Most provinces, top cities had economic growth in 2022

Nearly all provinces and highly urbanized cities (HUCs) reported growing economies in 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

The Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) indicator had Aklan as the fastest growing of all provinces and HUCs with 22.5% in 2022, accelerating from 3.4% in the prior year.

In terms of share of national gross domestic product (GDP), Laguna led with 5% in 2022, followed by Cavite (3.7%) and Batangas (3.1%).

The combined GDP of the 82 provinces and 17 HUCs, according to the PPA, was P13.68 trillion as of November 2023, accounting for 68.6% of national GDP, the PSA said.

The PSA was publishing the PPA results for the first time for 16 regions outside Metro Manila, which include 82 provinces and 17 HUCs.

The PPA compiles the GDP at the subnational level.

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Ban tricycles, pedicabs on highways, LGUs told

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Tuesday urged local government units to strictly enforce the prohibition of tricycles and pedicabs on national highways.

Abalos issued the statement following an accident involving a tricycle and a passenger bus on a national highway in Labo, Camarines Norte on February 4.

"Unfortunately, many LGUs have not been strictly implementing such regulations which often result in traffic congestion and accidents," Abalos said, noting that while tricycles and pedicabs provide accessible and affordable modes of transportation, the safety of the riding public must not be set aside.

Abalos cited several directives prohibiting tricycles and pedicabs on national highways, including DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-036 issued in February 2020 and Memorandum Circular No. 2020-145, which reiterated the previous order.

Memorandum Circular 2023-195 was also released for the reorganization of the Tricycle Task Force and Tricycle Route Plan of each LGU.

In cases where there are no alternative routes available, the LGU through its local legislative body could issue an exception.

Data from Metro Manila Accident and Reporting System said that in 2022 alone, 2,829 road accidents were recorded involving bikes, e-bikes and pedicabs.

A total of 2,241 accidents involving tricycles were recorded during the same period.

Source: Manila Times

DoF expanding support for LGU climate projects

The Department of Finance (DoF) said it is ramping up support for local government units (LGUs) on climate financing.

“The DoF stands ready to assist LGUs in the realization of their climate projects, thus advancing the Philippines’ climate agenda as envisioned in the President’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of establishing livable and sustainable communities,” Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said.

The department said it has been “directing more strategic resources for better adaptive capacity at the local level, investing in resilient communities and local governments, and mobilizing resources for social protection.”

To date, the DoF as chair of the People’s Survival Fund Board has approved 11 climate adaptation projects and six projects for project development grants worth P889.6 million.

The Bureau of Local Government Finance is also planning to help LGUs allocate their revenue towards climate-related projects.

“Furthermore, the DoF has actively formulated fiscal policies such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), and the Sustainable Finance Roadmap to foster a more enabling environment for private sector participation in green investments,” it added.

Earlier, the department announced that the Philippines joined the board of the Vulnerable 20 Group of Finance Ministers, organized under the Group of Seven Global Shield Against Climate Risks program.

This helps countries vulnerable to climate risks have more access to financing for disaster protection.

Source: Business World