Philippine manufacturing output grew faster in August, with the value of production up 10.8% from a year earlier, The Manila Times reported on October 8, citing data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on October 7. Growth in the value of production index (VaPI) had been 9.9% in July and 1.9% in August 2025.

Much of the gain came from one sector. Output value in computer, electronic and optical products rose 30.1% year on year, up from 15.8% the previous month. The PSA said this accounted for 57.3% of the VaPI growth rate for August, which ties the headline manufacturing figure closely to the electronics industry.

The volume of production index (VoPI) expanded 11.8%, compared with 6.7% in July and 1.3% a year earlier. Electronics again led, with volume growth jumping to 32.1% from 9.2% in July.

Transport equipment and basic metals were the other main drivers. In value terms, transport equipment grew 11.5%, up from 4.9%, while basic metals rose 27.2%, against 23.9% a month earlier. By volume, transport equipment climbed 11.4% from 2.1%, and basic metals advanced 29% from 17.4%.

Average capacity utilisation across manufacturing slipped to 78.7% in August from 78.8% in July. The rate was still above the 77.6% recorded in August 2025.

Every industry division ran at more than 65% of capacity. Tobacco products had the highest rate at 85%, followed by coke and refined petroleum products at 83.9%. Other manufacturing, repair and installation of machinery and equipment came third at 83.3%.

The PSA's Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries found that 254 firms, or 35.7% of respondents, operated at full capacity, which the agency defines as 90% to 100%. Another 287 firms, or 40.4%, reported utilisation of 70% to 80%. The remaining 170 firms, or 23.9%, were running below 70% of capacity.