Central Luzon Regional Development Report 2011

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CENTRAL LUZON
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT
2011
Central Luzon Regional Development Council 2/F Hyatt Garden Building, Dolores City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Central Luzon Regional Development Report 2011
FOREWORD
The Regional Development Report is intended to measure the progress of attainment of goals and objectives relative to the Regional Development Plan. The year 2011 marks the first year of implementation of the Central Luzon Regional Development Plan 2011-2016 and therefore is significant in monitoring government performance under the current administration. The preparation of this years Regional Development Report is a collaborative effort of various regional line agencies identified as main stakeholders towards the realization of the Plan. The report is divided into five chapters: Chapter I - High Sustained and Inclusive Growth, Chapter II Globally Competitive, Progressive, and Resilient Citizenry, Chapter III - World-Class Passenger Mobility and Cargo Distribution Network, Chapter IV - Sustainable Land-Using Activities, and Chapter V - Socially Responsible Property Rights. The information on the indicators identified under each chapter were provided by the corresponding regional line agencies and were then integrated by the secretariat upon crafting of the report. The agency reports also provided for the substantive explanation of the results and values for each indicator. Although the 2011 Regional Development Report is an attempt to measure the level of accomplishment of plan targets, it would be worth noting that the previously identified indicators may not necessarily be sufficient to characterize or capture the existing situation at that particular period. Therefore, as there will be a regular review and updating of the Central Luzon Regional Development Plan, the Regional Development Report shall also be reviewed and formulated according to such manner.
SEVERINO C. SANTOS Regional Director NEDA Regional Office 3
MESSAGE
Monitoring is an equally important and crucial part of the planning cycle. It provides for an effective avenue for checking accomplishments relative to the targets thereby setting the rationale for the review and updating of the existing plan. The 2011 Regional Development Report serves as a scorecard of the regions performance on the multisectoral objectives as embodied in the Central Luzon Regional Development Plan 2011-2016. Its preparation is a combined effort of the different National Government Agencies being part of the Regional Development Council. With a clear and efficient monitoring system in place, everyones effort in the regional development scene can be effectively accounted and areas for improvement and recommendations for better implementation can as well be identified. Through the continued support and cooperation of the various stakeholders, an atmosphere of shared development vision shall make Central Luzon closer to achieving inclusive growth.
OSCAR S. RODRIGUEZ RDC 3 Chairman Mayor, City of San Fernando
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword Message List of Tables List of Figures Abbreviations and Acronyms Executive Summary I. High Sustained and Inclusive Growth A. High GRDP per capita B. High Employment and Family Income Level C. Make food cheap and plentiful D. Improve the profitability and sustainability of MSMEs E. Increase rural farming and fisher folk family incomes F. Upgrade tourism establishments G. Develop Clark-Subic regional tourism hub II. Globally Competitive, Progressive, and Resilient Citizenry A. Minimize natural disaster casualties and economic losses B. Improve basic education achievement rates C. Improve access to health services D. Support the development of world-oriented higher education institutions E. High employable technical and vocational skills III. World-Class passenger mobility and cargo distribution network A. Improve land transport access from the urban core to the east and west coasts B. Increase the level of service of strategic roads and north-south arterial links C. Integrate the three modes of transportation (land, air, and sea) IV. Sustainable Land-Using Activities A. Ensure that mining operations are environment-friendly V. Socially-Responsible Property Rights A. Security over property rights 25 25 25 26 26 23 i ii iv v vi vii 1 1 1 2 5 6 10 10 11 11 12 14 17 20 21 22
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List of Tables
Table 1. Household Population 15 years old and over by employment status: Central Luzon 2009-2011 (in thousands) Production, area harvested, and yield per hectare of palay by province, 2010-2011 Production, area harvested, and yield per hectare of corn by province, 2010-2011 Production, area harvested, and yield per hectare of yellow and white corn in Central Luzon, 2010-2011 Production of high value commercial crops in Central Luzon, 2010-2011 Production of plantation crops in Central Luzon, 2009-2010 Livestock and poultry production in Central Luzon, 2010-2011 Fishery production in Central Luzon, 2010-2011 Percentage of LGUs with full compliance to the BPLS Streamlining Project Visitor Arrivals, Central Luzon, 2007-2011 Regional Achievement Test Results, SY 2009-2010 and SY 2010-2011 Regional Achievement Test Results for Fourth Year Students, SY 20092010 and SY 2011-2012 2011 Prevalence of Severely Underweight and Underweight Preschoolers in Central Luzon Summary of enrollees and graduates for SUCs and Private HEIs in Central Luzon, SY 2010-2012 Table 15. Average Percent Passing in Licensure Exams: Central Luzon, 2008-2010 Accomplishment on Enrolled, Graduated, Assessed, Certified and Employed (EGACE), Central Luzon Inventory of existing national roads, as of June 2012 Regional summary of length and type of national roads and bridges, as of June 2012 2
Table 2.
