PRICES of construction materials in Metro Manila rose in October, according to the National Statistics Office. Data from NSO showed that the retail price index of selected construction materials in National Capital Region went up to 3.8 percent last month from 3.2 percent in the same period last year.

In September, prices of construction materials grew by 3.2 percent.

NSO said the annual increment in carpentry materials index decelerated to 5.9 percent in October from 6.4 percent in September; electrical materials, 2.8 percent from 4.4 percent; painting materials and related compounds, 5.3 percent from 5.8 percent; plumbing materials, 2.6 percent from 4.2 percent; and tinsmithry materials, 1.2 percent from 2 percent.

Meanwhile, the indices of masonry materials and miscellaneous construction materials had higher annual rates during the month in review.

On a monthly basis, the retail price index of selected construction materials in NCR went up at a slower rate of 0.1 percent in October from 0.7 percent in September.

The index of tinsmithry materials declined by 0.3 percent in October from 1.6 percent in September.

Moreover, increases in masonry materials and miscellaneous construction materials indices correspondingly eased to 0.1 percent and 1 percent from the previous month’s rates of 2.1 percent and 3.4 percent.
The rest of the commodity groups remained stable as they exhibited zero growth.

Price reductions were observed in corrugated GI sheets, elbow (GI), and union patente (GI). Price hikes were, however, noted in selected lumber, cement and steel bars.