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REGIONAL ECONOMIC SITUATIONER FOURTH QUARTER 2020

I. Macroeconomy

A. Prices, CPI, and Inflation Rate

MIMAROPA’s average inflation rate significantly increased to 3.7 percent in October to December 2020 from previous year’s 1.8 percent. This was also higher than the previous quarter’s 3.1 percent. All provinces registered higher inflation rates. registered the highest inflation rate with 7.1 percent. This was followed by Occidental and with 5.0 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively. recorded the lowest inflation rate with 2.6 percent (refer to Figure 1).

For three consecutive months, increases in monthly inflation rates were recorded: 2.5 percent in October; 3.3 percent in November; and 3.5 percent in December. These were higher than the inflation rates recorded in 2019 at 0.8 percent in October; 1.3 percent in November; and 2.5 percent in December. This may be attributed to the price increase of all commodity groups, particularly the 7.11 percent and 5.71 percent annual increment recorded in health and transport indices, respectively.

Figure 1. Inflation Rate by Quarter and Province, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020

8.0 6.8 7.1 7.0 6.0 5.0 5.0 3.7 3.7 4.0 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.7 3.0 2.2 2.4 1.8 1.8 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 MIMAROPA Marinduque Occidental Oriental Palawan Mindoro Mindoro

Q4 2019 Q3 2020 Q4 2020

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) MIMAROPA

All commodity groups registered upward price movements compared to previous year’s index levels, which contributed to the region’s 3.7 percent average inflation rate in October-December 2020 (refer to Table 1). Alcoholic beverages and tobacco’s index rose 15.67 percent in October-December 2020 compared to that of the previous year. It also recorded the highest CPI of 250.3. Increases in the indices of clothing and footwear at 5.50 percent and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 4.40 percent also contributed to the October- December 2020 inflation. On the other hand, communication registered the lowest CPI of 104.1.

Table 1. Consumer Price Index, Inflation Rate, and Purchasing Power of Peso, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Period Percent Change Item 2019 2020 (2020/2019) Q4 Q3 Q4 Average Consumer Price 123.8 126.2 128.4 3.74 Index (All Items) Food 127.9 128.0 130.7 2.19 Food and Non-Alcoholic 128.6 128.7 131.4 2.15 Beverages Alcoholic Beverages and 216.4 242.9 250.3 15.67 Tobacco Non- Food 115.9 119.5 121.1 4.46 Clothing and Footwear 116.4 121.3 122.8 5.50 Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and 117.4 121.1 122.5 4.40 Other Fuels Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine 117.3 120.9 122.1 4.09 Maintenance of the House Health 115.3 120.8 123.5 7.11 Transport 112.1 116.6 118.5 5.71 Communication 102.6 103.3 104.1 1.43 Recreation and Culture 115.1 115.4 116.1 0.93 Education 118.0 118.1 121.6 3.05 Restaurant and Miscellaneous Goods 118.8 122.0 123.7 4.12 and Services Average Inflation Rate 1.8 3.1 3.7 1.90 (percent) Average Purchasing Power 0.81 0.79 0.78 (3.70) of Peso Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) MIMAROPA

In terms of selected food items, food products (not elsewhere classified) recorded the highest increase in index at 11.4 percent in October-December 2020. This was followed by increase in indices of corn and with 10.0 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively. Price indices of all selected food items increased except with fish and seafood, where price index decreased by 1.3 percent.

The purchasing power of peso in the region decreased from last year’s 0.81 to 0.78.

B. Labor and Employment

Table 2. Labor and Employment Statistics, MIMAROPA, 2019 -2020 Percent October July October Change/ ITEM 2019 2020 2020 Difference (2020/2019) Population 15 years old & above 2,028 2,049 2,055 1.3 (in ‘000) LF Participation Rate (%) 58.8 64.2 62.0 3.2 Employment Rate (%) 96.3 94.3 92.1 -4.2 Unemployment Rate (%) 3.7 5.7 7.9 4.2 Underemployment Rate (%) 15.9 27.2 22.2 6.3 Source: PSA MIMAROPA

The region’s working age population increased by 1.3 percent from 2,028,000 in October 2019 to 2,055,000 in October 2020. Labor force participation rate increased by 3.2 percentage points from 58.8 percent in October 2019 to 62.0 percent in October 2020.