Table 3.
Table 4.
Table 5. Table 6. Table 7. Table 8. Table 9.
4 4 5 5 6
Table 10. Table 11. Table 12.
10 13 14
Table 13.
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Table 14.
17
Table 15.
18
Table 16.
20
Table 17. Table 18.
21 22
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List of Figures
Figure 1. Figure 2. Performance Indicators in Government Elementary Schools Performance Indicators in Government Secondary Schools 13 14
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

AMAS ARB BAS BDRRMC BHW BLES BPLS CARP CHED CPX DA DENR DEPED DOT DPWH DTI EGACE EP EPEP GRDP HDPE ICS IEC INCDP ISAGP LDRRMC LDRRMO LGU LMS MGB MOET MPS MRFC MSME NBS NDRRMC NNC OPT PAL PCIC RAT REDAS RTESDP SCADC SMAW NC II TESDA TVET TVI Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Bureau of Agricultural Statistics Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Barangay Health Worker Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics Business Permits and Licensing System Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Commission on Higher Education Communication Exercise Department of Agriculture Department of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Education Department of Tourism Department of Public Works and Highways Department of Trade and Industry Enrolled, Graduated, Assessed, Certified and Employed Exploration Permit Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program Gross Regional Domestic Product High Density Polyethylene Incident Command System Information and Education Campaign Integrated Non-Communicable Disease Program Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Local Government Unit Land Management Service Mines and Geosciences Bureau Minus One Element Technique Mean Percentage Score Mines Rehab Fund Committee Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Newborn Screening National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council National Nutrition Council Operation Timbang Private Agricultural Lands Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation Regional Achievement Test Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment Regional Technical Educations and Skills Development Plan Subic Clark Alliance Development Council Shielded Metal Arc Welding National Certificate II Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Technical and Vocational Education and Training Technical Vocational Institutions vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In general, the various sectoral programs and projects identified and included in the Central Luzon Regional Development Plan 2011-2016 are geared towards the attainment of sustained inclusive growth. The 2011 Central Luzon Regional Development Report likewise integrates the different development indicators to measure the level of accomplishment of the plans first year of implementation. The 2011 Central Luzon Regional Development Report is composed of five chapters: (i) High Sustained and Inclusive Growth, (ii) Globally Competitive, Progressive, and Resilient Citizenry, (iii) World-Class Passenger Mobility and Cargo Distribution Network, (iv) Sustainable LandUsing Activities, and (v) Socially Responsible Property Rights. Chapter I High Sustained and Inclusive Growth presents several economic indicators that aims to ensure equal growth for all and a sustained significant regional contribution to the national economy. In 2011, Central Luzons economy slowed down to a 7.5 percent growth rate from a 10.7 percent growth in 2010. This is due to the decelerated growth rate of the industry sector which accounts for 42.5 percent of the regions economy. Meanwhile, a 5.49 percent increase in GRDP per capita was recorded for the region, ranking it fourth among other regions in the country. Employment rate in the region exhibited an increasing trend from 2009 levels. In 2010, employment rate was recorded at 91.2 percent while in 2011 it was recorded at 91.5 percent. The recovery of the global economy from the recent economic recession is expected to contribute in sustaining the positive increases. In 2011, the MSMEs which are an important part of the local economy has generated an additional 106,103 jobs while contributing 1,128.7 million in total sales, $ 42 million in export sales and 9,774 million in investments. Also in the same year, agricultural production has suffered major setbacks due to typhoons that caused flooding in most parts of Central Luzon. Palay production for the year dropped by 11.57 percent while corn production decreased by 4.75 percent. The same can be observed in the fishery sector which has suffered a decrease of 3.37 percent in production. Meanwhile, the production of high value commercial crops and livestock and poultry recorded an increase of 4.54 and 2.89 percent respectively. Tourism which is targeted to be one of the key contributors in the regional economy exhibited a good performance, more specifically it enjoyed a 189 percent increase in tourist arrivals from the 2010 levels. This was due to a more precise accounting of visitors from accommodation establishments. Of the about 1.7 million visitor arrivals, 1.5 million or about 91 percent are domestic visitors. Some of the efforts of the different agencies of the government to revitalize the tourism industry in Central Luzon included the expansion of operations of the Clark International Airport and prioritization of infrastructure support projects for full implementation in the next five years such vii
