BORONGAN CITY (PIA) — The province of Eastern Samar recorded a remarkable 8.1 percent economic growth in 2023, making it the fastest-growing province in the Eastern Visayas region, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) during the 2023 Provincial Product Accounts Dissemination Forum simultaneously held in five other provinces of Region VIII on Thursday, November 28.
Chief Statistical Specialist Ronnie Bajado of PSA Eastern Samar reported that the province’s economic growth even surpasses the regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increase of 6.4 percent. This highlights the province’s robust recovery and expansion compared to its 6.9 percent growth rate in 2022.
The province’s GDP rose to P36.72 billion in 2023 from P33.98 billion in 2022, with major contributions coming from three key industries: Transportation and storage accounted for 1.8 percentage points of the growth, reflecting a 47.7 percent surge; Construction contributed 1.29 percentage points; and Mining and quarrying, posted a remarkable growth of 120.5 percent, added 1.28 percentage points.
The province also recorded a P69,639 GDP per capita, which is the estimated contribution of an Estehanon to the economy of Eastern Samar.
Bajado added that, among the six provinces and one highly urbanized city in Eastern Visayas, Eastern Samar led the growth, followed by Southern Leyte with 7.3 percent and the City of Tacloban with 6.9 percent.
Biliran, Leyte, and Samar, recorded growth rates of 6.6 percent, 6.4 percent, and 6.1 percent, respectively, while Northern Samar posted the lowest growth rate at 3.7 percent.
On top of this, Eastern Samar ranked 7th fastest-growing economy among 82 provinces all over the country.
The province posted as the 3rd fastest-growing economy for Industry among 82 provinces and 33 highly-urbanized cities nationwide.
Eastern Samar also recorded a significant decrease in poverty incidence, dropping to 24.7 percent in 2023 from 29.4 percent in 2021 and 40.96 percent in 2018.
Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone stated that the results reflect the significant progress of the provincial government’s developmental programs and projects.
“This clearly shows that our developmental programs and efforts are gaining tractions already. We need to sustain and accelerate more our anti-poverty campaigns especially in the far-flung areas,” Evardone said.
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Joselito Abrugar said the provincial government, under the helm of Gov. Evardone is resolute in their mandate to deliver public service to the Estehanons through a whole-of-government approach, ensuring that no one is left behind.
“The data speaks for itself and this is in consonance with the developmental thrust of the province, it can be claimed that we are on the right track,” Abrugar added.
Abrugar, however, emphasized that despite the significant results, the provincial government will not waver in its vision of a more progressive Eastern Samar.
He stressed that much still needs to be done and pledged that the provincial government will continue working tirelessly, urging all Estehanons to work together hand in hand. (VTG, PIA Eastern Samar)
