PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The city of Puerto Princesa exceeded pre-pandemic’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2022 product account and recorded the fastest growth in the MIMAROPA region, posting 14.7 percent.
The economy of the city was mainly driven by the industries of transportation and storage, accommodation and food service activities, and construction.
Chief Statistical Specialist Maria Lalaine Rodriguez of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Palawan reported that the city’s GDP grew to P53.08B in 2022 from P46.27 P46.27B in 2021. It was faster than the 2.5 percent growth of the city between 2020 and 2021.
The GDP in 2022 exceeded the 2019 pre-pandemic levels of P50.57B.
“In terms of the performance of 16 industries, all posted positive growth in 2022 except financial and insurance activity,” Rodriguez reported during the 2022 Provincial Product Account (PPA).
The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) observed that the main drivers of the local economy in 2022 were service-based industries, accounting for 75.3 percent. It was followed by industry with a 21.4 percent share and agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) with a 3.3 percent share.
“Ngayon talaga ay humarurot at naging doble na ng ating pre-pandemic,” CPDO Coordinator Engr. Jovenee Sagun said.
(from left to right) PSA RSSO SOCD Ma. Liezl Magbojos, Statisticial Specialisy Aaron Paolo Uy, PSA Palawan CSS Ma. Lalaine Rodriguez, PSA RD Leni Rioflorido, City Planning and Development Office Coordinator Engr. Jovenee Sagun, Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Coordinator Sharlene Vilches during the provincial product account information dissemination forum. (Photo by Rachel Ganancial)
The economic output per person, or per capita GDP, also grew to P180,987 in 2022 from P160,384 in 2021, posting 12.8 percent growth. It also exceeded the region’s rate of P121,000.
Sagun cited that some of the possible top contributors are the tourism development programs and projects, promotion and adaptation of digital payments for financial transaction, negosyo centers, business one-stop shop, socialized housing development project, maintenance of city and barangay roads and small infrastructure projects, development of Balayong Park and Sta. Lucia environmental estate development plan.
Palawan economy
Despite positive growth of 1.4 percent in 2022, Palawan is still unable to surpass its pre-pandemic GDP. The 2022 GDP of Palawan was valued at P127.24B.
Most of the major industries showed a negative growth rate in 2022. It manifested in AFF with -7.6 percent and industry with -0.6 percent. The lone industry that recorded a positive rate was services, with 12.7 percent.
A part of presentation showing share of major industries to economy of Palawan.
Sharlene Vilches of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) explained that a decrease in the value of goods for the production of mining in Palawan has been observed in 2022. However, the extension of the exploration contract for the Malampaya gas field until 2039 may help to post positive growth in the coming years.
“We are expecting for the industry as mining drives our industry sector. For AFF, aside from COVID-19, naapektuhan tayo masyado ng Odette. Reflecting from the previous year’s rate of decrease, mas konti na rin ngayon ang decline,” she said.
The Palawan economy is rebounding from 2021’s rate of -1.4 percent. Its per capita GDP had a -0.1 growth rate of P132,430, down from P132,529 in 2021.
PPDO expects that continuous support for fishermen and farmers, like the farm-to-plate approach, will help to record positive growth for AFF. However, Vilches said Palawan still needs a few years to exceed its pre-pandemic GDP.
As per the assessment, specific industries that need interventions are agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.
Palawan is also preparing for economic, social, and environmental factors that may affect its economy, such as climate change in the production sector to impact food supply, health-related risks or outbreaks, and territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea. (RG/PIA Mimaropa – Palawan)