as roads leading to identified tourist destinations in each of the seven provinces. Furthermore, the Clark-Subic hub was identified as one of the featured tourism clusters in the recently crafted National Tourism Development Plan. Chapter II Globally Competitive, Progressive, and Resilient Citizenry characterizes the future population as those having world-class technical skills responsive to local and global labor demands. It also aims to capacitate the stakeholders against possible events of natural disasters brought about by climate change. The major strategies employed to strengthen community resilience to disasters involved massive information dissemination campaigns and capacity development programs. In particular, Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (LDRRMCs) in the region were oriented on the salient features of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as An Act Strengthening The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction And Management System, Providing For The National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Framework And Institutionalizing The National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Plan. In 2011, 20 summits were conducted to this effect and as a result, 61 LDRRMCs and 20 Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (BDRRMCs) were organized. To equip local policy and decision-makers of the technical know-how in disaster management, capacity building on the use of Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment (REDAS) through Phivolcs was also conducted in Olongapo City. In addition, at the regional level, technical assistance is extended to the seven provinces in the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in land use planning. On the education sector, the primary measure of quality of services is the results of the Regional Achievement Test (RAT) in the elementary and secondary levels. For SY 2010-2011, results of the RAT for the elementary division showed that among the five learning areas, English and Science and Health recorded a decrease from the previous school year by 0.23 and 0.91 percent respectively. All the other learning areas recorded an increase with Makabayan having the highest of 4.25 percent. On the other hand, results of the RAT for the fourth year students revealed a declining trend from the previous three years. Improving access to health services is also one of the developmental strategies of Central Luzon. In terms of maternal and newborn health, family planning still remains to be the main approach. For 2011, contraceptives and other family planning commodities were distributed to two (2) provinces, five (5) cities, and 37 municipalities in the region. This was accompanied by Family Planning Competency-based Trainings. Moreover, Barangay Health Workers were also made to undergo Newborn Screening Orientations. Meanwhile, under the Garantisadong Pambata Strategy of Universal Vitamin A supplementation, a 92.65 percent coverage in 2011 was recorded for Central Luzon. In addition, advocacies on improved nutrition practices such as breastfeeding and complementary feeding were implemented in both public and private hospitals. Moreover, the average prevalence of underweight preschoolers across the region was 4.18 percent with the Province of Aurora having the highest prevalence of 11.25 percent. viii
Control and treatment of leading communicable diseases including malaria and tuberculosis has also been implemented. In 2011, a 70 percent reduction in malaria morbidity rate, and a 58 percent and 75 percent case detection rate and cure rate respectively for tuberculosis was recorded for Central Luzon. For non-communicable diseases which include lifestyle related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes, frontline health workers were given training on the Integrated Non-Communicable Disease Program (INCDP). Job mismatch has been a lingering employment challenge not only in Central Luzon but for the whole country. Consequently, capitalization on skills development has been another strategy for increasing employability of graduates. In 2011, an increase of 144 percent from 2010 levels has been achieved in terms of enrollees from the four training delivery modes conducted by the TESDA 3: school-based, center-based, community-based and enterprise-based programs. These account for 154,213 enrollees for the current year. Meanwhile, certification rate for the region remained high at 84 