Legarda hails Antique as 4th fastest-growing economy, cites long-term progress from poverty

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed Antique’s ranking as the fourth fastest-growing economy among the country’s provinces and highly urbanized cities in 2025, saying the milestone reflects how far the province has come and provides stronger momentum to create more jobs, strengthen local industries, and improve the lives of Antiqueños.

In its Provincial Product Accounts released on August 28, 2026, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that Antique posted 8.55 percent year-on-year economic growth in 2025, ranking fourth among 82 provinces and 33 highly urbanized cities nationwide.

“Ang higit na mahalaga ay maramdaman ng bawat pamilyang Antiqueño ang pag-unlad sa kanilang araw-araw na buhay, sa mas maayos na kita at kabuhayan, magandang serbisyong pangkalusugan at edukasyon, at sa mas maraming pagkakataong umasenso nang hindi kailangang lumayo sa sariling bayan,” Legarda said.

The achievement is particularly significant for a province that was once counted among the poorest in the country. Antique ranked 14th among the poorest provinces in 1997 and 15th in 2003. In 2006, more than half, or 51.6 percent, of Antiqueño families were living below the poverty line. By 2023, poverty incidence among families had declined to 13.8 percent.

“Malayo na ang narating ng Antique. May panahon na higit sa kalahati ng mga pamilya sa ating probinsya ay nabubuhay sa kahirapan. Kaya ang makita natin ngayon na kabilang ang Antique sa pinakamabilis lumagong ekonomiya sa buong bansa ay patunay na kayang baguhin ang direksyon ng isang lalawigan kapag tuluy-tuloy ang trabaho at ang suporta ay nakakarating mismo sa mga komunidad,” Legarda said.*

Legarda has supported investments in livelihood, education and skills development, MSMEs, agriculture and fisheries, health services, science and technology, and culture-based industries as part of her long-standing development work in Antique.

The four-term Senator has helped mobilize government programs for the province, including DOLE’s TUPAD, Pangkabuhayan and Government Internship Program; CHED scholarships; DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program and other social assistance; DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology; DTI’s Shared Service Facilities; and assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, including fiberglass boats and fishing equipment through BFAR.

“Ang ating layunin ay bigyan ang ating mga kasimanwa ng kakayahang tumayo sa sariling paa, may trabaho, may kasanayan, may puhunan at kagamitan, at may pagkakataong mapalago ang sariling kabuhayan. Kapag lumalakas ang bawat pamilya at bawat komunidad, saka nagiging tunay at matatag ang paglago ng buong probinsya,” Legarda said.

Her initiatives have also supported the modernization of the University of Antique through facilities such as the Maritime Virtual and Augmented Reality Laboratory, DOST TechnoHub, Integrated Research and Development Laboratory, food processing centers in Tibiao and Hamtic, the UA Bamboo Center and craft and furniture facilities, and brick-making facilities. These investments intended to equip Antiqueño students, workers, researchers, and entrepreneurs with skills and technologies that can translate into local employment and enterprise.

Legarda has likewise pushed for better access to health services through assistance and improvements for the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital, Culasi District Hospital, and Justice Calixto O. Zaldivar Memorial Hospital, as well as the establishment of Libertad’s first polyclinic in seven decades.

She has championed enterprises built around what Antiqueños already know and do well, from agriculture and fisheries to food processing, bamboo, pottery, patadyong and nito weaving. Through Shared Service Facilities, Schools of Living Traditions, training, equipment, and platforms such as the National Arts and Crafts Fair, local producers and artisans have gained opportunities to improve their products, reach wider markets, and turn traditional skills into sustainable sources of income.

Legarda said Antique’s 2025 economic performance provides a strong base for sustaining these gains and bringing more opportunities to communities across the province.

“Ipinagmamalaki natin ang narating ng Antique, pero marami pa tayong kailangang gawin. Ang tunay na sukatan ng pag-unlad ay kung mas maraming Antiqueño ang may disenteng trabaho at sapat na kita, mas maraming kabataan ang may magandang edukasyon, mas madaling makakuha ng serbisyong pangkalusugan, at mas maraming pamilya ang may pagkakataong magkaroon ng mas magandang buhay. Iyan ang patuloy nating pagsisikapan katuwang ang ating mga kasimanwa,” Legarda concluded. (30)