Year-on-Year

The year-on-year change of the Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) grew by 2.3 percent in June from 1.2 percent in May. A higher annual rate was posted in the fuels and lubricants index at 2.5 percent in June from -5.0 percent in May. In addition, upward adjustments were noted in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month: concrete products (2.3% from 2.2%); both hardware and plywood (1.3% from 1.2%); structural steel (1.4% from 1.3%); doors, jambs, and steel casement (1.6% from 1.5%); and plumbing fixtures and accessories/waterworks (2.6% from 2.4%). On the other hand, slowdowns were recorded in the indices of cement, reinforcing steel, electrical works and painting works. The rest of the commodity groups moved at their last month’s rates while the annual growth in the machinery and equipment rental index was still zero.

Month-on-Month

On a monthly basis, movement in the wholesale prices of selected construction materials in NCR improved to 0.2 percent in June from 0.3 percent in May. The monthly growth in concrete products index eased to 0.1 percent from 1.0 percent. Meanwhile, the monthly rate in the index for fuels and lubricants went up to 1.0 percent in June from -1.5 percent in May. From zero growth, adjustment in the indices of hardware, plywood and painting works also rose 0.1 percent; glass and glass products index, 0.2 percent; and plumbing fixtures and accessories/waterworks index, 0.3 percent. The other commodity groups either retained their previous month’s rates or had zero growth.

Higher prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, selected hardware items, plywood, glass and products, some electrical works, and plumbing fixtures were noticed during the month.