Employment rate decreased by 4.2 percentage points from 96.3 percent in October 2019 to 92.1 percent in October 2020. The region’s employment rate was higher by 0.8 percentage point compared to the national average employment rate of 91.3 percent.

The region’s unemployment rate of 7.9 percent was lower by 0.8 percentage point compared to the national average unemployment rate of 8.7 percent. This was, however, higher by 4.2 percentage points compared to October 2019’s 3.7 percent.

Underemployment rate increased by 6.3 percentage points from 15.9 percent in October 2019 to 22.2 percent in October 2020. This was also higher by 7.8 percentage points compared to the national average underemployment rate of 14.4 percent.

II. Agriculture and Fisheries

The total agriculture production declined by 9.20 percent, from 1,420,843.29 metric tons outputs during the fourth quarter of 2019 to 1,290,102.01 metric tons in the same quarter of 2020.

The crops subsector registered a 9.53 percent decrease in outputs during the quarter but remained to be the biggest contributor to the agriculture sector, with a 77.31 percent of the region’s total agriculture production. Notable decreases were recorded in the production of palay, banana, calamansi, and cassava.

The livestock and poultry subsectors recorded a 4.51 percent decrease in outputs, contributing 2.34 percent of the region’s total agricultural outputs during the quarter. Notable decreases were recorded in the production of cattle, duck, and duck eggs.

The fisheries subsector recorded a decrease in outputs by 8.45 percent. The subsector contributed 20.35 percent to the total agricultural production during the quarter.

A. Cereals

Palay posted double-digit decrease in production of 11.93 percent, from 659,346 metric tons during the fourth quarter of 2019 to 580,686 metric tons in 2020. and Oriental Mindoro were the highest contributors to the region’s palay production with a share of 33.76 percent and 33.18 percent, respectively. Only the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon recorded an increase in palay production of 27.42 percent and 2.24 percent, respectively.

Table 3. Palay production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 Province Change (MT) (MT) (2020/2019) Marinduque 4,146 5,283 27.42 Occ. Mindoro 261,661 196,048 (25.08) Or. Mindoro 199,153 192,655 (3.26)

Palawan 177,088 169,014 (4.56) Romblon 17,298 17,686 2.24 Total 659,346 580,686 (11.93) Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021

Corn production slightly increased by 0.18 percent, from 12,654 metric tons in 2019 to 12,677 metric tons in 2020. All provinces of MIMAROPA recorded decrease in corn production except for the province of Palawan which also contributed 47.98 percent of the region’s total corn production.

Table 4. Corn production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent Province 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 Change (MT) (MT) (2020/2019) Marinduque 227 152 (33.04) Occ. Mindoro 4,440 4,243 (4.44) Or. Mindoro 2,008 1,888 (5.96) Palawan 5,601 6,082 8.59 Romblon 378 312 (17.46) Total 12,654 12,677 0.18 Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021

B. Major Crops

Banana production dropped by 50.63 percent compared to the outputs during the same quarter last year. Saba remains the dominant variety of banana being produced in the region accounting 65.57 percent share of the total banana production. This was followed by Latundan and Lacatan with a share of 16.43 percent and 13.81 percent, respectively.

Calamansi production also dropped by 44.25 percent, from 669.84 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 1,201.45 metric tons in the same quarter of 2020.

Mango production went up by 2.57 percent, from 133.99 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 137.43 metric tons in the same period in 2020. This may be attributed to the increase in the production of carabao mango by 5.29 percent. Piko and Carabao were the dominant mango varieties produced in the region with 47.77 percent and 43.28 percent share, respectively.

Coconut production slightly decreased by 1.86 percent, from 383,098.70 metric tons in 2019 to 375,983.51 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2020. Moreover, the production of cassava in the region also decreased by 28.22 percent in the same period, from 5,028.49 metric tons in 2019 to 3,609.58 in 2020.

Abaca was the only major crop that recorded double -digit increase during the fourth quarter of 2020. It improved from 24.24 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 27.62 percent during the same period of 2020.

Cacao production in the region also increased by 8.13 percent during the period, from 60.48 metric tons in 2019 to 65.40 metric tons in 2020. On the other hand, production of onion in the region showed a slight improvement of 0.96 percent, from 6,383.82 metric tons in 2019 to 6,445.15 metric tons in 2020.

