MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Inflation in the Philippines rose to 2.5 percent in February from an 18-month low of 2.4 percent the previous month on increases in fuel prices and other utilities, according to the Philippine Statistic Authority.
The current figure was within last month's forecast by the country's central bank of 2.2 percent to 3 percent.
Without food and oil prices, core inflation rose to 2.5 percent in February from 2.2 percent in January.
"Inflation over the policy horizon is seen to remain manageable, " Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. of the central bank said in a text message to reporters.
"While we see the stance of policy still appropriate at this time, we continue to watch global developments, including possible strong reversals in oil price trends and changes in investor sentiment which could create market volatilities and affect inflation expectations," Tetangco said.
Inflation rose in the National Capitol Region (NCR) to 2.2 percent in February from 1.5 percent in January.