Year-on-Year

The Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) further dropped by 0.4 percent in June. In May, it moved by -0.2 percent and in June 2014, 2.3 percent. This was due to the declines in the annual rates of fuels and lubricants index at -12.9 percent and cement index, -0.1 percent. Contributing also to the downtrend were the slower annual gains in the twelve commodity groups. On the other hand, a higher annual growth was noticed in reinforcing steel index at 0.9 percent. The rest of the commodity groups moved at their May rates with the machinery and equipment rental index recording a zero growth.

Month-on-Month

On a monthly basis, the CMWPI in NCR rose at a slower pace of 0.3 percent in June. The cement index went down by 0.2 percent. Moreover, lower monthly increments were also observed in the indices of plywood and electrical works at 0.1 percent and fuels and lubricants, 1.2 percent. Meanwhile, faster monthly add-ons were registered in sand and gravel index at 0.3 percent and plumbing fixtures and accessories index, 0.7 percent. A 0.1 percent increase was also seen in the indices of lumber, reinforcing steel and structural steel. The other commodity groups either moved at their last month’s rate or had zero growth.

Prices of some construction materials like sand and gravel, hollow blocks, steel bars, angle bars, electrical wires and plumbing fixtures and accessories were on the uptrend. Price hikes were also noted in gasoline. Prices of diesel, fuel oil and cement were, however, lower during the month.