GUIMARAS – This province’s economy recorded a 3.9 percent growth in 2024, slower than the 8.2 percent growth posted in the previous year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated at P18.15 billion in 2024 – making Guimaras the fifth fastest-growing province in Western Visayas.
Although slower than the 8.2% growth recorded in 2023, the PSA noted that the 2024 performance still reflects a positive and resilient economy, showing steady expansion from P17.46 billion in 2023 to P18.15 billion in 2024.
Among the province’s major industries, the Services sector contributed the largest share to economic growth at 3.4 percentage points, followed by Industry with 0.5 percentage points. The Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) sector slightly contracted, pulling down growth by 0.02 percentage points.
The key industries that fueled growth include Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles, Accommodation and Food Service Activities, and Human Health and Social Work Activities.
Additionally, the fastest-growing industries in Guimaras in 2024 were the following:
* Human Health and Social Work Activities – 14.9%
* Professional and Business Services – 13.5%
* Financial and Insurance Activities – 11.4%
Within Western Visayas, Guimaras accounted for 2.8% of the region’s total GDP in 2024.
Concurrent Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Leonard Pasiderio, EnP, said the island province’s sustained growth reflects its strong local governance and commitment to data-driven planning.
“The 2024 economic performance of the province, although there is a slow growth rate but considering that it is still an upward trend, we know that we are still in the right direction. This is definitely brought by our sustained good governance here in the province, especially our local government units. And we were conferred for two consecutive years of the Seal of Good Local Governance in 2023 and 2024. Our good planning and budgeting processes help us identify programs and projects that will contribute to a constant upward trend in terms of economic growth,” Pasiderio said.
For her part, Vice Gov. Cecile Gumarin expressed optimism and emphasized the importance of accurate data in shaping development priorities.
“Rest assured that the province and the municipalities, through the municipal mayors, are doing their best to come up with much higher data for 2025. This data will surely be used for the policy and development-making of the province of Guimaras, especially giving more emphasis on the agriculture sector,” Gumarin said./PN
