MIMAROPA Region posts continued growth in number of establishments and total employment in 2023
    
In 2023, the MIMAROPA Region recorded a total of 27,043 operating establishments. This reflects sustained growth in both the number of establishments and overall employment in recent years. The number of establishments increased from 23,285 in 2021 to 24,382 in 2022, and further to 27,043 in 2023, corresponding to growth rates of 4.7 percent in 2022 and 10.9 percent in 2023. (Figure 1 and Table A)

Employment figures exhibited a similar pattern of consistent growth. Total employment rose from 109,327 in 2021 to 114,079 in 2022, and further increased to 124,175 in 2023. These figures represent growth rates of 4.3 percent in 2022 and 8.9 percent in 2023. (Figure 1 and Table A)
 

Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles had the most number of establishments and total employment

A total of 14,302 establishments were engaged in Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles. This comprises 52.9 percent of the total establishments in the region. Accommodation and Food Service Activities followed, accounting for 13.9 percent or 3,746 establishments. Manufacturing ranked third, comprising 12.2 percent or 3,287 establishments of the total.  Meanwhile, Mining and Quarrying had the fewest establishments, with only 26 recorded in 2023, representing 0.1 percent of the total. (Figure 2, Table B)
 

In terms of employment, the Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles sector employed the highest number of individuals at 50,812. This accounts to 40.9 percent of the region’s total employment from establishments in operation during 2023.  Accommodation and Food Service Activities ranked second with 17,888 employees (14.4%), and Manufacturing ranked third with 11,159 employees (9.0%). Conversely, Real Estate Activities recorded the lowest employment, with only 862 individuals employed in the sector. (Figure 3 and Table B)
 

Oriental Mindoro still the hub of the MIMAROPA Region’s business and industry

Among all provinces and highly urbanized city in the region, Oriental Mindoro maintained its position as the center of business and industry in the MIMAROPA Region. This province accounts for 11,011 establishments or 40.7 percent of the regional total in 2023. This was followed by Occidental Mindoro with a total of 4,607 establishments in operation (17.0%). Meanwhile, Palawan and the City of Puerto Princesa recorded 2,832 (10.5%) and 1,856 (6.9%) establishments in operation, respectively. (Figure 4 and Table A)
 

In terms of employment generated from these establishments in operation, Oriental Mindoro also led the region with 46,677 employed individuals. This corresponds to 37.6 percent of the total employment of establishments in the region. Palawan ranked second with 19,388 employees or 15.6 percent of the regional total employment. Establishments in operation in the lone highly urbanized City of Puerto Princesa generated a total of 18,508 employees (14.9%). Meanwhile, Marinduque recorded the lowest number of employees from operating establishments at 10,287 or 8.3 percent of the regional total employment. (Figure 5 and Table A)
 

Micro Enterprises dominate both in numbers and workforce

Of the 27,043 establishments in the MIMAROPA Region, 25,117 establishments or 92.9 percent fell under the micro category (1 to 9 employees). Moreover, Small establishments (10 to 99 employees) account for 1,852 establishments (6.9%), while 44 establishments (0.2%) were classified under medium category (100 to 199 employees). Meanwhile, a total of 30 establishments (0.1%) were categorized under large category (200 or more employees). (Figure 6 and Table C)
 

Furthermore, 55.6 percent of the total employment across establishments in the MIMAROPA Region or 68,990 employees were working in micro enterprises. In addition, small enterprises provided jobs for 39,242 individuals (31.6%), and large enterprises accounted for 10,173 workers (8.2%). Meanwhile, medium enterprises employed 5,770 people (4.7%). (Figure 7 and Table C)
 

Business closures in affected 4,248 establishments leads to 11,941 job losses

In 2023, a total of 4,248 establishments in the MIMAROPA Region are either permanently closed or temporarily stopped in operation. Of these, 3,687 establishments or 86.8 percent were permanently closed. The breakdown of closures by year shows that 1,366 establishments were closed in 2021, 1,831 establishments closed in 2022, and 456 establishments closed in 2023.  (Figure 8 and Table D)

Regarding employment, 11,941 job losses were associated with establishments that had permanently closed or temporarily stopped operations. Of these, 9,960 or 83.4 percent were lost in permanently closed establishments. The breakdown of employment losses by year shows that 3,772 jobs were lost in establishments that closed in 2021, 4,889 jobs were lost in 2022, and 1,230 jobs were lost in 2023. (Figure 8 and Table D)

Female outnumber male in terms of leadership in establishments

In terms of sex of person holding the highest position in the establishments, women held the top position in 52.2 percent of the total establishments in operation in the MIMAROPA Region. This exceeded the proportion of male leaders by 4.5 percentage points at 47.7 percent. Meanwhile, the sex of 0.1 percent of position holders was not reported. (Figure 9 and Table E)
 

(SDG) LENI R. RIOFLORIDO
Regional Director

MLLM / RRL / RMCB