CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development are urging local government units in Central Luzon to use the latest economic data as a basis for development planning, investment programming, and monitoring to ensure that the region’s economic gains translate into inclusive and sustainable growth.
PSA Pampanga chief statistical specialist Maria Virginia Olveña said the 2025 Provincial Product Accounts (PPA), released on August 28, provide a comprehensive picture of the size, structure, and performance of provincial and highly urbanized city economies.
Covering all 82 provinces and 33 highly urbanized cities nationwide, the 2025 PPA can provide an important economic baseline for provinces and highly urbanized cities, Olveña said.
She encouraged LGUs, development partners, and other government agencies to use the PPA results alongside other relevant data in designing and monitoring programs and projects that respond to the needs of local communities.
The PSA said the institutionalization of the PPA in 2025 has also supported improvements in the compilation of Provincial Economic Accounts, including the development of the Subnational Economic Account System and the expansion of the quarterly survey of Philippine business and industry.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen the availability, timeliness, and reliability of economic information at the local level.
Meanwhile, DEPDev Region 3 director Nerrisa Esguerra emphasized the critical role of LGUs in translating national and regional development plans into concrete programs and investments.
“Efficient and effective local governance is crucial,” Esguerra said, noting that LGUs serve as key ‘touch points’ for citizens, businesses, private investors, and national government agencies implementing programs and projects.
She said national-local collaboration remains an important cross-cutting strategy as Central Luzon takes advantage of opportunities from infrastructure development, economic zones, digital transformation, and the Luzon Economic Corridor while addressing persistent development constraints.
Esguerra also highlighted DEPDev’s continuing assistance to LGUs in development planning, investment programming, and monitoring and evaluation.
She said DEPDev launched the Provincial Development Planning Framework on Sept. 25, followed by training for DEPDev personnel and provincial planning officers to strengthen the capacity of provincial governments to translate development priorities into coordinated plans and investments.
For Pampanga, the 2025 PPA recorded a 5.6% economic expansion, with industry providing the largest contribution to growth. Angeles City, meanwhile, posted 3.7% growth, with services remaining its largest economic sector.
PSA and DEPDev said such figures should not be viewed merely as measures of economic performance but as evidence that can guide decisions on infrastructure, investment, agriculture, enterprise development, workforce development, and public services. Marie Joy S. Carbungco/PIA-3