Table 5. Major crops production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 Major Crops Change (MT) (MT) (2020/2019) Banana 34,462.56 17,015.19 (50.63) Calamansi 1,201.45 669.84 (44.25) Mango 133.99 137.43 2.57 383,098.70 375,983.51 (1.86) Cassava 5,028.49 3,609.58 (28.22) Onion 6,383.82 6,445.15 0.96 Cacao 60.48 65.40 8.13 Abaca 24.24 27.62 13.94 Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021

C. Livestock and Poultry

The livestock subsector decreased its outputs during the fourth quarter of 2020. Carabao production decreased by 7.18 percent compared to its 627.00 metric tons output in 2019. Cattle production significantly decreased by 36.85 percent.

On the other hand, production of hogs and goats in the region recorded an increase of 2.47 percent and 19.68 percent, respectively , during the period.

Table 6. Livestock production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 Livestock Change (MT) (MT) (2020/2019) Carabao (live wt.) 627.00 582.00 (7.18) Cattle (live wt.) 4,765.00 3,009.00 (36.85) Hog (live wt.) 20,304.00 20,805.00 2.47 Goat (live wt.) 620.00 742.00 19.68 Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021

Production of poultry animals in the region decreased during the quarter except eggs. Chicken production decreased by 6.36 percent, from 3,192.00 metric tons in the last quarter of 2019 to 2,989.00 in the same quarter of 2020. Duck and duck eggs production declined by 19.40 percent and 37.84 percent, respectively.

Table 7. Poultry production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 Poultry Change (MT) (MT) (2020/2019) Chicken (live wt.) 3,192.00 2,989.00 (6.36) Chicken Eggs (live wt.) 1,747.00 1,810.00 3.61 Duck (live wt.) 201.00 162.00 (19.4) Duck Eggs (live wt.) 185.00 115.00 (37.84) Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021

D. Fisheries

Commercial Fisheries

Commercial fisheries declined by 6.79 percent. All the provinces of the region recorded decreases in the outputs except Occidental Mindoro which showed an increase in outputs by 1.24 percent. More than half or 70.68 percent of the total commercial fishery products were recorded from Palawan.

Table 8. Commercial fishery production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020

Percent 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 Province Change (MT) (MT) (2020/2019) Marinduque 62.87 20.02 (68.16) 1,327.22 1,343.66 1.24 Occ. Mindoro Or. Mindoro 410.50 374.86 (8.68) Palawan 4,731.84 4,359.34 (7.87) Romblon 84.50 69.77 (17.43) Total 6,616.93 6,167.65 (6.79) Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021 Municipal Marine/Inland Fisheries

Municipal fisheries production decreased by 9.89 percent during the fourth quarter of 2020. This may be attributed to the decrease in Palawan’s volume of fish outputs.

Municipal marine fishery decreased by 9.93 percent. All the provinces of the region suffered in terms of volume of municipal marine production except Occidental Mindoro, whose output increased by 23.14 percent. On the other hand, inland municipal production decreased by 8.03 percent, compared to its 2019 outputs. The provinces of Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon recorded increases in inland fishery production during the period .

Palawan was the highest share to the total municipal fishery production contributing 82.34 percent of the production during the period.

Table 9. Municipal fishery production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 % Change Province Marine Inland Marine Inland Inland Marine Marinduque 1,156.47 6.63 975.86 7.08 (15.62) 6.79 Occ. 1,514.58 37.91 1,865.06 36.11 23.14 (4.75) Mindoro Or. Mindoro 1,370.67 405.23 1,075.95 407.59 (21.50) 0.58 Palawan 26,509.41 116.10 23,984.55 68.49 (9.52) (41.01) Romblon 1,299.95 1.67 788.35 2.70 (39.36) 61.68 Total 31,851.08 567.54 28,689.77 521.97 (9.93) (8.03) Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021

Aquaculture

Aquaculture contributed 227,192.40 metric tons , or 86.53 percent of the total regional fish production during the period. It recorded a decrease in outputs by 8.31 percent, from 247,773.01 metric tons during the 4th quarter of 2019 to 227,192.40 metric tons during the same quarter of 2020. Palawan remains the biggest producer of aquaculture products harvesting 99.85 percent of the total aquaculture production of the region.

