THE GROWTH CENTER STRATEGY TO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE PHILIPPINE PLANNING EXPERIENCE.

摘要

The purpose of this study is to examine the results of the continued application of the growth center theory as a model for the functional integration of national and regional economies in the Philippines.; Secondary sources of data were collected from data sets produced by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and Central Bank (CB).; An analysis of the status of the Philippine economy is carried out with particular reference to national and regional growth profile, tertiarization, and externalization of national and regional economies. Sectoral analysis, regional employment analysis, foreign trade profile, and regional trade statistics are used to provide a descriptive analysis of the Philippine economy after over a decade of experience under the growth center doctrine.; The significant findings of this research include the following: (1) From 1973 to 1984, Philippine economic growth has been tapering off, from an average annual rate of 7 percent in 1973-1976, to below 1 percent in 1981-1984. (2) After over a decade of growth center experience, regional share to national output has remained inequitable and unbalanced. (3) The three identified growth areas make for an interesting combination: Metro Manila is basically industrial and service-oriented, Southern Mindanao is basically agricultural, and Central Visayas is basically service-oriented. (4) An observable trend of concentration of economic resources toward the service sector. From 1973-1984 this sector has been the largest component of national output. (5) The drift toward the service sector of the national economy cannot be separated from the phenomenon of external dependence. From 1974 to 1984, the balance of trade has consistently been negative.; Finally, the study shows that after a decade of growth center experience, the Philippine economy has not attained growth and equity nor has it functionally integrated peripheral regions to designated growth centers. It is suggested that the functional and unequal approach of the growth center doctrine to development can no longer be upheld in the Philippines. Regional planning in the Philippines should pursue both territorial and decentralized forms of regional planning. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)