2014 Four th Q uar ter Reg ional Economic Situationer
ZamPen in Review: Regional Economic Situationer A Fourth Quarter Issue Overview Zamboanga Peninsula promises a good start for the coming year with the good performance recorded in the agriculture and fisheries sector during the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014. Palay and corn registered increases in production at 17.03 percent and 9.20 percent, respectively. Abaca and banana also recorded consistent increases during the same period. However, rubber posted 4.10 percent in production during the 3rd quarter but declined by 7.58 percent in the 4th quarter. Except for cassava which decreased by 32.1 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the same period a year ago, the production of other crops increased, such as cabbage, cacao, calamansi, camote, coffee, durian, eggplant, lanzones, mongo, peanut, pineapple, tobacco and tomato. During the 4th quarter of 2014, only camote and pineapple recorded decreases in output at 4.6 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively. Fisheries production grew by 6.28 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014 and 6.92 percent in the 4th quarter. The inventory of carabao, chicken, goat and swine increased during the 4th quarter of 2014 while that of cattle and duck declined. Inflation rate fell from 6 percent in June to 4 percent in December - an effect of the continued decline of oil prices in the global market in 2014.
The region’s labor force grew by 0.63 percent but the labor force participation rate decreased from 63.9 percent to 63.5 percent. However, the region had the highest employment rate among the six regions in Mindanao during the period.
With regard to investments the number of new businesses declined by 15.21 percent. Zamboanga Peninsula was generally peaceful during the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014. This could be attributed to the decrease in crime Page 1
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incidents in all provinces in the region including Zamboanga City. Total crime volume declined by 11.19 percent in the 3rd quarter and further declined by 13.83 percent during the 4th quarter of 2014. Agriculture and Fisheries Production: 3rd and 4th Quarter Review
Palay and Corn During the 4th Table. 1.A Palay Production, By Province, Region IX quarter of 2014, Fourth Quarters, 2013-2014 production of (In Metric Tons) palay in the 2014 2013 Percent Province/City region improved Change 4th Quarter by 17.03 percent 152,018 17.03 Zamboanga Peninsula 177,909 against production 31.20 5,010 6,573 p e r f o r m a n c e Zamboanga City (11.96) 25,695 22,622 during the same Zamboanga del Norte 5.24 94,145 Zamboanga del Sur 99,075 period a year 82.71 27,168 49,639 ago. In the 3rd Zamboanga Sibugay Source of data: Philippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural quarter of 2014, Statistics (PSA-BAS) 9 palay production decreased by 6.59 percent compared to the production in the same period in 2013. A decline of 13.35 percent was recorded between the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014 (Table 1.A). The highest increase in palay production between the 4th quarters of 2013 and 2014 was experienced in Zamboanga Sibugay at 82.71 percent, followed by Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur at 31.20 percent and 5.24 percent, respectively. The increase in the area harvested in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur contributed to the huge increment in the province’s production during the period. Unlike in the other areas of the region, Zamboanga del Norte recorded a decrease of 11.96 percent in palay production due to reduced yield per hectare. Page 2
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Table. 1.B Palay Production, By Province, Region IX Third Quarters, 2013-2014 (In Metric Tons)
Despite the increase in palay production in 2014 2013 Percent the 3rd quarter Province/City Change of 2014 in 3rd Quarter Z a m b o a n g a Zamboanga Peninsula 205,330 219,827 (6.59) del Norte, 3.78 Zamboanga City 10,548 10,164 Zamboanga 18.24 Zamboanga del Norte 39,006 32,990 del Sur and 4.07 Zamboanga City Zamboanga del Sur 111,737 107,364 (36.46) compared Zamboanga Sibugay 44,039 69,309 to Source of data: PSA-BAS 9 the 3rd quarter of 2013, the decrease of 36.46 percent in Zamboanga Sibugay greatly affected the overall palay production of the region with a decrease of 6.59 percent (Table 1.B).
