P.M. BRIEFING : Philippines’ Economy Slows

MANILA — Philippine economic growth slowed sharply in the first nine months of 1990, with manufacturing output growth slumping to under half its 1989 level, the government’s statistics bureau said today.

Confirming a sharp downturn in the economy, the National Statistical Coordination Board said growth in real gross domestic product fell to 2.8% in the first nine months of the year, against 5.6% in the same period last year.

The manufacturing sector, which suffered serious production setbacks in the second and third quarters because of electric power shortages, grew by just 2.5% during the period, against 6.07% in 1989.