The economic growth in Dinagat Islands in 2024 is considered the fastest among the five provinces in the Caraga Region, a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-13) showed on Monday.

Last year, the island province logged a 9.6 percent economic growth compared to the 5.2 percent recorded in 2023, according to PSA-13 statistics.

In the same period, the province’s gross domestic product reached PHP13.84 billion, the data added.

Trailing Dinagat is Butuan City with an 8.7 percent growth, followed by Surigao del Norte (7.3 percent), Agusan del Norte (6.48 percent), Surigao del Sur (6.46 percent), and Agusan del Sur (5.0 percent).

“This achievement is a reflection of the collective strength, resilience and determination of the people of Dinagat Islands,” Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. said in a statement on Monday.

He added that local businesses and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the province have created more opportunities and attracted investments in communities, which have fueled economic growth in the region.

“Our farmers and fisherfolk also worked tirelessly in sustaining our food supply and nurturing our natural resources that nourished both our people and our prosperity,” Demerey said.

The same PSA-13 data detailed that Dinagat also led in economic performance growth in agriculture, forestry, and fishery last year with 13.1 percent, followed by Surigao del Sur with 6.7 percent, Agusan del Sur (2.4 percent), Agusan del Norte (1.6 percent), Butuan City (0.5 percent), and Surigao del Norte (-1.1 percent).

The island-province’s industrial growth rate likewise soared to 11.7 percent in 2024, followed by Butuan City with 8.0 percent, Agusan del Norte with 6.8 percent, Surigao del Sur with 5.9 percent, Surigao del Norte with 5.8 percent, and Agusan del Sur with 3.9 percent.

Dinagat Islands ranked fourth among the fastest-growing economies in the country last year. (PNA)