Iloilo City has always been traditionally considered one of the major centers of economic activity in the Philippines. In terms of structure, the economy is dominated by the whole/retail trade sector, accounting for over 50% of business establishments followed by social and personal services (23.9%), financing insurance, real estate and business services (11.1%), and manufacturing (6.0%) The transportation, communications and storage, construction, agriculture/fishery/forestry/mining and quarrying and electricity, gas and water each accounts for less than 2% of business establishments in the city.
1. Wholesale/Retail Trade
There are about 5,925 wholesale and retail trading establsihments in Iloilo City in 1997. Since 1995, 807 new businesses were established in the city, mostly micro and cottage industries. The highest net growth of businesses occured in the City Proper followed by the districts of Jaro, Molo, Mandurriao, Arevalo and La Paz which registered an insignificant growth during the period.
2. Industrial and Manufacturing Sector
There were 1,846 industrial establishments in 1997. Of these establishments, five were engaged in agricultural processing; 187 in industrial activity; 703 in the services sector; 928 involved in trading; and 16 on other activities. As earlier indicated, the industrial sector is dominated by micro enterprises (73.8%) of the sector, followed by cottage industries (23.3%).
3. Agricultural Activity
Due to the increasing urbanization of the city, productive agricultural activities have steadily declined. The major crop produced, however, remained palay with an average production of about 2.9 tons/ha. Most of the productive ricedfields are rainfed (about 540 ha.) and produce only one crop per year. The average rice yiled per hectare is about 3.5 tons/ha. in the irrigated lands. Annual yields in non-irrigated area averaged about 65% of the yield from irrigated riceland. During dry season, some limited cultivation of vegetables and fruits occurs in these non-irrigated lands. Currently, some 450 ha. of irrigated land exist in the Jaro District.
4. Aquaculture
Approximately 634 ha. of the agricultural land within Iloilo City are utilized as brackish water fishponds for the production of milkfish. Prawn farming was also done in recent past years, however, pollution of the rivers in the city made it difficult to properly and effectively change wastewater from the ponds which adversely affected production. The average size aquaculture holding is about 7.9 has. and production of milkfish is about 634 tons/year, or about 1 ton/ha.
5. Other Agricultural Activities
Livestock and poultry raising does not indicate significant production, except for small backyard raisers. There are no large commercial operations in the city.
HOMEPAGE