Factory output expands further in October

The country’s manufacturing output continued to accelerate in October due to robust expansion in electronic and pharmaceutical industries, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

- By BRIX LELIS

Preliminary PSA data showed that the sector’s volume of production index (VoPI) grew by 1.4 percent in October, faster than the 0.8 percent recorded in the previous month.

The latest figure also signals a clear rebound from the 1.2-percent contraction logged in October last year, based on the PSA’s monthly integrated survey of selected industries released yesterday.

On a year-to-date basis, however, the average VoPI for the manufacturing sector saw a 0.3-percent decline.

PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa attributed the faster VoPI growth in October to the improved output of three industry divisions.

In particular, the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products climbed by 18 percent, up from 4.2 percent in September.