BORONGAN CITY-Eastern Samar made history this year after posting a 10.2 percent growth in its economy, the highest in the entire Philippines, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The report was presented today, October 16, by Ronnie Bajado, Chief Statistical Specialist of PSA Eastern Samar, during the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) Dissemination Forum held at Melinda’s Resort and Restaurant, Borongan City.
Bajado said that Eastern Samar’s economy is now valued at P40.42 billion based on 2018 prices. This means that the province’s total production of goods and services, from farming to trade and construction, grew faster than any other province or city in the country in 2024.
According to PSA data, the biggest contributors to this growth were: agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which added 3.5 percentage points to the overall growth; construction, which contributed 1.8 percentage points; and wholesale and retail trade (including motor vehicle repair), which added 1.0 percentage point.
The services sector remained the top performer, making up 54.2 percent of the province’s economy. This includes jobs and businesses in trade, education, and public services. The industry sector, which includes construction and manufacturing, accounted for 31.3 percent, while agriculture, forestry, and fishing made up 14.5 percent.
Eastern Samar’s per capita GDP was recorded at P85,502, meaning that, on average, each Estehanon contributed that amount to the local economy in 2024.
(PIA-EASTERN SAMAR/VEE TOLENTINO-GUMBAN)
