Philippine manufacturing output growth reaches 9.0% in September
Petroleum products, basic metals and transport equipment drove the acceleration, while average factory capacity utilisation slipped to 78.4%.
Philippine manufacturing production volumes rose 9.0% year on year in September 2026, accelerating for a second consecutive month, according to preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures. Growth increased from 6.6% in August, compared with a 1.1% decline in September 2025.
The PSA identified three industries as the main drivers: coke and refined petroleum products, where output volumes increased 31.0%; basic metals, up 30.9%; and transport equipment, up 12.7%. Other industries recording faster growth included leather and related products at 29.1%, wearing apparel at 21.1%, computer, electronic and optical products at 16.7%, and rubber and plastic products at 15.9%.
Measured by value, manufacturing production increased 12.7%, against 10.0% in August and a 0.3% fall in September 2025. The PSA said coke and refined petroleum products were the main contributor to that acceleration. The industry's production value rose 39.6%, compared with 25.0% in August, accounting for 34.2% of the acceleration.
Average capacity utilisation eased to 78.4% from August's 78.7%, but exceeded the 77.4% recorded a year earlier. The survey found that 36.0% of establishments operated at 90% to 100% capacity, while 38.6% used 70% to 89% of capacity and 25.5% operated below 70%. Every industry division recorded a utilisation rate above 65%.
