SLOW demand after the holiday season led to the contraction of manufacturing output in December, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said.
The Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (Missi) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the Volume of Production Index (Vopi) and the Value of Production Index (Vapi) for December declined by 10.1 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively.
This brings 2018 manufacturing to 7.2 percent in terms of volume and 8.0 percent in terms of value.
“We have expected this decline because the holiday season is over. These figures could also indicate a likely tepid growth consistent with the latest Business and Consumer Expectations Survey of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said.
Across product categories, lower output of major manufacturing items such as food, chemical products, tobacco, basic and fabricated metals, and machinery (except electrical), dragged total manufacturing output.
On the upside, a decline in rice prices, downward adjustment of electricity rates, and the slight appreciation of the peso may help improve consumer outlook and prop up demand.
“Moreover, election-related spending is projected to benefit manufacturing sub-sectors such as food, beverage, tobacco and printing and paper products,” he said.
He also said that the approval of the exemption of key infrastructure projects from the 2019 election spending ban will ensure continuous implementation of national infrastructure projects under the Build, Build, Build program and minimize slowdown in economic growth.
Domestic oil price hikes and the upcoming El Niño, however, could translate to price pass-throughs in manufacturing, he warned.
To boost the performance of manufacturing, he noted that the government may look into the concerns raised by exporters and importers regarding the management of empty containers, the need for an alert status on chemical importations, and the processes involving x-ray cargo inspection (particularly outside the Mindanao Container Terminal), which hamper the flow of goods in the country’s international ports.
If found to warrant government action, the early resolution to these concerns can ease trade facilitation and would benefit the country’s manufacturing sector, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, Pernia said.
The immediate passage of the proposed General Appropriations Act for 2019 is also critical, given the mid-term elections and election ban in March. (PR)