TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 16 -- Eastern Visayas keeps a 0.6 percent record-low inflation rate (IR) from January to November 2025, way below the regional development plan target, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, PSA Region 8 chief statistical specialist Mae Almonte said the low inflation is good for low-income families but a huge setback to businessmen.

"If people have less income, they spend less, resulting in low demand for goods and services. This keeps the regional inflation rate low, and this signals a weak economy," Almonte said.

The region started the year with 1.3 percent IR in January. The monthly figure consistently declined from 1.1 percent in February to 0.4 percent in May. It w...