Table 10. Aquaculture fishery production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent 4Q 2019 4Q 2020 Province Change (MT) (MT) (2020/2019) Marinduque 147.22 49.72 (66.23) Occ. Mindoro 120.92 105.65 (12.62) Or. Mindoro 203.69 162.07 (20.44) Palawan 247,284.04 226,862.80 (8.26) Romblon 17.13 12.16 (29.02) Total 247,773.01 227,192.40 (8.31) Source: PSA MIMAROPA Note: Preliminary data as of February 15, 2021

III. Investments and Industry

A. Investments

Business Names Registration

Business names registration in the region recorded a double -digit decrease of 19 percent, from 1,932 business names registered in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 1,571 business names registered in the same period of 2020.

The province of Palawan recorded the highest num ber of business names registered, comprising 723 business names or 46.02 percent of the region’s total registration for the period. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon recorded 90 percent and 8.69 percent increase in busi ness names registration, respectively.

Table 11. Business names registration, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Region/ Province 4th Quarter 4th Quarter Percent 2019 2020 Change (2020/2019) MIMAROPA 1,932 1,571 (19.00) Marinduque 79 150 90.00 Occidental Mindoro 233 162 (30.00) Oriental Mindoro 468 286 (39.00) Palawan 922 723 (22.00) Romblon 230 250 8.69 Source: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) MIMAROPA

Amount of Investments

The recorded amount of investments in the region for the 4th quarter of 2020 increased by 20 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. The increase in the amount of investments in the region may be attributed to the increase in loans facilitated and increase in the number of willing investors in the region.

The province of Palawan recorded the highest amount of investment at ₱211,710,000.00, or 76.17 percent of the region’s total investments generated. Despite the pandemic, the province of Marinduque recorded a 2,420 percent increase in investments.

Table 12. Amount of Investments, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent 4th Quarter 4th Quarter Region/ Province Change 2019 (₱) 2020 (₱) (2020/2019) MIMAROPA 230,730,735.00 277,949,759.00 20 Marinduque 250,000.00 6,300,400.00 2,420 Occidental Mindoro - 7,295,000.00 N/A Oriental Mindoro 5,142,000.00 5,820,000.00 13 Palawan 180,228,300.00 211,710,000.00 17 Romblon 45,113,435.00 46,824,309.00 4 Source: DTI MIMAROPA

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Assisted

The total number of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) assisted in the region increased by three percent, from 1,862 MSMEs assisted in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 1,909 MSMEs in the same quarter of 2020.

Table 13. MSMEs assisted, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent 4th Quarter 4th Quarter Region/ Province Change 2019 2020 (2020/2019) MIMAROPA 1,862 1,909 3 Marinduque 113 151 34 Occidental Mindoro 215 182 (15) Oriental Mindoro 657 367 (44) Palawan 627 805 28 Romblon 250 404 62 Source: DTI MIMAROPA

The province of Palawan recorded the highest number of MSMEs assisted at 805 MSMEs or 42.17 percent of the total MSMEs assisted. The number of MSMEs assisted in the provinces of Romblon, Marinduque, and Palawan recorded an increase of 6 2 percent, 34 percent, and 28 percent, respectively, during the reference period.

DTI MIMAROPA continued to provide assistance to MSMEs through their various programs. MSMEs under the food sector were encouraged to enroll for laboratory and shelf analysis of their products as well as to register their products under the Food an d Drug Authority-License to Operate (FDA-LTO). MSMEs located in Calamianes Group of Islands in Palawan were also provided with technical assistance under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Generation Program.

DTI MIMAROPA also promoted various produ cts through online platform. The agency organized the MIMAROPA Naturally Virtual Trade Fair 2020. The trade fair was able to gather 47 MSMEs from the region and generated a total of ₱351,484 combined cash and booked sales. Series of webinars and online tra inings were also conducted to capacitate the MSMEs in the region.

B. Mining and Quarrying

The total value of mineral production in the region increased during the fourth quarter of 2020. Value of production for metallic minerals reached ₱4.25 billion while the value of non -metallic minerals produced was recorded at ₱174.61 million.

