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By Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo,
Reporter
PHILIPPINE factory output rose to
its highest level this year in July due to increases in
the production of a number of industries.
In its Monthly Integrated Survey
of Selected Industries, the National Statistics Office (NSO)
reported that the manufacturing sector’s Volume of Production
Index (VoPI) grew by 8.1 percent from 0.90 percent in the same
period last year.
July’s expansion is the highest
recorded so far this year, after the manufacturing sector growth
slowed to 5 percent in June from a 7.5-percent and 8-percent rise in
April and May, respectively.
The NSO said that the higher
production this month was triggered by an increase in output in
nine sectors, led by chemical products (excluding plastic products),
non-metallic mineral products, and tobacco products.
Increases were also registered in
the manufacture of leather products, clothing, basic metals, rubber
and plastics, food and beverages.
However, 11 sectors suffered a
dip in production. The losers were led by machinery (except
electrical), textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, petroleum
products and transport equipment.
The higher volume overall managed
to increase the Value of Production Index, which accelerated to
13.90 percent from a year ago.
The Value of Net Sales Index and
the Volume of Net Sales Index likewise grew to 13.30 percent and
8.50 percent, respectively.
The NSO said that the sample of
manufacturing respondents registered operated with a capacity
utilization that averaged 81.6 percent, slightly higher than the
previous month’s 81.1 percent.
The proportion of establishments
that operated at full capacity accounted for 11.10 percent. More
than half or 59.40 percent of the establishments operated at 70
percent to 89 percent capacity, while 29.50 percent operated below
70-percent capacity.
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