January NCR building materials price growth accelerates

Price growth of construction materials in Metro Manila quickened at retail and wholesale levels in January, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

Based on preliminary data, the PSA showed that year-on-year growth of the construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) rose 0.9% in January, a tad higher from the 0.8% growth in December.

It was also better than the 0.1% gain posted a year ago.

The latest reading was the fastest pace in almost two years or since the 1% growth in February 2024.

Contributing to January’s uptick were slower annual declines in structural steel (1.7% in January from 3% in December), reinforcing steel (0.7% from 1.5%), and metal products (0.6% from 0.7%).

Additionally, reversals were seen in commodities of hardware with 0.1% in January from its 0.1% drop in December, and fuels and lubricants with 0.4% growth from 1.9% decline a month earlier.

Meanwhile, PVC pipes posted faster annual growth to prices with 0.3% from 0.2% in December 2025.

Retail prices also grew

In a separate report by the PSA, the construction materials retail price index (CMRPI) inched up 1.2% in January from 1% in December. A year earlier, it had the same growth rate.

The January CMRPI outcome logged the quickest pace in a year or since the 1.5% in December 2024.

The PSA attributed the faster annual CMRPI growth to prices in tinsmithry materials which quickened by 2% in January from 1.7% in December, plumbing materials with 0.7% from 0.5%, and miscellaneous construction materials with 0.9% from 0.8%.

Meanwhile, carpentry materials posted a slower annual decline of 0.2% in January, compared with the 0.5% drop in December.

“What we’re seeing in January is a post‑holiday price reset combined with real cost pressures —higher import costs for cement and steel, elevated fuel and logistics expenses, and a pickup in construction activity as projects restart,” Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said in a Viber message.

He added that rising wholesale prices are being reflected in retail prices, suggesting that contractors have started transferring these costs down the supply chain.

“For February, prices should stay firm but stable, not spike. Over the rest of the year, expect a gradual upward trend — not a surge — as demand remains strong but supply chains are far more normalized,” he said.

The CMRPI is based on 2012 constant prices, while the CMWPI is based on 2018 constant prices.

Source: Business World

The essentials of building a lasting home

Building a house is often imagined as picking tiles, choosing paint colors, and arguing about where the dining table should sit.

A home is a sequence of construction decisions with consequences for comfort, cost, and longevity. The process may seem wrapped in jargon and blueprints to newcomers, but demystifying the fundamentals reveals which parts truly matter and why they carry weight.

The ground beneath

Every house begins with soil. Its condition dictates the type of foundation required, whether shallow footings for stable ground or deep piles for soft or shifting soil. Ignoring this step risks uneven settling and cracks.

A proper geotechnical investigation may seem like an extra cost, but the insurance policy ensures the entire structure rests on a reliable footing.

The architectural plan

Before concrete is poured or steel is tied, architectural design gives order to the build. It aligns the foundation with circulation, light, ventilation, and proportion. Taking time in this exercise avoids costly rework and ensures that technical decisions support strength and livability from the start.

Beyond comfort, a thoughtful plan saves money by preventing wasted space and structural inefficiency.

The structural skeleton

Columns, beams, and slabs are the bones that hold the house upright. Their placement and sizing follow the rules of load distribution.

Reinforced concrete, the staple of Philippine housing, must be mixed, poured, and cured with discipline. Skipping curing time or using low-grade steel can shave costs in the short term but compromise decades of stability. Good skeletons make homes that stand firm even in earthquakes and typhoons.

The roof and its armor

A roof is the frontline defense against heat and rain. Proper roof pitch lets water run off quickly, while trusses engineered with correct spacing resist winds. Layers of insulation beneath can help keep interiors cooler.

Though often overlooked, flashings, gutters, and downspouts determine whether water stays out or sneaks into ceilings and walls. Careful detailing extends the lifespan of roofing systems, reducing costly repairs.

The wet zones

Kitchens and bathrooms concentrate plumbing and drainage. Proper slopes in bathroom floors prevent puddling. Pipes sized correctly for flow reduce clogs, and vent stacks avoid sewer gas from sneaking back inside. Waterproofing membranes beneath tiles stop leaks before they stain ceilings below.

