The Philippines’ domestic trade continued its growth with 4.09 million tons booked in the third quarter of 2016, or 21.4% higher than the 3.37 million tons recorded in the same period of 2015, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Similarly, the value of commodities that flowed within the country jumped, reaching P149.14 billion during the third quarter of 2016, which is a 65% acceleration from P90.40 billion in the same period of 2015. The continued increase since the first quarter of 2016 is a turnaround from the declines recorded in 2015.
Water remains the main means of transportation, accounting for 99.8% of the total commodities transported, while the remaining 0.2% were moved by air.
Machinery and transport equipment accounted for the biggest share during the period with P47.31 billion, or a 31.7% share. Food and live animals, which was the biggest contributor in the same period last year, ranked second with P36.53 billion, followed by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with P21.42 billion.
Among the regions, the National Capital Region (NCR) accounted for the highest share in value, posting P33.85 billion or 22.7%. Western Visayas ranked second with P31.70 billion, followed closely by Northern Mindanao with P18.19 billion. Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) contributed the least share in value of domestic trade, amounting to only P210.90 million or 0.1% of total.
During the third quarter of last year, Central Luzon posted the highest positive trade balance at P12.60 billion. Other regions recording billions of pesos in positive trade balance or more are Eastern Visayas (P10.67 billion), NCR (P9.21 billion), Northern Mindanao (P5.25 billion), Davao Region (P4.68 billion), Western Visayas (P2 billion), and SOCCSKSARGEN (P1.80 billion).
On the other hand, Central Visayas registered the highest negative trade balance of P19.49 billion. Other regions with a negative trade balance are Caraga (P13.02 billion), Calabarzon (P6.01 billion), Zamboanga Peninsula (P4.40 billion), Mimaropa (P2.11 billion), and Ilocos Region (P1.27 billion).
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