Philippine manufacturing production growth accelerated for the second consecutive month in September 2026, reaching 9.0% from 6.6% in August, driven by stronger output in petroleum products, basic metals, and transport equipment, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The Volume of Production Index (VoPI) reversed a 1.1% contraction recorded in September 2025, while the Value of Production Index (VaPI) increased by 12.7%, up from 10.0% in August.
The PSA attributed the stronger performance primarily to coke and refined petroleum products, which posted a 31.0% increase in production, followed by basic metals at 30.9% and transport equipment at 12.7%. Meanwhile, average capacity utilization slightly declined to 78.4% from 78.7% in August but remained above the 77.4% recorded a year earlier.
