For 2023 period
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Samar emerged as Eastern Visayas’ fastest-growing economy in 2023, recording an impressive 8.1% growth rate, outpacing the region’s overall economic expansion of 6.38%, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The PSA’s report, released on November 28, highlighted the robust performance of the services sector as the key driver of regional growth.
Eastern Samar’s economy specifically benefited from gains in transportation and storage, construction, and mining and quarrying. The province’s total economic output reached P36.72 billion for the year.
Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone welcomed the positive results but emphasized the need to sustain and expand growth to ensure inclusivity.
“We must focus on anti-poverty initiatives, targeting families in remote barangays,” said Evardone. “Key programs in education, health, agriculture, tourism, and peace and security will be strengthened to address underdevelopment.”
The governor outlined strategies to sustain growth, namely, on agriculture: investments in seeds, fertilizers, post-harvest facilities, irrigation, and marketing agricultural products locally and globally; and on tourism: improving access to historical, cultural, and natural attractions while encouraging private investment in tourism infrastructure.
In the sector of education, by expanding scholarship programs to ensure at least one college graduate per family while on health, broadening access to free healthcare services to ease financial burdens on families.
Evardone also credited national government agencies and development partners for their collaboration, which enabled effective implementation of pro-poor programs.
The province achieved a significant reduction in poverty incidence, dropping from 40.9% in 2018 to 24.7% in 2023—the largest decline in Eastern Visayas, according to PSA data.
“This 16.2% decrease underscores the impact of inclusive development. Our focus on uplifting communities will further enhance living standards,” Evardone said.
Meanwhile, Tacloban City, the regional capital and Eastern Visayas’ only highly urbanized city, reported a 6.9% economic growth rate in 2023. While still strong, it was slower than its 2022 growth rate of 13.8%.
Meantime, Leyte province has posted a 6.4 percent growth; Northern Samar, 3.7 growth; Samar at 6.1; Southern Leyte, 7.3 percent; and Biliran with an economic growth of 6.6 percent.
JOEY A. GABIETA
