Factory output improves in June

MANILA, Philippines — Manufacturing output declined at a slower pace in June, both in terms of volume and value, indicating a gradual recovery, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said yesterday.

Factory output, as measured by the Volume of Production Index (VoPI), declined by 19.3 percent on June, slower than 28.5 percent contraction in May.

The Value of Production Index (VaPI), meanwhile, declined by 22.5 percent in June, also slower than the contraction of 31.2 percent in May.

Expansions in petroleum products, wood and wood products, and chemical products tempered the decline of total manufacturing output.

“The declining trend has slowed down in June 2020, which reflected the gradual easing of quarantine restrictions,” said Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua.

In June, most of the country transitioned to a looser community quarantine than what was imposed in April and May.

The easing of various community quarantine measures in many parts of the country in June permitted the continuation of several public and private construction projects.

These included quarantine and isolation facilities, rehabilitation works, sewerage projects, water service facilities and digital infrastructure, among others.

Construction activities were also allowed to resume subject to minimum public health standards and social distancing measures in the workplace.