percent. Chapter III World Class Passenger Mobility and Cargo Distribution Network. The accomplishments in 2011 are geared towards the realization of the plan and strategy of the infrastructure sector of the Regional Development Plan. The region continuously builds up strategies to be resilient amidst the appalling effect of calamities in infrastructures to sustain development and inclusive growth. The Public-Private-Partnership still stand out as the principal means to attain the goals of the Region. Chapter IV Sustainable Land-Using Activities aims to ensure sustainable mining operations in the region. Regular monitoring and auditing of approved mining contracts/permits including areas within mineral reservations as to compliance to the implementation of approved Work Program and Safety, Health, Environment and Social Programs is conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. In 2011, a total of 40 Work Programs and 18 Safety, Health, Environment and Social Programs were monitored. In addition, 35 complaints/cases/conflicts were investigated and resolved. On the other hand, in the issuance of mining rights/contracts/permits, a total of five (5) permits ranging from Exploration Permit (EP), Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit (ISAGP), and Mineral Processing Permit were issued by the MGB. In ensuring environmental protection two (2) Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) were endorsed to the Mines Rehab Fund Committee (MRFC) and at the same time, two (2) Social Development Management Programs (SDMP) were approved. Chapter V Socially Responsible Property Rights primarily aims to increase tenurial security for the marginalized sector of the society including farmers and indigenous peoples. For the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the working scope for Central Luzon which is registered at 450,904 hectares until 2014 has been trimmed down to only about 16,803 hectares or 3.7 percent of the total working scope for the next three years since the region had already parceled and handed out 434,101 hectares to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries
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(ARBs) as of December 31, 2011. Large portions of the remaining working scope are located in the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija North, and Tarlac. Meanwhile, under the DENR-Land Management Service (LMS), a total of 1,043 patents have been accomplished on the Patent Processing and Issuances. The patent issuances under RA 10023 (Residential Free Patent Law) totaled to 3,993 representing 60 percent of the annual target. The relatively low accomplishment is due to some factors such as difficulty in securing zoning certification.
I. High Sustained and Inclusive Growth

A. High GRDP per capita Central Luzons economy slowed down from a 10.7 percent growth rate in 2010 to 7.5 percent in 2011. This can be attributed to the decelerated growth of the Industry Sector which accounts for 42.5 percent of the regions economy and can be further explained by the notable decrease in export and domestic sales and investments. In 2011, the region suffered from a 32.08 percent decrease in export sales amounting to US$ 20.015 million while a 46.94 percent decrease in domestic sales amounting to 998.5 million was recorded. Likewise, a 23.09 percent decrease in investments corresponding to 2,934.07 million was also observed. Per capita GRDP at 2000 constant prices increased from 50,563.00 in 2010 to 53,339 in 2011 or an increase of 5.49 percent. B. High Employment and Family Income Level The employment rate of the region in 2009 is at 90.8 percent and is targeted to increase by 2.0-3.0 percent for the next six years. The regions employment rate in 2011 reflected a 0.7 percent increase from 2009 levels, almost a quarter from the high level target of 3.0 in 2016. In 2011, the estimated household population aged 15 years old and over in Central Luzon is 6.828 million, an increase of about 0.146 million or 2.18 percent from 2010 levels (see Table 1). Labor force participation rate in 2011 is 61.3 percent and exhibited a steady increase for the last three years. Of the 4,188 million persons in the labor force, 91.5 percent were employed corresponding to a three percent increase from the previous year. This can be partly due to the employment creation program embodied in the Economic Resiliency Plan of the government in 2009. Meanwhile, underemployment rate remarkably increased to 11.1 percent from the previous years rate of 9.1 percent indicating the quality of jobs generated by the economy. Unemployment rate in the region is still higher than the national average but however remained on a decreasing trend and is placed at 8.5 percent in 2011, a slight decrease of 0.3 percent from the previous year. Furthermore, the number of unemployed persons in Central Luzon also decreased steadily from about 363,952 persons in 2009 to about 355,980 persons in 2011.
