Year-on-Year

The year-on-year change in the Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) in April was observed at 2.4 percent. This was the same rate posted last month. Positive annual increments were noted in the indices of 16 commodity groups with the highest rates registered in plumbing fixtures and accessories and fuels and lubricants indices at 5.1 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively. Movement in the plywood index remained at its last month’s rate while the asphalt and machinery and equipment rental indices recorded zero growths.

Month-on-Month

On a monthly basis, the CMWPI in NCR inched up 0.2 percent in April. This was attributed to upward adjustments in the indices of concrete products at 0.2 percent; hardware, 0.4 percent; plywood and electrical works, 0.3 percent; and lumber and fuels and lubricants, 0.4 percent. The monthly rates in the indices of sand and gravel and G.I. sheet correspondingly eased to 0.4 percent and 0.2 percent. Last month, these indices recorded higher growths of 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively. The monthly changes in the indices of structural steel; plumbing fixtures and accessories and painting works were still at their previous month’s rates while the other commodity groups had zero growths.

Price hikes were noticed in gravel, hollow blocks, plywood, lumber, G.I. sheets, angle bars, paints, electrical wires, plumbing fixtures and accessories and selected hardware items during the month.