Table 1.C also shows that during the 3rd Table. 1.C Palay Production, By Province, Region IX Third and Fourth Quarters, 2014 and 4th quarters (In Metric Tons) of 2014, harvest of 2014 Percent palay in Zamboanga Province/City Change 4th Qtr. 3rd Qtr. Sibugay increased (13.35) 205,330 177,909 by 12.72 percent. Zamboanga Peninsula (37.68) 10,548 6,573 However, the region Zamboanga City (42.00) 39,006 22,622 still registered a Zamboanga del Norte (11.33) 111,737 Zamboanga del Sur 99,075 decrease of 13.35 12.72 44,039 49,639 percent during the Zamboanga Sibugay Source of data: PSA-BAS 9 period due to the decrease in production in Zamboanga del Norte (42%), Zamboanga City (37.68%), and Zamboanga del Sur (11.33%).
The decline in palay production of the region between the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014 in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur was attributed to reduced area harvested, delayed planting, insufficient supply of water from irrigation systems and very Page 3
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low rainfall during the period (Figure 1-A).
Zamboanga del Sur registered a minimal increase in yield per hectare of 4.48 percent while Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Sibugay recorded a decrease ( Fig. 1-A) causing the region’s yield per hectare to decline between the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014 (Figure 1-B). Meanwhile, corn production increased by 9.20 percent in the 4th quarter and 23.16 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. All areas in Region IX recorded substantial increase in production during the period. Zamboanga City registered with the highest production growth in the 4th quarter at 50.19 percent and Zamboanga del Norte in the 3rd quarter at 100.83 percent. Table 2.
Corn Production and Area Harvested, By Province, Region IX Third and Fourth Quarters, 2013-2014 (In Metric Tons) Corn Production
Province/City
2014
2013
4th Quarter Zamboanga Peninsula
Percent Change
2014
Area Harvested 2013
3rd Quarter
Percent Change
2014
2013 Percent 4th Quarter Change
2014
2013
3rd Quarter
Precent Change
71,376
65,361
9.20
103,453
83,996
23.16
43,919
40,587
8.21
57,048
51,939
2,890
1,915
50.91
6,123
4,806
27.40
1,164
948
22.78
2,320
2,305
0.65
Zamboanga del Norte
15,865
12,896
23.02
28,586
14,234
100.83
13,639
10,872
25.45
16,068
12,427
29.30
Zamboanga del Sur
50,097
48,257
3.81
59,208
57,626
2.75
27,480
27,244
0.87
32,967
32,754
0.65
Zamboanga Sibugay
2,524
2,293
10.07
9,536
7,330
30.10
1,636
1,523
7.42
5,693
4,453
27.85
Zamboanga City
9.84
Source of data: PSA-BAS 9
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Between the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014 however, corn production fell from 103,453 metric tons to 71,376 metric tons, respectively (Figure 2). The decrease in production was observed in all the areas in the region.
The trend in corn production in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014 follows a downward behavior which is similar to the trend indicated during the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2013. In most areas in the region, harvesting of corn was conducted in the later part of the 3rd quarter, hence the reduced harvest during the last quarter of 2014. In addition, there is a decrease in area harvested with corn during the period (Table 2). Champion Products and High Value Crops
In the 3rd quarter of 2014, the production of abaca, banana and rubber registered an increase of 2.80 percent, 4.19 percent and 4.10 percent, respectively compared to the 3rd quarter of 2013; coconut and mango on the other hand slightly declined by 0.46 percent and 0.75 percent, respectively. However, rubber production decreased during the 4th quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 with coconut and mango further declined by 1.13 percent and 8.55 percent, respectively.
The slight decrease in coconut production in the 3rd quarter was due to the decrease in production in Zamboanga del Norte (1.13%) and Zamboanga del Sur (2.72%) while the decreased mango production Page 5
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in Zamboanga del Sur (26.46%) and Zamboanga City (4.26%) resulted to the decrease in the region’s mango production by 0.75 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014.
Coconut and mango remained low in the 4th quarter. Mango decreased further by 8.65 percent and coconut by 1.13 percent while rubber registered a decrease of 7.58 percent due to a decline in production in Zamboanga del Sur (10.45%) and Zamboanga Sibugay (8.12%).