Table 1. Household Population 15 years old and over by employment status: Central Luzon 2009-2011 (in thousands) Indicator 2009 2010 2011 HH population 15 years old and over 6,531 6,682 6,828 Labor Force 3,956 4,047 4,188 Employed 3,592 3,716 3,831 Underemployed 281 339 425 Unemployed 364 358 358 Labor Force Participation Rate (%) 60.6 61.0 61.3 Employment Rate (%) 90.8 91.2 91.5 Underemployment Rate (%) 7.8 9.1 11.1 Unemployment Rate (%) 9.2 8.8 8.5
Source: Current Labor Statistics, BLES
C. Make food cheap and plentiful In 2011, the regions agricultural sector was greatly affected by several weather disturbances such as typhoons Pedring and Quiel which ravaged large portions of agricultural lands in the lowland plains of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Tarlac. Consequently, palay production of the region significantly decreased alongside corn and fishery production. Meanwhile, high value commercial crops and livestock and poultry production slightly increased over 2010 levels. Crop Production Palay Central Luzon is known as the rice granary of the Philippines. However, palay production like other agricultural commodities is dependent on the prevailing climate and weather condition. Due to the typhoons that razed the region this year, the volume of palay produced dropped by 11.57 percent as compared over last year, from 2,958,415 mt to 2,616,083 mt. On the other hand, area harvested also decreased by 9.53 percent from 681,901 hectares in 2010 to 616,887 in 2011. Consequently, the average yields per hectare for rice also dropped from 4.34 mt/ha to 4.24 mt/ha or a reduction of 0.10 percent (see Table 2). Table 2. Production, area harvested, and yield per hectare of palay by province, 2010-2011.
Production (mt) 2010 2011 2,958,415 2,616,083 84,994 85,433 131,610 123,511 298,376 227,607 1,374,173 1,313,487 393,328 310,456 562,180 450,757 Area harvested (ha) 2010 2011 681,901 616,887 23,252 22,885 31,604 31,117 79,161 60,219 299,844 286,821 84,746 68,826 133,424 116,734 Yield per hectare (mt/ha) 2010 2011 4.34 4.24 3.66 3.73 4.16 3.10 3.77 3.78 4.58 4.58 4.64 4.51 4.21 3.86 Increase/ Decrease (0.10) 0.07 (1.60) 0.01 0.00 (0.13) (0.35) 2
Central Luzon Aurora Bataan Bulacan Nueva Ecija Pampanga Tarlac
Zambales
113,754
104,832
29,870
30,285
3.81
3.46
(0.35)
Source: Basic data from BAS
Nueva Ecija, the rice bowl of Central Luzon registered the highest production of palay in the region with 1,313,487 mt or 50 percent of the regions total production while Aurora only shared 85,433 mt or three percent. At the same time, the former was the highest yielder of palay per hectare with 4.58 mt/ha. For the value of production for 2010 at constant prices, the region shared 20 percent or 26,418.69 million to the countrys total value of palay produced which is the highest among all other regions. In terms of production, the region contributed 15.68 percent to national output, a notable decrease from the 2010 contribution of 18.76 percent. Corn In 2011, the volume of corn produced decreased by 4.75 percent, from 197,890 mt to 188,494 mt. This is due to shifting of corn farmers to rice, sugarcane and other cash crops and to the typhoons that visited the region during the 3rd and 4th quarter. One of the provinces that was hard hit was Aurora. Although production decreased, yield per hectare for corn slightly increased by 0.25 percent (see Table 3.) and this can be attributed to the intensified utilization of BT corn hybrid variety. The Province of Tarlac maintained its position as the biggest producer of corn with 100,888 mt production or 53.52 percent of the total corn produced in the region. On the other hand, Zambales contributed the smallest production of 625 mt or a share of 0.33 percent of the regions total production. Farmers in Zambales concentrated on mango production and are hesitant to plant corn. Table 3. Production, area harvested, and yield per hectare of corn by province, 2010-2011.