Table 14. Mineral Production, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 4th Quarter 2019 4th Quarter 2020 % Change Mineral Commodity Volume Value (₱) Volume Value (₱) Volume Value Metallic Minerals Direct 429,775.96 700,442,993.12 700,811.89 1,245,133,719.67 63 78 Shipping Ore (DMT) Mixed Sulfide (DMT) 6,970.00 2,952,994,000.00 6,736.00 3,007,755,000.00 (3) 2 Total 3,653,436,993.12 4,252,888,719.67 16 Non-Metallic Minerals Limestone (MT) 72,506.00 62,536,208.00 23,647.00 20,395,467.00 (67) (67) Milk of Lime (MT) 24,715.48 30,696,626.16 28,152.21 150,318,604.48 14 390 Hydrated Lime (MT) 4,455.62 2,976,354.16 5,418.83 2,097,758.09 22 (30) Sand and Gravel 165,921.00 28,113,294.75 7,055.00 1,801,190.00 (96) (94) (CUM) Total 124,322,483.07 174,613,019.57 40 Source: Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) MIMAROPA Region

The volume and value of the production of nickel direct shipping ore increased by 63 percent and 78 percent, respectively. Generally, mining operations in the region were not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The significant increase in the value of production was associated to the higher global market price of nickel due to the low global supply and high demand for nickel ore used in the production of stainless steel in .

The production of mixed sulfide decreased by three percent due to lower ore tonnage processed, low metal content of feed ore, and the preventive maintenance shutdown by Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC). However, the relative increase in cobalt prices in the global market resulted to a two percent increase in the commodity’s production value.

The volume and value of production for limestone fell by 67 percent during the quarter. The MGB MIMAROPA also noted incomplete data submissions from Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation, which affected the low production performance of limestone.

The volume of milk of lime and hydrated lime generated by the processing plant of Unichamp Mineral , Inc. , increased by 14 percent and 22 percent, respectively. The production of the two non - metallic minerals depends on the requirement of CBNC.

The recorded volume and value of sand and gravel production significantly decreased during the quarter. This may be associated to the non-submission of reports from the permit holders and operators in the provinces of Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon and the incomplete data provided by the operators from Palawan and Occidental Mindoro.

IV. Services

A. Transportation

1. Air Transportation

The air statistics data record shows the continuous effect of COVID-19 to air transportation for the fourth quarter of 2020. All of the recorded air statistics data decreased compared to previous year data.

Table 15. Airport statistics, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 4th Quarter 4th Quarter Percent Change 2019 2020 (2020/2019) Aircraft 7,697 1,010 (86.88) Passenger Traffic 723,454 24,583 (96.60) Air Cargoes 6,545,020 3,195,709 (51.17) Source: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

Aircraft movement during the fourth quarter of CY 2020 was recorded at 1,010. This was 86.88 percent lower than the recorded 7,697 aircraft movement for the same period of 2019.

Recorded passenger traffic during the fourth quarter of 2020 was recorded at 24,583. This was 96.60 percent lower than the recorded 723,454 passenger traffic in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Air cargoes data for the fourth quarter period of 2020 was recorded at 3,195,709. This was 51.17 percent lower than the previous year record of 6,545,020.

The , Romblon airport, and registered no flight during the fourth quarter of CY 2020.

The Busuanga Airport recorded air statistics data only for the month of December 2020, while the Puerto Princes a International Airport recorded 775 on aircraft traffic, 20,855 on passenger traffic, and 3,024,661 on air cargoes for domestic flight only for the fourth quarter of 2020, which is 81.43 percent, 95.84 percent, and 42.64 percent lower compared to the same period on 2019, respectively.

The decrease in air transportation statistics reflected the continuous effect of the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced movement of people air transport. New normal guidelines and protocols in public transportation are still being implemented throughout the country.

2. Water Transportation

Shipcalls decreased by 85.86 percent from 49,697 in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 7,028 vessels in the fourth quarter of 2020. The number of domestic shipcalls decreased by 85.94 percent, and foreign shipcalls decreased by 72.93 percent.

Total container port traffic increased by 15.02 percent, from 20,209.75 twenty-foot equivalent units (teu) in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 23,244.50 teu in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Total cargo volume discharged and loaded at the ports in the region increased by 17.46 percent from 2.217 million metric tons (mmt) in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 2.605 (mmt) in the fourth quarter of 2020. Total cargo volume for the fourth quarter of 2020 is comprised of 72.01 percent (1.868mmt) foreign cargoes and 27.99 percent (0.729 mmt) domestic cargos.