Table 3. Champion Product and High Value Crop Region IX: Third and Fourth Quarters, 2013-2014 Province/ 2014P 2013 2014P 2013 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter City/Crop Percent Percent Production Production Change Production Production Change (MT) (MT) (MT) (MT) ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA Abaca
156.13
151.88
2.80
202.79
192.41
Banana
68,233.17
65,489.52
4.19
93,632.59
92,654.00
1.06
Coconut
420,437.21
422,376.77
(0.46)
423,920.46
428,764.00
(1.13)
Mango
11,352.88
11,439.16
(0.75)
11,622.18
12,723.23
(8.65)
Rubber
43,875.64
42,148.37
4.10
78,263.75
84,686.79
(7.58)
5.39
ZAMBOANGA CITY Abaca
30.40
28.77
5.67
53.00
42.00
26.19
Banana
24,572.50
23,535.44
4.41
21,525.00
20,966.76
2.66
Coconut
57,900.40
57,408.25
0.86
56,660.00
55,975.40
1.22
Mango
4,961.55
5,182.57
(4.26)
4,712.30
4,839.70
(2.63)
Rubber
755.80
718.44
598.80
555.40
7.81
5.20
ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE Abaca
54.12
52.12
3.84
52.19
50.45
3.45
Banana
26,547.14
25,658.59
3.46
29,134.55
28,925.42
0.72
Coconut
187,228.84
189,371.31
(1.13)
190,621.60
187,190.47
Mango
4,884.52
4,313.26
13.24
1,763.36
1,962.73
(10.16)
Rubber
6,185.29
6,499.51
(4.83)
6,338.69
6,149.52
3.08 3.78
1.83
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR Abaca
31.61
28.17
12.21
51.38
49.51
Banana
11,937.51
11,585.76
3.04
33,549.42
33,237.93
0.94
Coconut
138,732.49
142,614.01
(2.72)
128,578.76
138,612.24
(7.24)
Mango
1,269.27
1,726.07
(26.46)
3,848.57
4,145.05
(7.15)
Rubber
3,956.73
4,138.81
(4.40)
12,455.71
13,908.57
(10.45)
(6.59)
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY Abaca
40.00
42.82
46.22
50.45
(8.38)
Banana
5,176.02
4,709.73
9.90
9,423.62
9,523.89
(1.05)
Coconut
36,575.48
32,983.20
10.89
48,060.10
46,985.89
2.29
Mango
237.54
217.26
9.33
1,297.95
1,775.75
(26.91)
Rubber
32,977.82
30,791.61
7.10
58,870.55
64,073.30
(8.12)
P - Preliminary Estimates Source of data: PSA-BAS IX
The poor performance of the coconut industry during the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 was due to the effect of previous year’s long dry season. Most mango trees in the region were affected by successive rains during flowering stage in all of the region’s provinces and in Zamboanga City. Meanwhile, rain and low buying price of rubber in Zamboanga Sibugay were factors affecting the tapping activities of rubber farmers in the province. Page 6
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Crops
Volume of Production of Other Crops, Region IX Third and Fourth Quarters, 2013-2014 (In Metric Tons) 4th Quarter 2014
2013
Percent Change
3rd Quarter 2014
2013
Percent Change
493.90
332.21
48.7
98.89
87.87
12.5
37.60
35.75
5.2
31.57
24.26
30.1
3,777.16
1,731.39
118.2
3,464.16
2,507.71
38.1
Camote
12,672.52
13,284.90
(4.6)
5,198.00
4,404.67
18.0
Cassava
23,702.26
21,517.79
10.2
27,762.45
21,018.07
32.1
Coffee
478.08
473.06
1.1
178.32
174.54
2.2
Durian
242.09
224.86
7.7
554.64
196.75
181.9
Eggplant
1,407.92
1,349.47
4.3
891.31
840.36
6.1
Lanzones
15.99
13.47
18.7
1,791.29
61.91
2,793.4
Mongo
56.57
53.38
6.0
46.79
43.20
8.3
Peanut
637.35
588.10
8.4
249.88
168.02
48.7
Pineapple
847.28
857.64
(1.2)
364.40
261.08
39.6
4.76
4.29
11.0
3.31
1.85
78.9
1,951.46
1,527.49
27.8
417.41
357.23
16.8
Cabbage Cacao Calamansi
Tobacco Tomato
Source of data: PSA-BAS
Other Crops Production of other crops such as cabbage, cacao, calamansi, camote, coffee, durian, eggplant, lanzones, mongo, peanut, pineapple, tobacco and tomato increased except cassava which decreased by 32.1 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the same period a year ago.
