The Producer Price Index (PPI) for the manufacturing industry recorded a slower growth of 0.9 percent increase in December 2007 compared to its year-ago figure, according to the preliminary results of the monthly Producer price Survey. This was brought about by the increases reported by thirteen (13) major sectors with two-digit growth exhibited by the following sectors: publishing and printing (20.9%), petroleum products (17.7%) and basic metals (16.6%). However, price decreases were reported by six (6) major sectors with two-digit decrease (15.4%) recorded for miscellaneous manufactures (-15.4%). Refer to Tables 1 and 1-A.

On a month-on-month basis, PPI slightly went down by 0.4 percent in December 2007. Decline in prices were observed in the following major sectors: electrical machinery, machinery excluding electrical, chemical products, miscellaneous manufactures, furniture and fixtures and transport equipment footwear and wearing apparel, textiles and wood and wood products Refer to Tables 1 and 1-B.

The response rate for December 2007 is 82.6 percent, which corresponds to the retrieval of 252 sample establishments’ reports. Refer to Table 2.

Response Rates for Total Manufacturing
(In percent)

Beginning the 2007 monthly issues, the 2000 based series of the PPI are released simultaneously with the 1994 based series. The 2000 based series for 2001 to 2006 were earlier made available in a separate Special Release.

Weights for the PPI are based from the results of the 2003 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) for manufacturing establishments with average total employment (ATE) of 20 and over.

Data of non-responding sample establishments are estimated based on previous records and other available sources. Revisions to the preliminary estimates are done upon receipt of actual reports of late respondents.

TABLE 1-A. PRODUCER PRICE INDEX, NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2007
(1994 =100)

TABLE 1-B. PRODUCER PRICE INDEX, NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2007
(1994=100)