Production (mt) 2010 2011 197,890 188,494 18,395 13,386 9,361 8,814 2,532 2,267 15,103 15,135 49,447 47,478 102,666 100,888 386 526 Area harvested (ha) 2010 2011 42,977 38,836 3,983 3,003 1,934 1,837 919 938 6,064 5,987 11,212 10,442 18,720 16,467 145 162 Yield per hectare (mt/ha) 2010 2011 4.60 4.85 4.62 4.46 4.84 4.80 2.76 2.42 2.49 2.53 4.41 4.55 5.48 6.13 2.66 3.25 Increase/ Decrease 0.25 (0.16) (0.04) (0.34) 0.04 0.14 0.64 0.58
Central Luzon Aurora Bataan Bulacan Nueva Ecija Pampanga Tarlac Zambales
The region reached an average yield per hectare of 5.78 mt/ha for yellow corn and 2.15 mt/ha for white corn. Furthermore, there was a decrease in yield of 7,769 mt or 4.44 percent for yellow corn and 1,627 mt or 7.09 percent for white corn as compared over last year (see Table 4).
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Table 4. Production, area harvested, and yield per hectare of yellow and white corn in Central Luzon, 2010-2011 2010 2011 % Change Production (mt) Yellow Corn 174,942 167,173 (4.44) White Corn 22,948 21,321 (7.09) Area Harvested (ha) Yellow Corn 32,304 28,926 (10.46) White Corn 10,673 9,910 (7.15) Yield per hectare (mt/ha) Yellow Corn 5.42 5.78 6.64 White Corn 2.15 2.15 0.00
High Value Commercial Crops High Value Commercial Crops production excluding plantation crops totaled 518,029.08 mt. An increase of 4.54% or 22,513.70 mt. was achieved despite the the calamities that greatly affected the region (see Table 5). Table 5. Production of high value commercial crops in Central Luzon, 2010-2011. Commodity Production (MT) % Change 2009 2010 Vegetables 115,863.33 117,184.94 1.14 Legumes 39,225.71 39,238.28 0.03 Rootcrops 38,991.25 38,862.61 (0.33) Fruits 227,246.79 246,402.56 8.43 Spices 74,188.30 76,340.69 2.90 Total 495,515.38 518,029.08 4.54
Source: DA III
Production of plantation crops on the other hand, declined as the production of sugarcane decreased by 18.69 percent or 193,221.31 mt. Table 6. Production of plantation crops in Central Luzon, 2009-2010. Plantation Crops Production (MT) % Change 2009 2010 Abaca 99.50 109.00 9.55 Coconut (with husk) 199,730.08 210,442.31 5.36 Coffee (dried 3,411.32 3,536.52 3.67 berries) Sugarcane 1,034,084.30 840,862.99 (18.69) Tobacco 202.15 195.06 (3.51) Total 1,237,527.35 1,055,145.88 (14.74)
Source: DA III
Livestock and Poultry For the livestock and poultry sector, production grew by 2.89 percent from 3,744.77 thousand metric tons in 2010 to 3,853.08 in 2011. Dairy and chicken production had the highest increase with 4.77 and 4.52 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, carabao and goat production had exhibited decrease from 2010 levels by 0.34 and 0.32 percent. Table 7. Livestock and poultry production in Central Luzon, 2010-2011. Production (thousand mt) Percent Change (%) 2010 2011 1. Carabao 148.02 147.52 (0.34) 2. Cattle 251.3 256.26 1.97 3. Hog 1,898.16 1,940.35 2.22 4. Goat 78.45 78.2 (0.32) 5. Dairy 15.71 16.46 4.77 6. Chicken 1,353.13 1,414.29 4.52 TOTAL 3,744.77 3,853.08 2.89
Source: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
Fishery In 2011, aquaculture accounts for 82 percent of fisheries production in the region. However, due to the typhoons that hit during the year, aquaculture production decreased by 3.37 percent from 219,783.65 MT in 2010 to 212,370.90 in 2011. On the other hand, commercial and municipal fisheries production increased by 4.92 and 3.67 percent respectively. Table 8. Fishery production in Central Luzon, 2010-2011. Production (mt) 2010 2011 Commercial Fisheries 4,335.78 4,548.99 Municipal Fisheries 40,559.61 42,047.05 Aquaculture 219,783.65 212,370.87 TOTAL 264,679.04 258,966.91
Source: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
% Change 4.92 3.67 (3.37) (2.16)
D. Improve the profitability and sustainability of MSMEs The profitability and sustainability of MSMEs in the region were improved through improvements in the business environment and increases in productivity. Business environment was improved by simplifying the requirements for Business Name Registration process which resulted to a more shortened processing time from 60 minutes in 2010 to a maximum of 20 minutes in 2011. Consequently, there was a 2.62 percent increase in the registration of new MSMEs. In 2011, a total of 33,945 new MSMEs were registered compared to 33,079 in 2010.