In the 4th quarter, camote and pineapple registered decline in production while the other crops continued to soar. Cassava recovered and recorded an increase of 10.2 percent. This is due to the increased number of active participants among cassava farmers to the Local Government Unit’s (LGU’s) cassava programs in the region.
Cabbage is susceptible to worms affecting its production. But cabbage farmers enjoyed good harvest during the second half of 2014 due to less infestation of cut worm and diamondback moth especially in Zamboanga City. Enough inputs application and sufficient soil moisture in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay also influenced the good harvest of cabbage in these provinces. High demand of calamansi among Page 7
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local consumers motivated farmers to tend well the crop resulting to good harvest. Calamansi registered the highest increase of 118.2 percent in the 4th quarter. Fisheries Production
In the 3rd quarter of 2014, the region’s fisheries production increased by 6.28 percent against the same period in 2013. This continued to increase in the 4th quarter registering a rise of 6.92 percent in production compared to the 4th quarter of 2013. The bountiful marine production in the region is attributed to the consistent increase in commercial, municipal, aquaculture and seaweeds production in Zamboanga del Sur (Table 5). Increased frequency in fishing trips due to better weather condition contributed to the increased marine production in the province. In addition, the last quarter of every year is peak season for some marine species like frigate tuna, eastern little tuna, anchovies, yellow fin tuna and sardines. Bountiful catch of these species was recorded during the period.
Source of data: PSA-BAS IX
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2014 Four th Q uar ter Reg ional Economic Situationer Table 5. Fisheries Production, By Province, Region IX Third Quarter 2014 (In Metric Tons) Province/City JULY - SEPTEMBER Type of Production 2014 2013 ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA
Percent OCTOBER - DECEMBER Percent Change Change 2014 2013
PRODUCTION (MT)
145,729.06
137,112.84
6.28
117,621.88
110,010.86
6.92
Commercial
66,554.73
50,332.42
32.23
48,921.25
36,993.95
32.24
Municipal
31,638.48
30,504.50
3.72
26,401.13
29,046.34
(9.11)
Aquaculture
47,535.85
56,275.92
(15.53)
42,299.50
43,970.57
(3.80)
42,941.13
51,944.83
(17.33)
38,170.55
39,730.19
(3.93)
PRODUCTION (MT)
77,205.15
60,830.73
26.92
51,372.06
40,542.86
26.71
Commercial
51,954.04
36,204.05
43.50
34,789.87
23,493.22
48.08
Municipal
12,444.12
11,361.15
9.53
7,978.35
7,818.90
2.04
Aquaculture
12,806.99
13,265.53
(3.46)
8,603.84
9,230.74
(6.79)
12,201.61
12,682.14
(3.79)
Seaweeds
ZAMBOANGA CITY
Seaweeds
8,468.46
9,100.00
(6.94)
ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE PRODUCTION (MT)
12,380.74
12,720.70
(2.67)
9,655.54
10,248.11
(5.78)
Commercial
4,385.26
4,516.78
(2.91)
3,646.58
3,753.10
(2.84)
Municipal
7,410.47
7,725.04
(4.07)
5,440.88
5,885.69
(7.56)
585.01
478.88
22.16
568.08
609.32
50.46
46.80
7.82
PRODUCTION (MT)
24,021.80
22,416.99
7.16
24,691.06
22,860.62
8.01
Commercial
9,565.88
9,081.81
5.33
9,874.51
9,109.34
8.40
Municipal
5,853.99
5,572.87
5.04
6,510.89
6,113.58
6.50
Aquaculture Seaweeds
20.47
12.49
(6.77) 63.89
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
Zamboanga City also registered consistent increase in commercial and municipal fisheries production between the 3rd and 4th quarters against that of 2013. Sea water around Zamboanga City was observed to be tranquil and quiet, hence commercial fishing vessels were able to continue with their fishing activities.
