Elyssa Carbonilla of PSA Southern Leyte shares the economic performance of the province during a media forum on February 18. (Photo courtesy of Dahlia Orit, Radyo Pilipinas Sogod)
MAASIN CITY (PIA) — Businesses engaging in services for repair of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, as well as those dealing with wholesale and retail trade, have greatly contributed to the economic upsurge of Southern Leyte province.
Records from the provincial office of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the economic performance of the province, measured in terms of its gross domestic product (GDP), has risen to 7.3 percent from 2022 to 2023, a notable rise from 3.9 percent GDP growth rate recorded from 2021 to 2022.
This improvement was attributed to the performances of 16 industries, with data collected from 19 local government units (LGUs), and some national government agencies.
Also, among the sources of collected data from the field were those from the energy sector through the Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO), the province’s lone power distributor, and the water districts, shared Elyssa Carbonilla, PSA Southern Leyte staff, during the media forum on February 18 at the PSA provincial office.
The previous lower growth rate can be attributed to restrictions on movements during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the onslaught of typhoon Odette on December 16, 2021.
With the downturn generally over and a rebound was ongoing, PSA reported that out of the 16 industries that were vetted, repair of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, ranked second, registering a 1.28 percent growth rate.
The said rate is just slightly below the construction sector, which topped the list at 1.31 percent, while the sector on Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing ranked third with 1.05 percent growth rate.
Jay-R Balbarona, owner of a repair shop and motor spare parts store in Brgy. Combado, and a mechanic himself, confirmed the positive trend in this sector where he belongs.
He noted that with motorcycles now available at low down payments, many customers have acquired units, particularly since motorcabs serve as the primary means of transportation in the city.
“Barato na man lagi ang mga motor karon. Bisag asa naay motor, bisan maglabog lang og basura naka-motor. Magbasak naa. Mamakal naa motor gihapon. Mao nang kusog gyod, samot barato rang pisa, makaya nila,” Balbarona pointed out.
(Motorcycle units are now cheap. Everywhere there are motor vehicles, carrying garbage, scrap metals, at the farm. That is why business is strong, especially with cheap, affordable spare parts.)
Balbarona’s repair services remain in high demand, even from his location on the outskirts of the city. (MMP/PIA Southern Leyte)