Total passenger traffic decreased by 84.64 percent from 2,472,588 passengers in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 379,896 passengers in the fourth quarter of 2020. Meanwhile, the RORO traffic decreased by 37.25 percent from 245,707 vehicles in fourth quarter of 2019 to 154,191 vehicles in fourth quarter of 2020.

Due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in since March 16, 2020, water transportation operations were still affected negatively especially on the number of shipcalls and passenger traffic. No cruise ship docked in MIMAROPA ports in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to the world implemented travel restrictions to curb the COVID-19 spread.

Table 16. Water transport statistics, MIMAROPA, 2019 -2020 Particulars 2019 2020 Percent Change (2020/2019) Shipcalls 49,697 7,028 -85.86 Domestic 49,383 6,943 -85.94 Foreign 314 85 -72.93 Container Port Traffic 20,209.75 23,244.5 (TEU’s) 15.02 Domestic 20,209.75 23,244.5 15.02 Foreign 0 0 Cargo Throughput (mt) 2,217,868.012 2,605,060.99 17.46 Domestic 1,183,231.90 729,096.55 -38.38 Foreign 1,034,636.116 1,868,584.30 80.60 Passenger Traffic 2,472,588 379,896 -84.64 Disembarked 1,281,552 200,574 -84.35 Embarked 1,184,165 179,322 -84.86 Cruise Ships 6,871 0 -100 RORO Traffic 245,707 154,191 -37.25 Inbound 125,238 77,696 -37.96 Outbound 120,469 76,495 -36.50 Source: Philippine Ports Authority

3. Land Transportation

The number of motor vehicles registered in MIMAROPA increased by 26.66 percent from 40,839 motor vehicles in October -December 2019 to 51,726 motor vehicles in October-December 2020 (refer to Table 18). This was lower than the 60,178 motor vehicles registered in July - September 2020.

Of the 51,726 registered motor vehicles, 30.46 percent or 15,757 motor vehicles are newly registered, while the remaining 35,969 motor vehicles are registered for renewa ls.

Table 17. Motor vehicles registration, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent Region/Province 2019 2020 Change (2020/2019) Q4 Q3 Q4 MIMAROPA 40,839 60,178 51,726 26.66 New 14,344 15,200 15,757 9.85 Registrations Renewals: Marinduque 2,458 919 5,387 119.16 Occidental 3,482 7,281 4,168 19.70 Mindoro Oriental 12,862 22,170 16,434 27.77 Mindoro Palawan 6,518 12,046 8,695 33.40 Romblon 1,175 2,562 1,285 9.36 Source: Land Transportation Office (LTO) MIMAROPA

Among the MIMAROPA provinces, Oriental Mindoro recorded the highest number of registered motor vehicles with 16,434 motor vehicles. This was followed by Palawan with 8,695 registered motor vehicles, Marinduque with 5,387 registered motor vehicles, and Occidenta l Mindoro with 4,168 registered motor vehicles. Romblon recorded the lowest number of registered motor vehicles with 1,285 motor vehicles.

B.

The travel restrictions and community quarantine measures due to COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the number of tourist arrivals in the region. Recorded data on tourism showed that tourist arrivals in the region decreased by 94.55 percent compared to the same quarter of 2019. However, the recorded tourist arrivals was higher than the arrivals recorded in the region during the third quarter of 2020.

The opening of major tourist destinations such as in Oriental Mindoro, and El Nido and Coron in Palawan resulted to 28,652 domestic tourists in the region. No foreign tourists were recorded for the fourth quarter of 2020.

With the gradual opening of the economy, the tourism industry of the region is expected to bounce back in 2021 from the n egative impact of the pandemic.

Table 18. Tourist arrivals, MIMAROPA, 2019-2020 Percent Region/Province 2019 2020 Change (2020/2019) Total Tourist Arrival 526,103 28,652 (94.55) Domestic Percent Region/Province 2019 2020 Change (2020/2019) MIMAROPA 335,045 28,652 (91.45) Marinduque 7,747 590 (92.38) Occidental Mindoro 28,422 24,518 (13.74) Oriental Mindoro 44,592 872 (98.04) Palawan 252,345 2,672 (98.94) Romblon 1,939 0 N/A Foreign MIMAROPA 191,058 0 N/A Marinduque 154 0 N/A Occidental Mindoro 894 0 N/A Oriental Mindoro 4,520 0 N/A Palawan 184,803 0 N/A Romblon 687 0 N/A Source: DOT MIMAROPA Note: Partial data as of February 11, 2021

C. Foreign Trade 1. Exports

The export revenues significantly improved by 25.56 percent, from US$ 57.75 million in October to November of 2019 to US$ 73.09 million in the same period of 2020. The aggregate volume of the region’s exported products also increased by 120.32 percent during the reference period.

