19 December 2022 – Iloilo City. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) releases the first ever report of the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) of Western Visayas covering the period 2018 to 2021. This release covers six provinces, namely, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, as well as the two Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) of Iloilo and Bacolod.

The PPA results showed that all the economies in Western Visayas grew in 2021, rebounding from the declines recorded in 2020. Of the 5.9 percent growth of the region in 2021, Negros Occidental led the growth with 1.9 percentage points contribution. This was followed by the City of Iloilo and the Province of Iloilo with contributions of 1.0 percentage point each. (Table 1)

In terms of distribution of the regional economy in 2021, Negros Occidental had the highest share with 26.4 percent. It was followed by Iloilo Province accounting for 21.7 percent. Meanwhile, the two HUCs – City of Iloilo and City of Bacolod, had respective shares of 15.1 percent and 13.8 percent. They were followed by the rest of the provinces in the following order: Capiz (7.8 percent); Antique (7.4 percent); Aklan (5.9 percent); and Guimaras (1.7 percent). (Table 1 and Figure 1)

The PPA is a mechanism to compile the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the subregional level. Complementing the GDP at the national level and the      Gross Regional Domestic Product at the 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 that monitor economic development at the local level. Moreover, the PPA is viewed as a means to strengthen the planning and decision-making of provincial policymakers and stakeholders in crafting more informed economic policies.

Western Visayas, along with CALABARZON, CAR, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, and SOCCSKSARGEN, were selected as pilot regions for the compilation of PPA in 2022. In 2021, MIMAROPA Region, Northern Mindanao, and Central Visayas were the pilot regions. To date, the PPA compilation covers 46 provinces and 13 HUCs in the nine regions. The results covering the period 2018 to 2021 were consistent with the annual regional accounts released on 28 April 2022.

Complete statistical tables, charts, and data visuals on the PPA of Western Visayas can be accessed at http://psa.gov.ph/ppa. Results of the PPA are also released by the respective provincial offices of the PSA through http://rsso06.psa.gov.ph/ppa.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General