Factory output growth accelerated in April, reversing the decline seen in the previous month, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Friday showed.

Results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries showed that the value of production index (VaPI) grew by 4.3 percent in April, a turnaround from –1.4 percent in March.

“The uptrend in the annual rate of VaPI for manufacturing in April 2025 was mainly attributed (to) the annual increase in the manufacture of basic metals at 17.3 percent during the month from an annual drop of 43.8 percent in the previous month,” the PSA said.

The volume of production index (VoPI), meanwhile, grew by 4.2 percent from a 2 percent decline in March.

The PSA said growth was primarily driven by the uptrend in the annual rate of VaPI for the manufacture of basic metals, which rose 18.3 percent from a 43.7 percent annual decline in March 2025.

The PSA, meanwhile, said the average capacity utilization rate for manufacturing slightly went up to 76.6 percent from 76.2 percent in March.

All industry divisions reported capacity utilization rates of more than 60 percent during the month.

On reported capacity utilization rate, the top three industry divisions were the manufacture of tobacco products at 88.5 percent, other non-metallic mineral products at 83.6 percent, and furniture at 81.1 percent. (PNA)