This Dec. 28, 2020 file photo shows shoppers checking out round fruits at an unidentified market in Quezon City. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said on December 29 inflation could have decelerated to 2.9 percent or accelerated to 3.7 percent this month on higher food prices, among others. (Photo by Ruy L. Martinez)
Higher oil and food prices, lower power rates, subdued rice prices, and a strong peso could have slowed the country’s headline inflation to 2.9 percent or picked up to 3.7 percent this month from 3.3 percent in November, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Tuesday.