Municipal fishing in the provinces of PRODUCTION (MT) 32,121.37 41,144.43 (21.93) 31,903.23 36,359.27 (12.26) Zamboanga del Norte Commercial 649.55 529.78 22.61 610.29 638.29 (4.39) Municipal 5,929.90 5,845.44 1.44 6,471.01 9,228.17 (29.88) and Zamboanga Aquaculture 25,541.92 34,769.21 (26.54) 24,821.93 26,492.81 (6.31) Sibugay fell by 7.56 Seaweeds 24,818.25 33,913.98 (26.82) 24,072.59 25,506.03 (5.62) Source: PSA-BAS 9 percent and 29.88 percent, respectively. The LGU of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) IX strictly enforced the “no registration of boats, no fishing” policy. Non-registered fishing boats are prohibited to go fishing. In addition, some fishing boats were also under repair and maintenance. Meanwhile, frequent strong water current experienced in Zamboanga del Norte minimized fishermen’s fishing activities. Aquaculture
Seaweeds
8,601.93
7,762.31
10.82
5,870.81
5,301.91
10.73
8,305.66
5,609.04
7,637.70
5,111.67
8.75 9.73
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY
The decreased seaweed production in Zamboanga City is due to reduced area harvested. Some seaweed farms in the City are set to harvest in the first quarter of 2015. Zamboanga Sibugay also recorded decreased aquaculture production of 6.31 percent and seaweeds of 5.62 percent in the 4th quarter of 2014. Decreased area harvested in the province during
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the quarter was recorded. Production of milkfish and brackishwater species declined due to financial constraints experienced among operators while some fishpond operators in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay were greatly affected by the high mortality rate and low survival rate of tiger prawn due to alleged white spot syndrome. Inventory of Livestock and Poultry
The proliferation of chicken barbeque/grill restaurants and diversity in religion and culture further heightened the already high demand for chicken meat in the region. Among the livestock and poultry in Region IX, chicken comprised 84 percent of the total inventory, followed by swine at 8 percent. In the 4th quarter of 2014, the number of chickens increased by 8.55 percent compared to the 3rd quarter of 2013. Zamboanga City posted the highest increase in the number of chickens raised during the period followed by Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay. The number of carabaos in the region also increased by 2.19 percent despite a decrease in Zamboanga del Norte. Cattle and duck decreased by 1.98 percent and 5.05 percent, respectively due to decreased
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inventory in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. The number of goats increased by 1.16 percent while that of swine rose by 2.97 percent. Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay contributed to the increase in the number of goats and swine in the region during the period in review. Prices
Plunges in oil prices was experienced in the world market since June 2014. Gasoline and diesel retail prices in the Philippines dropped by about 20 percent during the second semester of 2014.
Source of data: Philippine Statistics Authority
Lower oil prices redound to lower prices of fuel. The latter generally affects the prices of other consumer products, including movements in inflation rate and transportation costs. Hence, inflation rate for Food and Page 11
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Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Clothing and Footwear, Health, Transport, Recreation and Culture and Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods and Services all decreased. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Gas and Other Fuels and Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House increased slightly by 0.5 percentage point and 0.2 percentage point, respectively. On the other hand, inflation rate for Education did not change Inflation rate in the region started to decrease in June of 2014. By December, it shrank to four (4) percent. In 2013, the inflation rate in the region was erratic, but following an upward trend.
