PH manufacturing growth accelerates to 9% in September 2026

Philippine manufacturing growth quickened for the second straight month in September, driven by faster output growth in petroleum products, basic metals, and transport equipment, government data released on Friday showed.

Preliminary results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) showed that the volume of production index (VoPI) grew by 9.0% in September, faster than the 6.6% recorded in August, and a reversal of the 1.1% contraction a year ago.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) attributed the year-on-year acceleration to the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (up 31.0%); basic metals (up 30.9%); and transport equipment (up 12.7%).

Faster growth was also seen in the manufacture of leather and related products (29.1%); wearing apparel (21.1%); computer, electronic, and optical products (16.7%); and rubber and plastic products (15.9%), among others.

The value of production index (VaPI), meanwhile, grew by 12.7% in September, faster than the 10.0% in August, and the 0.3% contraction recorded in September 2025.

"The acceleration in the annual growth rate of VaPI for manufacturing in September 2026 was mainly attributed by the faster annual increase recorded by the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products," the PSA said in a statement.

The production of coke and refined petroleum products grew by 39.6% during the month, faster than the 25.0% in the previous month, contributing 34.2% to the faster annual growth rate for the month.

Average capacity utilization for the month stood at 78.4%, lower than the 78.7% in August, but higher than the 77.4% a year ago.

More than a third or 36.0% operated at full capacity or 90% to 100%, while 38.6% operated at 70% to 89% capacity. A fourth or 25.5% operated below 70% capacity.

All industry divisions reported capacity utilization rates of more than 65%, with the top being manufacture of tobacco products (99.5%); coked and refined petroleum products (85.6%); and other manufacturing and repair and installation of machinery and equipment (83.3%). — VDV, GMA News