MANILA, Philippines — All provinces in the Philippines recorded economic growth in 2023, with Batanes and Camiguin posting the highest expansion rates, based on the latest Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) data.

In a report released on Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Batanes registered a 14.5 percent growth rate, followed by Camiguin at 11 percent. 

These two provinces were the only ones to record double-digit growth last year, according to Deptuy National Statistician Divina Gracia Del Prado 

Other provinces that posted high growth rates included Aklan (9.5 percent), Nueva Vizcaya (8.7 percent), Ilocos Norte (8.6 percent), Ilocos Sur (8.5 percent), Eastern Samar (8.1 percent), Guimaras (7.9 percent), Catanduanes (7.6 percent), and Romblon (7.3 percent). 

These provinces recorded growth rates higher than the national GDP growth of 5.5 percent, she said. 

At the same time, the statistics bureau said Laguna became the first province to exceed the trillion-peso GDP mark, reaching P1.03 trillion in 2023. 

Del Prado said the province accounted for 4.9 percent of the national GDP, followed by Cavite (3.7 percent), Batangas (3.1 percent), Bulacan (3.0 percent), Pampanga (2.7 percent), Cebu (2.0 percent), Pangasinan (1.8 percent), Rizal (1.7 percent), Nueva Ecija (1.5 percent), and Bataan (1.3 percent). 

These 10 provinces collectively made up 25.6 percent of the national GDP, she said.

The statistician likewise noted that the total GDP of all provinces was estimated at P11.80 trillion, representing 56.1 percent of the national economy.

In terms of economic composition, 68 out of 82 provinces were primarily driven by the services sector. 

Meanwhile, nine provinces were industry-led, and five had agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) as their main economic driver.