By Xander Ledesma
Iloilo City emerged as the fastest-growing economy in Western Visayas in 2023, posting a 10.5 percent growth rate, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The city’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose to PHP160.28 billion, up from PHP145.07 billion in 2022.
The announcement was made during the PSA’s Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) dissemination forum for Iloilo on Tuesday.
“This performance makes Iloilo City the fastest-growing economy in Western Visayas and the second fastest-growing highly urbanized city in the Philippines in 2023,” the PSA reported.
The city’s growth was largely attributed to the services sector, which contributed 87.7 percent to its GDP. Industry accounted for 9.9 percent, while agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) contributed 2.4 percent.
Accommodation and food services, transportation and storage, and other services led the growth with rates of 48.3 percent, 28 percent, and 18.9 percent, respectively.
Mayor Jerry Treñas lauded the achievement, saying, “Iloilo City has risen not only as the fastest-growing city in Western Visayas but also as the second fastest-growing highly urbanized city nationwide. This success reflects the dedication of our business community, the efficiency of our local government, and the unwavering support of every Ilonggo.”
In contrast, the province of Iloilo saw a slower growth rate of 4.6 percent in 2023 compared to 8.5 percent in 2022. However, its GDP rose to PHP215.42 billion from PHP206.01 billion in the previous year.
The province’s growth was also driven by the services sector, which contributed over 56 percent to its GDP, followed by AFF at 22.7 percent, and industry at 20.8 percent.
Key industries in the province, including transportation and storage, accommodation and food services, and other services, grew at rates of 22.8 percent, 23.4 percent, and 26.3 percent, respectively.
PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa highlighted the significance of the localized GDP estimates, marking the first time the PSA has released PPA data for 82 provinces and 33 highly urbanized cities.
“These GDP estimates are more than just numbers. They tell the story of local economies and provide insights that empower local governments to better understand their economic realities,” Mapa concluded.