Continuous efforts on streamlining the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) were also carried out in the region. As of the end of 2011, 67 percent of the LGUs in the region have complied with the four standard reforms in the BPLS Streamlining Project, the most number of implementers in the country. The Province of Tarlac has the highest percentage of compliance among its constituent LGUs with 94.44 percent while the Province of Bulacan has the lowest with 4.17 percent (see Table 9). Table 9. Percentage of LGUs with full compliance to the BPLS Streamlining Project. Standard Total Standard LGUs with Processing Signatories**** No. Unified Steps** Province Complete Time*** of Form* Compliance LGUs New Renewal New Renewal New Renewal Aurora 8 5 8 8 8 8 8 8 5 Bataan 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 Bulacan 24 1 21 22 24 23 17 17 1 Nueva 32 27 26 26 31 31 29 29 25 Ecija Pampanga 22 16 21 21 21 21 21 21 16 Tarlac 18 18 18 18 18 17 18 18 17 Zambales 14 13 13 13 12 12 13 13 12 TOTAL 130 91 119 120 126 124 118 118 87
Source: DTI III
% of Compliance 62.50 91.67 4.17 78.13 72.73 94.44 85.71 66.92
The region through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was also able to assist 4,257 MSMEs on services ranging from registration of their business name to conduct of capability building seminars such as Managerial, Entrepreneurship, Quality and Productivity, Values and Skills Training Programs, Product Development, Market Promotion through Trade Fairs, Pasalubong Centers and Market Matching, Financing Facilitation and Business Consultancy. In 2011, total sales generated by the DTI-assisted MSMEs totaled 1,128.7 Million while export sales reached $ 42 Million and investments at 9,774 Million. Furthermore, an additional 106,103 new jobs were generated. E. Increase rural farming and fisher folk family incomes Technical, financial, and market support programs were extended by the Department of Agriculture to improve agricultural productivity of the region and in the process enhancing income of farmers. Production Support Services As the Department of Agriculture temporarily suspended the seed subsidy program, the region had implemented the Palay Crop Insurance activity which provides a comprehensive form of assistance to farmers in collaboration with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and LGUs. In 2011,
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4,321,462.27 was expensed for the insurance of 6,370.08 hectares of palay benefiting 7,311 farmers. In the distribution of Biological Control Agents, 2,700 bags and 200 sachets of metarhizium which covered 1,370 hectares and 40,722 sachets of trichoderma which covered 2,777.40 hectares of rice land were distributed. To aid in determining the fertilizer needs of rice areas, 120 Minus-One Element Technique (MOET) were distributed and 3,828 Leaf Color Charts were given to different municipalities in Central Luzon. In addition to this, 57 fertility guide maps were produced, 55 of which are municipal level maps while 2 are provincial level maps. The region has also successfully distributed 396 units of on-farm machinery and equipment to the qualified recipients. A total of 130 units of rice drum seeder, 142 units of hand tractor, 9 units of four-wheel mini tractor, 21 units of rice thresher, and 14 units of combine harvester were dispensed. Another area with which production support services were extended is on cassava. Cassava is considered as one of the staple food crops in the country. It also has an increasing demand as food, as feed ingredients, and as a promising feedstock for the production of bio-ethanol. Consequently, the Department of Agriculture implemented the Cassava Project under the Corn Program to strengthen the support services for the commercial production of root crops in the country. In support to the project, the region distributed 3,607 seed pieces of planting materials with a disbursed budget of 2.5 Million. Under the Biological Control Program, 200,000 trichogramma cards were given in the whole region while 250,000 earwigs were produced and handed out to corn farmers. Six (6) units of farm tractors were also allocated for selected provinces in the region to address the Farm Mechanization Program of the Department. On the High Value Crops Development Program, a total of 690 kilograms of assorted seeds were distributed in the whole region. These included onion seeds, malunggay cuttings, seedlings of various fruit trees, coffee seedlings, and suckers of banana. In support of production, 230 units of farm equipment and machineries were also distributed. These included sprayers, hand-tractors, multitilling machines, and mango dehydrators. A total of 53 heads of draft animals and 127 farm implements such as plows and harrows were also distributed. Lastly, 193 units of pH meter were also allotted to selected beneficiaries. In the Livestock Program, 31 heads of breeder sheeps were maintained producing 25 heads of lambs. A pasture land covering 1.5 hectares was also developed. Moreover, a total of 106 heads of breeder animals (cattle, goat and sheep) and 72 heads of poultry were maintained in livestock production centers.
