August 2008

• Month-on-Month

            The monthly wholesale price increase of selected construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) slowed down to 0.7 percent in August from 5.9 percent in July. This was mainly due to the 0.6 percent decline in the growth rate of fuels and lubricants from 9.1 percent last month. Reductions in the prices of metal pipes and structural steel were also correspondingly noted at -0.1 percent and -1.3 percent from 5.6 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively. Moreover, slower growth rates were observed in the price increments of cement at 0.3 percent from 0.7 percent; plywood, 0.5 percent from 3.9 percent; wood products, 0.6 percent from 1.0 percent; concrete products, 0.3 percent from 2.4 percent; reinforcing steel, 1.7 percent from 19.0 percent; and G.I. sheets, 0.4 percent from 5.6 percent. On the other hand, price hikes were higher in lumber, paints, exterior electrical equipment/supplies, interior electrical fixtures and devices, and electrical rough in materials. Prices for the rest of the commodity groups generally appeared stable as they recorded a zero growth during the month. 
   

• Year-on-Year

            The annual growth rate of the CMWPI in NCR moved up to 22.0 percent in August from 21.2 percent in July. Annual price gains were faster in cement, lumber, plywood, wood products, hardware, concrete products, paints, reinforcing steel, G.I. sheets, interior electrical fixtures and devices and electrical rough-in materials. The rest of the commodity groups retained their previous monthÒ³ annual growth rates while blasting materials and machinery and equipment rental indexes continued to post a zero growth this month.

   

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  Source:    National Statistics Office
                    Manila, Philippines
  
  Page last revised:   September 16, 2008