Manila, Sept. 9 -- Inflation in Western Visayas accelerated to 8.4 percent in August from 7.8 percent in July, making the region's rate the fourth highest in the country, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Wednesday.

PSA Western Visayas Director Nelida Amolar said the region's August inflation rate was up from its previous ranking among the eighth to 11th highest in the country.

"We are fourth highest in inflation compared with other regions," Amolar said during a briefing.

The August rate brought the region's average inflation for the first eight months of the year to 5.6 percent.

Three commodity groups were among the main drivers of the acceleration: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, which rose to 8.9 per...