Philippine factory output up by 11%

Philippine factory output recorded double-digit growth of 11% in December year-on-year, underscoring a recovery in local industrial activity, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported. Fifteen out of 20 major sectors posted increases in production output as measured by the volume of production index (VoPI) with miscellaneous manufacturers contributing the largest increase of 156.5%, followed by nine major sectors that posted double-digit increments, including electrical machinery, basic metals, transport equipment, non-metallic mineral products, machinery (except electrical), rubber and plastic products, tobacco products, fabricated metal products and furniture and fixtures. In terms of value, the sector registered an 8.6% growth from a year ago. (February 26, 2010)