The purchasing power of the peso as oil prices continued to drop, did not improve. It remained at 0.66 from August to December 2014. Labor and Employment
The number of individuals available for work in the region increased by 0.63 percent while the number of individuals actively seeking gainful employment decreased from 63.9 percent in 2013 to 63.5 percent in 2014 (Table 7). Employment rate increased to 97.3 percent from 97.1
Source of basic data: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) IX
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percent. Unemployment rate decreased to 2.7 percent from 2.9 percent while underemployment rate increased to 22.5 percent from 20.3 percent compared to the same period a year ago (Table 7). Zamboanga Peninsula has the highest employment rate among Mindanao regions (Table 8). However, Region IX is second with the highest underemployment rate next to Northern Mindanao. Underemployment rate is a measure of employment and labor utilization in the economy that looks at how well the labor force is being utilized in terms of skills, experience and availability to work. Labor that falls under the underemployment classification includes those workers that are highly skilled but working in low paying jobs, workers that are highly skilled but work in low skill jobs and part-time workers that prefer to have fulltime jobs.
Notes: 1. Details may not add up due to rounding of figures. P - Preliminary Source of data: Philippine Statistics Authority, Labor Force Survey
Investments The number of newly registered business in the region also declined in 2014. New business entrants tallied 828 during the 3rd quarter of 2014 but decreased by 126 or 15.21 percent in the 4th quarter. However, the Page 13
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Figure 8. Number of Newly Registered Business, By Province, Region IX: Fourth Quarter 2014 Small - 0.56% Micro – 99.44%
Zamboanga City 49.85%
Small – 0.38% Micro – 99.62%
Zamboanga del Norte 37.89% 12.25% Zamboanga Sibugay
Micro – 100% Source of basic data: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) IX Note: No data available for Zamboanga del Sur
Table 9. Number of Newly Registered Business, By Province, Region IX 3rd and 4th Quarters 2014 4th Qtr. 2014
3rd Qtr. 2014
Percent Change
Region IX
702
828
(15.21)
ZDN
266
277
(3.97)
ZBY
86
147
(41.49)
350
404
(13.36)
4th Qtr. 2013
3rd Qtr. 2013
Percent Change
Region IX
496
740
(32.97)
ZDN
174
323
(46.13)
ZBY
148
170
(12.94)
ZC
174
247
(29.55)
ZC
Source of basic data: DTI IX Note: No data available for Zamboanga del Sur
decrease in this year’s number of newly registered business is fewer compared to a year ago which decreased by 244 or 32.97 percent by end of 2013 (Table 9).
In Zamboanga Sibugay, a decrease of 41.49 percent was recorded between the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2014 compared to the decrease of 3.97 percent and 13.36 percent in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City, respectively.
Most of the new business registered were located in Zamboanga City. Of the 702 newly registered businesses in the region, 350 businesses are in Zamboanga City. Two or 0.56 percent are small enterprises, and 348 or 99.44 percent are micro-enterprises. In Zamboanga Sibugay, all newly opened businesses are micro-enterprises while in Zamboanga del Norte, 99.62 percent and 0.38 percent are micro and small enterprises, respectively. Small enterprises have paid-up capital between P3 million to P15 million, while micro-enterprises have less than P3 million paidup capital. Despite the continuous threat to the city’s peace and order condition the investor’s confidence fortified with the undeniable efforts Page 14
2014 Four th Q uar ter Reg ional Economic Situationer
of Zamboanga City LGU in keeping the city peaceful.
Zamboanga Peninsula’s economic drivers during the quarter come from retail trade business and the services sectors (Figure 9). Retail trade means occupation or calling of habitually selling direct to the general public merchandise, commodities or good for consumption. Meanwhile, service sector is the portion of the economy that produces intangible goods. The service sector primarily consists of truck transportation, messengerial services and warehousing; information sector services; securities, commodities and other financial investment services; rental and leasing services; professional, scientific and technical services; administrative and support services; waste management and remediation; health care and social assistance; and arts, entertainment and recreation services.
