, bakery products, pasta, and other cereals. Lower inflation rates were observed in fish and other seafood; milk, dairy products and eggs; fruits and nuts; vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pul...