Year-on-Year

The year-on-year growth in the Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) went up 2.2 percent in May. This was slower than the 2.4 percent gain recorded last month but was higher than 1.2 percent increase in the same period last year. Annual increments decelerated in the indices of concrete products at 1.7 percent in May; G.I. sheet, 3.1 percent; tileworks, 4.0 percent; electrical works, 2.3 percent; and PVC pipes, 3.4 percent. The rest of the commodity groups had higher annual mark-ups or retained their previous month’s rate with the asphalt and machinery and equipment rental indices still registering zero growths.

Month-on-Month

On a monthly basis, the CMWPI in NCR inched up 0.1 percent in May. Last month, its movement was pegged at 0.2 percent. A 0.4 percent decline in fuels and lubricants index was observed during the month. In addition, slower monthly growths were noticed in sand and gravel; concrete products and lumber indices at 0.1 percent; and plumbing fixtures and accessories/waterworks index, 0.2 percent. On the other hand, higher monthly hikes were seen in the indices of cement; reinforcing steel; tileworks; glass and glass products; doors, jambs and steel casement; painting works; and PVC pipes. Movement in the other commodity groups remained stable as they posted a zero growth.

Upward price adjustments were noted in gravel, sand, cement, hollow blocks, lumber, G.I. sheets, angle bars, floor tiles, paints, selected hardware items, glass and glass products, doors, PVC pipes and some electrical works. Meanwhile, prices of diesel, fuel oil and lubricating oil were on the downtrend.