Source of basic data: DTI IX
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2014 Four th Q uar ter Reg ional Economic Situationer
Peace and Order The region’s total crime volume decreased by 13.83 percent during the quarter compared to the same period in 2013. All provinces including Zamboanga City reported a decrease in total crime incidents during the period. Contributing the bigger share in the decrease in the region’s total crime volume is Zamboanga del Sur 31.20 percent (Table 10).
Zamboanga City’s total crime volume also decline between the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2014, from 6,564 to 5,569 or a decrease of 15.16 percent in the 4th quarter of 2014. Safety and security efforts in Zamboanga City were continually implemented. Task Force Zamboanga’s TFZs patrol cars rove around the city proper to broadcast information on public safety, and to prompt residents to remain vigilant. This is part of the TFZ’s campaign Plan Bayanihan, an advocacy that seeks to encourage residents to cooperate and work together with authorities to maintain peace and order in Zamboanga City. The TFZ also worked with barangays through the Bayanihan Team activities which intend to make barangays inhospitable to threat groups who seek to use them as entry points or safety havens. However, rape incidents in the region increased by 47.62 percent in the 4th quarter of 2014 compared to the cases during the same quarter in 2013. Registering the highest increase in rape cases is Zamboanga City 66.7 percent. This was followed by Zamboanga del Norte (58.8%) ,
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Zamboanga Sibugay (52.9%) and Zamboanga del Sur (13%). Rape is the only crime which recorded an increase during the period in the region (Table 13). Among the reasons cited for the increase in rape cases were the proliferation of illegal substance users around the region and the negative effects of media and other social networking sites on the viewing public. Recording of rape cases also improved with increased awareness of victims and their families on whom to approach/report the incident.
The average monthly crime rate of Zamboanga Peninsula decreased from 112.7 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2014 to 107.75 percent. The decrease is attributed to the drop in Zamboanga City’s average monthly crime rate from 251.42 percent to 213.31 percent. Crime clearance efficiency and crime solution efficiency rates both improved from 20.3 percent to 36.84 percent and from 28 percent to 34.7 percent, respectively.
Development Prospects Ecuador, the second largest abaca producer, announced that it will cut its production in 2015 by 7,000 metric tons (MT). With this possible opening for local farmers in the Philippines, OIC-Executive Director Eduardo Holoyohoy of Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) urged agriculture farmers to plant more abaca to get a bigger share in the world market. In 2010, the Philippines produced about 57,000 MT of abaca fiber while Ecuador produced 10,000 MT. World Page 17
2014 Four th Q uar ter Reg ional Economic Situationer
production is valued at around US$60 million a year. Almost all abaca produced in the country are exported, mainly to Europe, Japan and the USA. Exports from the Philippines are increasing in the form of pulp rather than raw fiber. Based on PhilFIDA IX, Zamboanga Peninsula, including the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, produced 529.66 MT of loose abaca fiber in 2013. As of the 3rd quarter of 2014, the region already produced 455 MT. Seaweed farmers, traders, processors and other key stakeholders in Region IX’s seaweed industry participated in a two-day Regional Industry Planning Workshop conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry before the end of 2014. The workshop aimed to strategize measures that will help Zamboanga Peninsula regain its position as second largest seaweed producer in the Philippines, next to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) started implementing the three-month ban on sardines fishing in East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay December 1, 2014, to give the said species time to spawn. The fishing ban aims to conserve sardines in the coast of Zamboanga Peninsula, particularly within the conservation area of approximately 22,260.36 square kilometers encompassing the western municipal/national waters of Zamboanga del Norte, the waters bordering the south and eastern waters of Zamboanga City and southern portion of Zamboanga Sibugay. The Zamboanga Peninsula has 454 commercial fishing vessels catching pelagic species, such as sardines, tuna and round scad. Sardines, which include herring, are one of the major fish species being caught in Philippine waters, next to tuna. Sardine varieties include tamban-tuloy, tuloy, tunsoy, and haul-haul, tamban-kasig, kasig, tamban-lapad, tabagak, laolao, tunsoy, iiryan, tamban-yapad, tulis, balantiyog, and hilos-hilos.
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