PRICES of the CNMI’s basic consumer goods have increased by as much as 1.9 percent during the first quarter of 2002 compared to the same period last year.
Higher prices of prime commercial products mean more financial difficulties for consumers and businesses, according to Sid Ogarto, the acting director of the Central Statistics Division.
The latest weighed CNMI Consumer Price Index released by the Department of Commerce showed 275.3 index points for the first quarter of 2002, as opposed to 270.1 index points during the same quarter in 2001.
It also showed a 1.5 percent increase in CPI from the preceding quarter.
Ogarto said the rise in the first quarter of 2002’s CPI resulted from a large increase in the health and recreation sector.
“We have confirmed that this sector had a large increase in prices, especially in the area of dental supplies. But all the other areas like food, transportation and apparel are stable,” said Ogarto.
The data, a copy of which was obtained by Variety on Friday, showed that the health and recreation posted 639.4 index points in the year’s first quarter—marking a 6.2 percent or 37.3 index points increase from the 602.1 index points in the first quarter of 2001.
Housing prices went up by 1.5 percent or 3.2 index points, or from 214.4 index points in the first quarter of 2001 to 217.6 index points in the first quarter of 2002.
Food prices did not change. The figure remains at 196.1 index points.
The apparel and upkeep and transportation sectors showed price decreases.
The Commerce data noted 335.1 index points for transportation, marking a 1.7 percent drop from the previous year.
