Average capacity utilization in January 2008 for total manufacturing was estimated at 80.2 percent. Nine (9) major sectors that registered more than 80% capacity utilization rates were the following: basic metals, paper and paper products, leather products, petroleum products, food manufacturing, miscellaneous manufactures, electrical machinery, footwear and wearing apparel and chemical products (excluding plastic products). Refer to Table 6.

The proportion of establishments that operated at full capacity (90% to 100%) was 10.1 percent in January 2008. More than half or 59.0 percent of the establishments operated at 70% to 89% capacity while 30.9 percent of the establishments operated below 70% capacity.

The response rates for the January 2008 MISSI and PPS are 85.9 percent and 92.2 percent, respectively. Refer to Tables 12 and 13.

The 1994 based MISSI indices and the PPI will have the December 2007 data as the last of the series. Only the 2000 based series will be continued in 2008.

Starting this issue, a revised industry disaggregation of the MISSI indices and PPI will be adopted to conform to the 1994 PSIC groupings. Rubber and Plastic Products is a new major sector, consisting of two subsectors, namely: Rubber Products and Plastic Products. Rubber Products was previously a major sector while Plastic Products was one of the sub-sectors of Chemical Products.

With previously seven (7) subsectors, the major sector of Chemical Products has now six (6) subsectors, namely: Basic Chemical and Industrial Gases, Fertilizers, Paints, Drugs and Medicines, Cosmetics and Toilet Preparations, and Miscellaneous Chemicals.

The major sector of Machinery except Electrical has been split into two subsectors, namely: Machinery and Equipment, n.e.c. and Office, Accounting and Computing Machinery.

The corresponding weights of the above major sectors and sub-sectors have been recomputed to allow for the revised computation of the indices.

Thus, beginning this issue, the VaPI, VoPI, and the revised PPI for Total Manufacturing for all months of 2007 and January 2008 are computed based on the revised industry disaggregation. However, the Value and Volume of Net Sales indices for January 2008 will be released in the next issue.

Starting 2008, weights for the PPI and Capacity Utilization Rates are based from the results of the 2005 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry for manufacturing establishments with average total employment 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.