Value of domestic trade posts at PHP149.14 billion; quantity of domestic trade records at 4.09 million tons

The total quantity of domestic trade transactions via water and air increased by 21.4 percent to 4.09 million tons during the third quarter of 2016 from 3.37 million tons in the same period of 2015. About 99.8 percent were traded through water.

Similarly, the total value of commodities that flowed within the country reached PHP149.14 billion during the third quarter of 2016.  It increased by 65.0 percent from PHP90.40 billion in the same period of 2015.

By commodity type, machinery and transport equipment amounting to PHP47.31 billion accounted for the biggest, sharing 31.7 percent of total value of domestic trade during the third quarter of 2016.  Food and live animals with PHP36.53 billion ranked second or 24.5 percent, followed by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with PHP21.42 billion (14.4%).

During the third quarter of 2015, it was food and live animals that contributed the largest value amounting to PHP23.42 billion or 25.9 percent of the total trade value.  Followed by machinery and transport equipment with PHP20.54 billion (22.7%) and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with PHP15.29 billion (16.9%).  Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes had the least value worth PHP954.46 million (1.1%).

Value of domestic trade highest for National Capital Region (NCR)

Among regions, National Capital Region accounted for highest share to total domestic trade value posting at PHP33.85 billion or 22.7 percent.  Western Visayas ranked second with PHP31.70 billion (21.3%), followed closely by Northern Mindanao with PHP18.19 billion (12.2%).  CALABARZON contributed the least share in value of domestic trade amounting to only PHP210.90 million or 0.1 percent of total.

 Central Luzon shows highest favorable trade balance

During the third quarter of 2016, Central Luzon posted the highest positive trade balance at PHP12.60 billion.  Other regions recording billion of pesos of positive trade balance or more are:

• Eastern Visayas, PHP10.67 billion;
• National Capital Region, PHP9.21 billion;
• Northern Mindanao, PHP5.25 billion;
• Davao Region, PHP4.68 billion;
• Western Visayas, PHP2.00 billion; and
• SOCCSKSARGEN, PHP1.80 billion

 On the other hand, Central Visayas registered the highest negative trade balance of PHP19.49 billion.  Other regions with a negative trade balance of a billion pesos or more are:

• Caraga, PHP13.02 billion
• CALABARZON, PHP6.01 billion;
• Zamboanga Peninsula, PHP4.40 billion;
• MIMAROPA, PHP2.11 billion; and
• Ilocos Region, PHP1.27 billion

Technical Notes

Domestic trade statistics are compiled from coasting manifests and coastwise passenger manifest collected from Philippine Ports Authority and from airway bills from Philippine Airlines collected by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Commodity flow or domestic trade statistics are generated from these administrative-based documents to record flows of goods through air, rail, and water transport systems in the country.  One limitation of this set of statistics is rail mode of transport is not covered in the compilation.

All copies of documents are compiled and processed in the provincial statistical offices.  Data review, generation of quarterly statistical tables, and preparation of Special Release are done in the Central Office.

All documents received after the cut-off date, however, are processed and included in the generation of the annual revised statistical tables.

Data on the inflow and outflow of commodities in the different regions of the country are used to construct inter-regional and inter-industry relation tables.

The 1999 Philippine Standard Commodity Classification (PSCC) is used to classify the commodities at the most detailed level for statistical purposes.

The Special Release of the Commodity Flow in the Philippines is posted in the PSA website three months after the reference quarter.

Documents from the following provinces/cities were not yet received as of December 12, 2016, thus, are not included in this Special Release:

Data on domestic trade statistics are available at Trade Statistics Division with telephone number: 376-19-75, Economic Sector Statistics Service.

FOR THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN: