The economy of this summer capital continues to benefit from the recovery of the tourism sector, as the city’s gross domestic product rose by 11.3 percent in 2022 from year-ago’s 10 percent expansion.

Aldrin Bahit, chief statistical specialist of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), in a briefing Monday, said the city’s output last year already surpassed the 4 percent growth in 2019.

“All industries of Baguio City grew in 2022 and the fastest growths were recorded in transportation and storage with 63.6 percent; accommodation and food services, 50.6 percent; and other services at 47.1 percent that include performances, operation of museum sites, sports, gambling, recreation activities, personal grooming, beauty parlor services, laundry and funeral-related activities,” he said.

Baguio accounts for 45.9 percent of the region’s annual output.

On the other hand, Benguet province registered a slower growth of 5.1 percent in 2022 from year-ago’s 6.1 percent due to the impact of calamities and lingering effects of the pandemic.

Bahit said the province’s share in the regional output is around 23.3 percent.

Imelda Buyuccan, chief statistical specialist of the Benguet provincial statistics office, said main drivers of the province’s GDP remain to be the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors.

Susana Padio, Benguet provincial planning and development officer, said the province suffered a lot from calamities.

She said around 70 percent of the population is engaged in farming, and more has to be done to help the industry that is constantly affected by calamities as well as the effects of climate change.

“Despite the problems, Benguet will have a positive GDP, although slow-paced,” she said, attributing her optimism to government interventions like technical support, marketing aid, and loans. (PNA)