The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released the first ever report of the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) of Caraga covering the period 2018 to 2022. The release covers five provinces, namely, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, as well as one highly urbanized city (HUC), namely, City of Butuan.

The PPA results showed that in 2022, Surigao del Norte had the largest share to Caraga’s economy, accounting for 24.2 percent. Agusan del Sur followed with a share of 22.9 percent. Meanwhile, Surigao del Sur, City of Butuan, Agusan del Norte, and Dinagat Islands had shares of 19.5 percent, 17.7 percent, 11.9 percent, and 3.7 percent, respectively. (Figure 1)

Figure 1. Share of Provinces and HUC to Caraga's GDP, 
At Constant 2018 Prices: 2022 (In Percent)

In terms of growth rate, City of Butuan recorded the fastest growth among the economies in Caraga with 9.5 percent. Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte also expanded, growing by 6.9 percent, 6.8 percent, 4.8 percent, and 3.7 percent, respectively. On the other hand, Dinagat Islands posted a decline of 4.3 percent. (Figure 2)

Figure 2. Economic Performance of Provinces and HUC in Caraga 
Growth Rates (in Percent), 2021 to 2022 
At Constant 2018 Prices

Agusan del Sur accounted for the biggest share to the PhP 37.42 billion total value of Caraga’s Agriculture, forestry and fishing with 37.8 percent. This was followed by Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte with 29.0 percent and 17.7 percent shares, respectively. (Table 1)

Meanwhile, of the PhP 111.01 billion total value of Industry in the region, Surigao del Norte had the biggest share of 28.8 percent. Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur ranked second and third with respective shares of 22.5 percent and 18.0 percent. (Table 1)

Similarly, Surigao del Norte had the biggest share to the PhP 175.43 billion total value of the region’s Services with 24.4 percent. City of Butuan and Agusan del Sur followed with 23.5 percent and 20.0 percent shares, respectively. (Table 1)

Table 1. Share of Provinces and HUC to Caraga's Major Industry, 
At Constant 2018 Prices: 2022

The PPA is a mechanism to compile the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the subregional level. Complementing the GDP at the national and regional level, the PPA will provide a suitable measure of economic performance at the provincial and HUC level. It will also be a source of indicators to monitor economic development at the local level. Moreover, the PPA is also viewed as a means to strengthen the planning and decision-making of subregional policymakers and stakeholders in crafting more informed economic policies.

Caraga, along with Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were included as pilot regions for the compilation of PPA in 2023. To date, 82 provinces and 17 HUCs have compiled their PPA from the 16 regions of the Philippines. Further, the results of the PPA were consistent with the annual regional accounts released on 27 April 2023.

Complete statistical tables, charts, and data visuals on the PPA of Caraga can be accessed at psa.gov.ph/statistics/ppa. Results of the PPA are also released by the respective provincial offices of the PSA through rssocaraga.psa.gov.ph/statistics/ppa.

DIVINA GRACIA L. DEL PRADO, PhD 
Assistant Secretary 
Deputy National Statistician 
Sectoral Statistics Office