THE Philippines’ overall manufacturing output went up slightly, owing to significant increases in the production of leather goods and wood and wood products.

According to the latest Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (Missi) released Wednesday by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the country’s manufacturing output slightly increased by 0.5 percent in January compared with the same month last year. The NSO attributed the slight growth to the double-digit hikes reported in leather-goods production, which soared by 54.2 percent, and wood and wood products, which grew by 33.5 percent.

Other sectors that contributed to the slight growth include tobacco, which increased by 31.4 percent; beverages, 30 percent; fabricated metals, 24.3 percent; and chemical products, 12.4 percent.

However, the statistics agency noted that the manufacturing sector’s output on a monthly basis decreased in January 2008 from its level in December 2007.

The NSO said manufacturing output declined by 11.1 percent due to decreases observed in food manufacturing, which fell by 31.6 percent; petroleum products, 13.5 percent; and beverages, 12.8 percent.

Meanwhile, the NSO said that the sector’s value of production (VaPI) continued to decline in January 2008. It posted a 1.4-percent decrease from its level a year ago due to the sluggish performance in furniture and fixtures, which declined by 17.2 percent; food manufacturing, 11.9 percent; and transport equipment, 11.5 percent.

On a monthly basis, the VaPI also posted a decrease of 11 percent due to two-digit decreases in food manufacturing, which was down by 31.6 percent; petroleum products, 13.5 percent; and beverages, 12.8 percent.

The NSO also said total capacity utilization of manufacturing companies was at 80.2 percent, similar to the levels reported in December 2007. Only 10 percent of the establishments which participated in the survey said their operations ran at full capacity, or at 90 percent  to 100 percent for the period. More than half or 59 percent of the survey participants said their operations were at 70 percent to 80 percent and around 30.9 percent of those surveyed operated below 70 percent.

The NSO also said only 85.9 percent of Missi participants were part of the survey in January, lower than the 96 percent in December 2007.

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THE Philippines’ overall manufacturing output went up slightly, owing to significant increases in the production of leather goods and wood and wood products.

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