THE annual growth rate of the general retail price index (GRPI) in Metro Manila slowed down to 1.2 percent in September, compared to 1.4 percent in August 2024, and 3.6 percent in September 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

'The primary contributor to the deceleration... was the faster annual decrease recorded in the index of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials,' the report said, noting the aforementioned price index decreased at 7.5 percent in September 2024 from 1.6 percent the previous month.