Manufacturing output value up 24.7%

MANILA, Philippines - Manufacturing establishments in the country saw its total value of output rise by 24.7 percent in 2012, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).   

The PSA’s 2012 Census for the Manufacturing Sector for All Establishments showed the country’s 25,064 manufacturing establishments generated value of output estimated at P4.5 trillion in 2012, up from P3.6 trillion in 2010.   

By industry group, electronic components was the top contributor with an output share of 16.8 percent valued at P750.6 billion.   

Refined petroleum products came in second with its 10.7 percent share (P477.6 billion).   

Other top contributors to the total value of output were: computers and peripheral equipment and accessories (P246.6 billion or 5.5 percent), other food products (P221.4 billion or five percent), beverages (P195.1 billion or 4.4 percent), dairy products (P175 billion or 3.9 percent), and parts and accessories for motor vehicles (P157.6 billion or 3.5 percent).   

The PSA also said the value added generated by all manufacturing establishments reached P1.2 trillion in 2012, 12.3 percent higher than the P1 trillion seen in 2010.   

The sector with the biggest contribution to total value added was electronic components with its 27.8 percent share amounting to P321.9 billion.   

This was followed by computers and peripheral equipment and accessories with P114.4 billion or 9.9 percent of the total value  added, while beverages ranked third with P86 billion or 7.4 percent.   

In terms of employment, all manufacturing establishments in 2012 generated 1.186 million jobs, a 21.3 percent increase from 2010.   

Paid employees in 2012 made up 98.6 percent of total employment while the rest were working owners and unpaid workers.   

By industry, electronic components still employed the highest number of workers with 142,748 or 12 percent of the total.   

Ranking second were firms engaged in the manufacture of food products with 120,963 workers (10.2 percent), while those engaged in wearing apparel, except fur apparel, placed third with 109,028 workers (9.2 percent).   

The PSA said the government also provided more subsidies in the form of financial assistance or tax exemption to manufacturing establishments in 2012 than in 2010.   

The total amount of subsidies extended to manufacturing establishments reached P5.8 billion in 2012, more than nine times the P600 million provided in 2010.   

Among industry groups, other electrical equipment received the highest worth of subsidies, accounting for 43.4 percent of the total or P2.5 billion.   

Electronic components followed closely with P2.2 billion (37.3 percent), while spinning, weaving and finishing of textiles got the third spot with P268.6 million (4.6 percent).  

 The government is pushing for the growth of the manufacturing sector as it is seen to create jobs and promote inclusive economic growth.