Value of Net Sales Index (VaNSI) registered a year-on-year decline of 3.2 percent in November 2008. This was brought about by the poor sales performance of ten major sectors, with two-digit decreases reported by the following: miscellaneous manufactures, machinery except electrical, furniture and fixtures, textiles, petroleum products, and footwear and wearing apparel. Refer to Tables 2-A and 3.

Likewise, VaNSI posted a month-on-month decrease of 10.9 percent in November 2008.This was due to the reduction in sales of 13 major sectors, led by miscellaneous manufactures (-49.5 %) and petroleum products (-32.5%). Refer to Tables 2-A and 3.

On a year-on-year basis, Volume of Net Sales Index (VoNSI) recorded a two-digit decline of 10.8 percent in November 2008. Fourteen of the 20 major sectors posted decreases in sales volume, with two-digit increases registered by the following: miscellaneous manufactures, machinery except electrical, textiles, footwear and wearing apparel, furniture and fixtures, food manufacturing, electrical machinery, and wood and wood products. Refer to Tables 2-B and 4.

VoNSI, on a monthly basis, also fell by 10.7 percent in November 2008. Thirteen major sectors reported a month-on-month decreases in sales volume, led by miscellaneous manufactures with a decline of 50.6 percent. Refer to Tables 2-B and 4.

Average capacity utilization in November 2008 for total manufacturing was estimated at 80.7 percent. Ten major sectors that registered capacity utilization rates of 80% and more were the following: basic metals, food manufacturing, leather products, paper and paper products, chemical products (excluding plastic products), miscellaneous manufactures, electrical machinery, petroleum products, rubber and plastic products, and footwear and wearing apparel. Refer to Table 6.

The proportion of establishments that operated at full capacity (90% to 100%) was 11.8 percent in November 2008. More than half or 61.1 percent of the establishments operated at 70% to 89% capacity while 27.1 percent of the establishments operated below 70% capacity.

The response rates for the November 2008 MISSI and PPS are 85.2 percent and 96.1 percent, respectively. Refer to Tables 7 and 8

Only the 2000 based series will be continued beginning the July 2008 issue.

Starting with the February 2008 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 Chemicals 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 the February 2008 issue, the VaPI, VoPI, VaNSI, VoNSI and the revised PPI for Total Manufacturing for all months of 2008 are computed based on the revised industry disaggregation.

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.