These wet zones are the most expensive to renovate later, so attention here during construction is essential.

The enclosure

Walls, windows, and doors seal the house from the elements. Hollow block walls need correct mortar joints and plastering to resist water penetration. Windows and doors must be plumbed and sealed to prevent leaks and drafts.

Choices here influence both comfort and utility bills. Properly executed enclosures mean less repainting, fewer repairs, and consistently livable interiors.

The finishing touch

Finishes are the most visible layer, but also the thinnest protection. Tiles, paint, and cabinetry all rely on the quality of preparation beneath. No matter how expensive, a floor tile laid on uneven screed will crack. Paint applied to poorly cured plaster will peel.

Workmanship quality in these finishing touches reduces maintenance and extends the life of materials, proving that value is measured by durability as much as by appearance.

The price of building

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2025, the average construction cost for rough residential buildings is around P12,182 per sqm. Industry trackers confirm similar figures.

A mid-range home with comfortable finishes typically costs between P25,000 and P30,000 per sqm. Semi-luxury builds may climb to P35,000 per sqm, while luxury residences can exceed P50,000 per sqm. For a 200 sqm to 300 sqm home, expect P2.4 million at the leanest end, and as high as P15 million for a premium build.

Building with clarity

For those new to building, the lesson is clear: invest in what holds the house together and keeps it dry. Elegance can always be layered later, but strength and integrity must be built from day one.

Source: Inquirer

Unemployment rate steadied in December

The country’s unemployment rate steadied in December amid seasonal services gains and construction sector job losses likely caused by the impact of a corruption scandal, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed on Friday.

At 4.4 percent, the jobless rate was unchanged from November but worsened from December 2024’s 3.1 percent. This translated to 2.26 million unemployed Filipinos, higher than the 2.25 million and 1.63 million recorded a month and year earlier.

The administrative and support service, and accommodation and food service industries added the most number of jobs at 385,000 and 280,000, respectively, the PSA data showed, likely reflecting holiday demand.

Construction, and transportation and storage, on the other hand, shed 550,000 and 258,000 positions. Chinabank Research said the former’s losses were likely due to “a sharper reduction in government outlays on infrastructure projects in the fourth quarter last year, which constrained project implementation.”

“Job creation in the sector may remain subdued as heightened scrutiny amid governance concerns may continue to delay public construction activities,” it added.

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said the government was committed to improving the labor market situation amid “global and domestic issues.”

Economic Planning Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the government would resume and fast-track delayed infrastructure projects and prioritize implementation of high-impact programs in key sectors.

The DEPDev noted a decline in the labor force participation rate to 64.4 percent from 65.1 percent a year earlier and also tagged higher youth unemployment (12.2 percent from 9.1 percent) and a rise in the share of workers that have stopped actively seeking employment (7.3 percent from 6.3 percent).

“[W]e will prioritize employment creation by restoring consumer and business confidence, reduce the cost of doing business, encourage innovation, and expand training and reskilling opportunities,” Edillon said.

Chinabank Research said the latest labor force survey results point to “a softening job market, as subdued domestic consumption likely weighed on labor demand.”

“However, job prospects may improve this year, supported by early signs of stronger manufacturing activity and a possible rebound in public construction,” it added.

Still, underemployment — which counts those looking for more work or an extra job — declined to 8.0 percent, down from 10.4 percent and 10.9 percent a month and year earlier, respectively.

The number of underemployed individuals stood at 3.93 million in December, down from 5.11 million a month earlier and 5.48 million in December 2024.

“The decline in underemployment allows workers to participate in the upskilling and reskilling initiatives to be rolled out by [the] government,” Edillon said.

Wage and salary workers accounted for the bulk of the employed at 64.2 percent of the total. Following were the self-employed (27.4 percent), unpaid family workers (6.9 percent) and employers in family-operated farms or businesses (1.5 percent).

Private companies employed 77.7 percent of wage and salary workers or 49.4 percent of the total number of employed persons. The government and state-owned firms, in comparison, held a combined wage and salary worker share of 15.2 percent and 9.8 percent of total employment.

Source: Manila Times