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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider Philippine ocean economy grows to ₱1.08 trillion in 2025

Philippine ocean economy grows to ₱1.08 trillion in 2025

Published Jul 23, 2026 02:39 pm
‎FISHING boats at the port of Concepcion, a town in northern Iloilo province. (Tara Yap)
‎FISHING boats at the port of Concepcion, a town in northern Iloilo province. (Tara Yap)

The country’s ocean economy grew to ₱1.08 trillion in 2025 from ₱1.02 trillion in 2024, despite a decline in the share of ocean-based activities in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday, July 23, that the ocean economy expanded by 5.3 percent year-on-year and accounted for 3.8 percent of GDP at current prices last year.

Despite the expansion in gross value added (GVA), the ocean economy’s contribution to GDP has continued to decline, slipping from the revised four percent in 2023 and 3.9 percent in 2024.

Among ocean-based activities, marine safety, surveillance, and resource management posted the fastest growth at 31.7 percent, followed by marine insurance at 29.6 percent and sea-based transportation and storage at 10.8 percent.

In terms of contribution to the ocean economy, ocean fishing accounted for the largest share at 24.1 percent, followed by the manufacture of ocean-based products at 21.3 percent, sea-based transportation and storage at 16.3 percent, and coastal accommodation and food and beverage service activities at 12.1 percent.

The PSA also reported that 2.46 million persons were employed in ocean-based activities in 2025, up 3.4 percent from 2.38 million in 2024. Ocean-based jobs accounted for five percent of the country’s total employment.

Ocean fishing accounted for the largest share of total ocean-based employment at 37.8 percent, followed by sea-based transportation and storage at 23.6 percent and coastal accommodation and food and beverage service activities at 21.7 percent.

To recall, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) earlier this week organized a blue economy interagency roundtable dialogue (RTD) to discuss key components of a unified national framework for sustainable ocean-based development with government agencies and other stakeholders.

The framework centers on key legal and policy foundations, including the archipelagic doctrine, national marine policy, the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, the Fisheries Code, and the Clean Water Act.

The initiative supports the proposed Blue Economy Act, which is included in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028’s legislative agenda.

A blue economy refers to the sustainable use and management of ocean and coastal resources to promote economic growth, improve livelihoods, and protect marine ecosystems. The Philippines adopted its blue economy framework in 2012. - Danielle T. Bayani

Related Tags

blue economy Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) ocean economy
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