SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union  (PIA) — The province of La Union posted a 10.2 percent growth rate as of November 2023, good as third among provinces in regions outside of the National Capital Region (NCR), according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on April 1.
 
The province bested seven other high-performing provinces in the top 10, including Bulacan, Sarangani, Camarines Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Romblon, and Tawi-Tawi. 
 
Only the provinces of Tarlac and Catanduanes had better growth rates for the period, posting 17.9 percent and 15.8 percent growth rates, respectively. 
 
The accomplishment is part of the results of the PSA’s first-ever Provincial Products Account in 16 regions outside of the NCR, which includes 82 total provinces and 17 highly urbanized cities. 

The PSA compiled their report by studying the economic performance of the provinces and cities in 2023 in terms of their Gross Value Added in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
 
The top 10 fastest growing provinces all recorded economic increases larger than the national average of 0.5 percent. 
 
La Union’s vibrant agriculture, forestry, and fishing landscape includes contributions from all its 20 towns, including Agoo’s mushroom production, Aringay’s milkfish, Bacnotan’s honey, Bagulin, Burgos and San Fernando City’s soft broom, Balaoan’s sea urchin, Bangar’s handloom weaving, Bauang’s grape farm, Caba’s bamboo industry, and Luna’s pebble beach. 
 
Other La Union towns and their products include Naguilian’s basi (wine), Pugo’s furnishing products, Rosario’s furniture, San Gabriel’s highland veggies, San Juan’s pottery, Santol’s lasting baskets, Sto. Tomas’ dried fish, Sudipen’s baskets, and Tubao’s corn. 
 
The provincial government of La Union meanwhile welcomed the news of the province’s fast economic growth, noting how its robust tourism industry can now partner with its agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors to pave the way for a better and more progressive future. 

La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David says that the latest achievement of the province contributes to the overall vision of the province to be the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025. 
 
Ortega-David also noted that the achievement is the result of a convergence effort of all sectors in the province, of cooperation between and among parties and institutions leading to progress and development. 
 
“We are rapidly progressing towards the attainment of our vision to become the Heart of Agri-Tourism in the North by 2025! And that's because of the close cooperation of all of us,” Ortega-David said. (JCR/AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)