Manila - The Philippines inflation rate in July surged to 12.2 per cent - the highest since December 1991 - amid continued increases in prices of basic commodities, the government said Tuesday.

The National Statistics Office said the July rate was up from 11.4 per cent in June. Inflation in July last year was 2.6 per cent.

"This was the highest rate since December 1991 (when the inflation rate was 13.2 per cent)," the agency said. "Higher annual inflation rates were registered in all commodity groups."

"The overall annual inflation rate for food alone further climbed to 18.6 per cent in July from 17.4 per cent in June," it added.

The July inflation rate brought to 8.3 per cent the average inflation rate for the first seven months of the year.

Last month, the Central Bank revised its forecast average inflation for the whole year to between 9 per cent and 11 per cent from between 7 per cent and 9 per cent. (dpa)