Value of Production Index (VaPI) for total manufacturing recorded a slower growth of 9.7 percent in March 2011, according to the preliminary results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI). This was accounted mainly by the slowdown in production values of the rubber and plastic products, beverages and leather products. However, seven sectors contributed significant increases in value of production, namely: miscellaneous manufactures, basic metals, petroleum products, non-metallic mineral products, transport equipment, chemical products and fabricated metal products. Refer to Tables 1-A and 1.

On a month-on-month basis, VaPI grew to 5.6 percent in March 2011. Fifteen major sectors influenced the increase in production values, with two-digit increases noted in the following: wood and wood products, non-metallic mineral products, chemical products, fabricated metal products, petroleum products, and transport equipment. Refer to Tables 1-A and 1.

Volume of Production Index (VoPI) posted a year-on-year growth of 11.1 percent in March 2011. Among the 12 major sectors reporting increases in production output, 8 sectors significantly contributed to the growth, namely: miscellaneous manufactures, basic metals, non-metallic mineral products, transport equipment, chemical products, paper and paper products, furniture and fixtures and beverages. Refer to Tables 1-B and 2.

VoPI, on a monthly comparison, reflected an increment of 5.6 percent in March 2011 compared with 1.5 percent recorded in previous month. This is attributed to the two-digit growth in production volumes reported by five major sectors, namely: wood and wood products, transport equipment, non-metallic mineral products, chemical products and fabricated metal products. Refer to Tables 1-B and 2.

Value of Net Sales Index (VaNSI) reflected a slower year-on-year growth of 10.6 percent in March 2011. This maybe attributed to the slowdown in the sales value of petroleum products and beverages. However, twelve major sectors reported increases in value of net sales, with two-digit increase in the following: miscellaneous manufactures, basic metals, textiles, rubber and plastic products, food manufacturing, chemical products, transport equipment and footwear and wearing apparel. Refer to Tables 2-A and 3.

On a monthly basis, VaNSI slightly gained at 8.2 percent in March 2011. Six of the 15 major sectors were significant contributors of growth, namely: transport equipment, wood and wood products, tobacco products, textiles, non-metallic mineral products and food manufacturing. Refer to Tables 2-A and 3.

Volume of Net Sales Index (VoNSI) exhibited a slower two-digit annual increment recorded at 12.0 percent in March 2011.Thirteen out of 20 major sectors registered improvement in the sales performance with significant increases in the following: miscellaneous manufactures, furniture and fixtures, chemical products, transport equipment, rubber and plastic products, basic metals, footwear and wearing apparel, textiles, food manufacturing, beverages, and paper and paper products. Refer to Tables 2-B and 4.

On a month-on-month comparison, VoNSI also rose 8.2 percent in March 2011. Fifteen major sectors significantly contributed to the increment in sales volume led by transport equipment, with 52.0 percent growth. Refer to Tables 2-B and 4.

Average capacity utilization in March 2011 for total manufacturing stood at 83.3 percent. Eleven major sectors registered capacity utilization rates of 80 percent and more, namely: basic metals, food manufacturing, petroleum products, non -metallic mineral products, chemical products, machinery except electrical, electrical machinery, paper and paper products, miscellaneous manufactures, rubber and plastic products and leather products. Refer to Table 6.

The proportion of establishments that operated at full capacity (90% to 100%) was 16.8 percent in March 2011. About 60.9 percent of the establishments operated at 70% to 89% capacity while 22.3 percent of the establishments operated below 70% capacity.

The response rates for the March 2011 MISSI and PPS are 81.1 percent and 91.5 percent, respectively. Refer to Tables 7 and 8

The Monthly Integrated of Selected Industries (MISSI) is one of the designated statistical activities undertaken by the National Statistics Office to provide flash indicators on the performance of growth-oriented industries in the manufacturing sector. The survey gathers monthly data on employment, compensation, production, net sales, inventories and capacity utilization.

The MISSI utilizes the Laspeyres-type method of index computation where the weights are computed from the value of production of the Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI). Rebasing of data series is undertaken as soon as new CPBI are available.

For the 2010 MISSI index series with base year of 2000, the weights of the major sectors and sub-sectors were computed from the results of the 2000 CPBI for manufacturing establishments with average total employment of 20 and over.

The indicators generated from the 2010 MISSI are Value of Production Index (VaPI), Volume of Production Index (VoPI), Value of Net Sales (VaNSI), and Volume of Net Sales (VoNSI). However, the VoPI and VoNSI are derived indicators utilizing the Producer Price Index as deflator.

The industry coverage of the 2010 MISSI conforms with the amended 1994 PSIC groupings. There are 20 major sectors as shown below with 10 further disaggregated into sub-sectors.

                                            Note: * - Major sectors categorized into sub-sectors

Data of non-responding sample establishments are estimated based on previous records and other available sources. Revisions to the preliminary estimates are done upon receipt of actual reports of late respondents.