Manufacturing Sector Posts Strong Growth In Q1 Despite March 2016 Slowdown
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
May 11, 2016
The manufacturing sector?s output recorded a strong growth in the first quarter of the year despite the slow pace posted in March 2016, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
In the Philippine Statistics Authority?s Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries for March 2016, the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) grew by 7.8 percent, a slowdown from the 11.2-percent growth posted in the previous month. This is also slower than the 14.9-percent growth recorded in the same month last year
On the other hand, the Value of Production Index (VaPI) recorded a 1.9 percent growth in March, picking up from the 5.6 percent decline recorded in the previous month.
?We attribute first quarter growth to robust manufacturing production that was supported by strong household spending and sound macroeconomic fundamentals,? said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Emmanuel F. Esguerra.
The first quarter growth was supported by the increased production in food manufactures, electrical and non-electrical machineries, and chemical products, among others.
?The positive performance of the manufacturing sector is expected to continue and drive higher growth in the first semester of the year. The buoyant domestic demand, stable inflation, low power rates, and continued decline in world crude oil prices will continue to support the growth of the sector, and at the same time, will help cushion the effect of slow global economic growth,? the Cabinet official said.
Esguerra, who is also NEDA Director-General, added that election-related spending was also providing an additional boost to the production output of paper and plastic products, among others.
In March 2016, for consumer goods, tobacco production spiked to 82.6 percent in both volume and value, suggesting continued robust demand for tobacco products.
Food manufactures also posted strong growth in March, posting an increase of 15.3 percent and 16.3 percent growth rate in volume and value of production, respectively.
?The positive performance of the food subsector is a turnaround from the declines recorded in 2015. This was on the back of a strong domestic economy, lower raw material prices, better product mix, and improved production efficiencies,? he said.
Meanwhile, the strong growths posted by tobacco, food manufactures, paper, wood and metal products offset the double-digit declines in petroleum and leather products.
To support the continued growth of the manufacturing sector, Esguerra emphasized the need to strengthen linkages between agriculture and manufacturing in strategic locations to create stable employment and reduce dependency on highly vulnerable economic activities.
?We must increase the productivity of agribusiness and manufacturing-related services through continued public investment in research and development. This will boost competitiveness and innovation across all production sectors,? he said.?