By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Senior ReporterPHILIPPINE manufacturing activity rose to a five-month high in July, as production and new orders grew at the fastest pace since February, S&P Global said. The S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) improved to 51.8 in July from 50.9 in June. However, the Philippines’ PMI was below the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) average of 52.8 in July, which climbed from an 11-month low of 50.5 in June. S&P Global said the Philippines’ PMI received a boost from the sharp rise in new orders. Meanwhile, S&P Global said manufacturing jobs slipped moderately in July after remaining steady in June, with firms attributing the decline “to voluntary resignations and the non-replacement of leavers.”