Table 19. Export earnings in MIMAROPA, October to No vember, 2019-2020 Value of Export (US$) Volume of Export (kg) Month 2019 2020 2019 2020 October 32,409,000.00 26,452,791.00 349,143,000.00 476,543,840.00 November 25,344,491.00 46,637,800.00 172,813,000.00 673,412,500.00 Total 57,753,491.00 73,090,591.00 521,956,000.00 1,149,956,340.00 Source: PSA MIMAROPA

Ores comprised about 50.89 percent of the region’s total exported goods. Other export commodities include condensates crude petroleum oils and coconut milk which all originated from Palawan.

China emerged as top export destination during the period. This was followed by South Korea and Thailand.

2. Imports

The value of imports in the region for the months of October to November 2020 recorded a 33.47 percent drop, from US$13.87 million during the same period in 2019 to US$9.23 million in 2020. The decrease in imports may be attributed to the decrease in the import of industrial machinery and transport equipment commodity group.

The volume of the region’s import slightly decrease d by 4.19 percent, from 103.75 million kilograms in October to November 2019 to 99.40 million kilograms in the same period of 2020.

Table 20. Value and volume of imports, MIMAROPA, 2019 -2020 Value of Import (US$) Volume of Import (kg) Month 2019 2020 2019 2020 October 8,566,025.00 5,628,965.00 56,399,947.00 65,100,553.00 November 5,307,299.00 3,594,005.00 47,348,780.00 34,298,648.00 Total 13,873,324.00 9,229,970.00 103,748,727.00 99,399,201.00 Source: PSA MIMAROPA

Japan was the country’s biggest supplier of imported goods in terms of volume with 46.19 percent share to the region’s total imports for the months of October and November. On the other hand, Vietnam recorded the biggest contribution to the value of imported goods with US$1,364,975.00. This was followed by Japan with US$1,325,602.00. Other major import trading partners of the region were , Indonesia, Korea, China and Australia.

Among the region’s imported goods, cement accounted for the largest share, with US$1,364,975.00, or 14.80 percent. This was followed by coal, with US$1,001,284.00, or 10.86 percent, and sulphuric acid with US$834,941.00, or 9.05 percent.

The region posted a foreign trade surplus of US$63.86 million from October to November. There were no available data on exports and imports for the month of December.

V. Peace and order

The total crime volume in MIMAROPA decreased by 11.19 percent from previous year’s 1,385 incidents to 1,230 incidents in October to December 2020 (refer to Table 21).

Table 21. Crime Statistics, MIMAROPA, 2018-2019 2019 2020 Percent Change/ Indicators Q4 Q3 Q4 Difference (2019/2020) Crime Volume 1,385 1,040 1,230 (11.19) Crimes Cleared 1,101 997 851 (22.71) Crimes Solved 851 703 1,184 39.13 Average Monthly Crime 4.04 10.74 13.00 8.96 Rate Source: Philippine National Police-MIMAROPA

Crimes cleared decreased by 22.71 percent from 1,101 crimes cleared from October to December 2019 to 851 crimes cleared during the same period in 2020. On the other hand, crimes solved increased by 39.13 percent.

The region’s average monthly crime rate in October to December 2020 increased by 8.96 percentage points from last year’s 4.04 percent to 13.00 percent.

VI. Natural Disasters and other Calamities

Typhoons

In October, tropical depression Ofel brought moderate to heavy rains in the region and made its 4 th landfall in the municipality of Torrijos in Marinduque.

A total of 158 families consist of 665 individuals were affected in eight barangays in the region, which was immediately relocated in designated evacuation centers.

Power supply in the province of Marinduque was temporarily shut down on October 14, which was immediately restored later the same day. Some road networks in Marinduque were also blocked temporarily and only became passable to all types of vehicles on October 16.

