LUNA, Apayao – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has released its report of the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) for the province covering the period 2021 to 2022, on Monday, December 11.
The dissemination forum took place at RJ Domingo Fish Farm and Resort, in Alem Pudtol, Apayao.
Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) is a mechanism to compile the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces to provide a suitable measure of economic performance at the provincial level and highly urbanized cities (HUC) level, as well as a source of indicators to monitor the development or progress at the local level. It is also seen as a way to assist provincial policymakers’ planning and decision-making in developing more informed economic policies.
PSA Regional Director Villafe Alibuyug, in her message expressed that the PPA is the PSA’s contribution to the local planners of the province. “This is our contribution to the aspirations of our local planners and policymakers to be able to present a comprehensive picture of the provincial economy, including highly urbanized cities, by providing them with a more appropriate measure and assessment of the provincial economic performance,” she said.
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Henry Caluducan expressed that the province is gradually moving forward in its economic development, as evidenced by the share of construction industry and other services, and vowed to pursue Apayao’s vision of becoming an investment hub in the far north.
He highlighted the importance of boosting the agriculture industry, which, despite having declined share in the economy, is still the main economic activity of the yApayaos.
Caluducan likewise commended the PSA for compiling the economic figures entailed in the PPA. “We laud the Philippine Statistics Authority for coming up with this economic data that guides us in our economic development efforts. I then urged everyone for a more collaborative and stronger coordination, for us to be able to gather accurate information and data for use in the formulation of government interventions, policies and investment programs,” he concluded. By Jomela Dela Torre