An estimated amount of ₱1,687,563.00 worth of damages to was recorded in the province of Oriental Mindoro. No damage to infrastructure was recorded.

Also in October, Quinta (internationally named Molave) brought moderate to heavy rains with at times intense rai ns in the region. Typhoon Quinta made its 4th and 5th landfalls in the region in the municipality of Torrijos in Marinduque and municipality of Pola in Oriental Mindoro.

A total of 63,798 families consist of 273,378 individuals was affected, 7,483 families or 28,174 individuals immediately took shelter in 463 evacuation centers.

Ten individuals were reported dead: four in Occidental Mindoro; two in Marinduque; two in Palawan; one in Oriental Mindoro; and one in Romblon. Four individuals were reported injured in the region: three in Oriental Mindoro; and one in Marinduque. Four missing persons in Occidental Mindoro were also reported.

A total of 6,040 totally damaged houses and 59,286 partially damaged houses were recorded in the region.

Damages to infrastructure, particularly on roads and bridges, government infrastructure, schools, and hospitals with an estimated amount of ₱1,878,163,912.04 worth of damages, were incurred in the region.

Damages to agriculture, particularly on fisheries, fishing vesse ls, crops, and livestock with an estimated amount of ₱4,939,564,300.42 worth of damages, were incurred in the region.

Due to significant damages caused by typhoon Quinta, the entire provinces of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon were placed under state of calamity along with some of their respective municipalities with separate declarations.

In November, supertyphoon Rolly (internationally named Goni) brought moderate rains with at times heavy rain in the region. It was recorded as the strongest storm in the world in 2020. It made a total of four landfalls in the Philippines, none of which was recorded in the region.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) number 4 was raised in the province of Marinduque and in the northern po rtion of the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. The province of Romblon and the rest of Mindoro provinces were under TCWS No. 3. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 was also raised in the northern part of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.

A total of 31,267 families, consisting 117,206 individuals, were affected; 26,404 families or 99,674 individuals immediately took shelter in 991 evacuation centers.

No death, injured, and missing person was recorded in the region. One COVID-19 patient was evacuated in the municipality of Buenavista in the province of Marinduque.

A total of 114 totally damaged houses and 2,659 partially damaged houses were recorded in the region.

Damages to infrastructure, particularly on roads and bridges, government infrastructure, schools, and hospitals with an estimated amount of ₱401,623,350.15 worth of damages, were incurred in the region.

Damages to agriculture, particularly on fisheries, fishing vessels, crops, and livestocks with an estimated amount of ₱71,283,034.13 worth of damages, were incurred in the region.

Tropical storm Tonyo (internationally name Etau) brought moderate rains with at times heavy rain in the region.

Flooding incident was reported in the municipality of Boac in Marinduque in November 07, which immediately subsided.

Also in November, Typhoon Ulysses (internationally named Vamco) brought light to moderate rains with at times heavy rain in the region.

A total of 6,640 families, consisting 23,237 individuals, were affected; 6,370 families or 22,264 individuals immediately took shelter in 296 evacuation centers.

No death, injured, and missing person was recorded in the region. One COVID-19 patient was evacuated in the municipality of Boac in the province of Marinduque.

Ten totally damaged houses and 28 partially damaged houses were recorded in the province of Marinduque.

Damages to infrastructure, particularly on roads and bridges, government infrastructure, schools, and hospitals with an estimated amount of ₱71,929,000.00 worth of damages, were incurred in the region.

Damages to agriculture, particularly on fisheries, fishing vessels, crops, and livestocks with an estimated amount of ₱16,879,437.00 worth of damages, were incurred in the region.

On November 18, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Proclamation No. 1051 declaring a state of calamity in the entire Luzon Island Group due to onslaught of Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses.

In December, Tropical Storm Vicky (internationally named Krovanh) brought moderate to heavy rains in the province of Palawan. Vicky made one of its two landfalls in City, Palawan.

Weather condition

In October to November, the region experienced above normal amount of rainfall, while near normal to above normal amount o f rainfall was experienced in December.

Moderate La Niña persisted across the tropical Pacific Ocean and was most likely to continue until the first quarter of 2021 with a potential transition to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) -neutral condition during second quarter of 2021.

The region will experience below normal to near normal amount of rainfall in January to February. However, the region will likely receive an above normal amount of rainfall in March.