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From calves, 16 kids, 60 lambs, and 3,890 chicks were produced and distributed to 55 farmers/raisers. Through the artificial insemination program, 1,047 calves, 1,399 caracalves and 55 kids were produced. In addition, 7,031 piglets were produced benefitting 5,333 farmers and raisers. Infrastructure Development In support to agricultural production through improved infrastructure, 29 farm-tomarket roads were upgraded/rehabilitated amounting to 105,264,000.00 with a total length of 66.07 kilometers. Based on constructed length, 86.41 percent or 57.09 kilometers were located in the Province of Nueva Ecija. Irrigation Development Services High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) hose and plastic drums are designed to be used for irrigation of vegetable production areas. Likewise, Small Farm Reservoir and Spring Development were also constructed for the same purpose. In 2011, the region awarded 600 rolls or 60,000 meters of HDPE hose and 688 plastic drums to the seven provinces that benefited 144 farmer cooperatives and associations. Postharvest Development Services Infrastructure and postharvest facilities are believed to give long-term and greater contribution and impact to the national goal of attaining rice self-sufficiency. In 2011, a total of 176 postharvest facilities were distributed in the whole region. In summary, 108 units or 61 percent are multi-purpose drying pavements, 57 units or 32 percent are flatbed dryers, seven (7) units or 4 percent are moisture meters while three (3) units or 2 percent are warehouses and one (1) unit is a ricemill. Under the High Value Crops Development Program, nine (9) units of processing equipment including vegetable and fruit juicers and three (3) postharvest equipment were distributed in the region. Six (6) household level processing facilities including vegetable noodle machine, chipping machine, and fruit dehydrator were awarded to Cooperatives and RICs in Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and one (1) unit village level processing plant was given to the municipality of Dingalan, Aurora. Lastly, nine (9) units of hanger storage for onion were constructed in the Province of Nueva Ecija Marketing and Development Services Market matching and investment forums/seminars were conducted to improve profitability of agricultural production. In 2011, five (5) market matching for corn, fruits and vegetables were accomplished and attended by 156 farmers in selected municipalities of Aurora, Bulacan, and Pampanga. On the other hand, three (3) investment for a were organized in Iba, Zambales, City of San
Fernando, Pampanga, and Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. This activity was attended by 400 government employees and private individuals. A market research study for squash in three (3) municipalities of Nueva Ecija was administered in collaboration with the DA-AMAS. Extension Support, Education and Training Services Technology demonstration is one of the long-standing activities in the rice program. This served as the way of disseminating information on new packages of technologies on agricultural productivity. In 2011, 85 Integrated Techno-demo sites were established while 922 AEWs (hybrid-inbred techno-demo) sites were launched. Still under the rice program, 85 batches of Farmers Field School were conducted in the region. A total of 2,485 farmers participated. Two (2) batches of training of trainors were also conducted. This aims to train rice farmers to act as facilititators/trainors on new packages of rice farming technologies. A total of 61 farmers from different provinces benefited from the training. Meanwhile, under the Corn Program, 50 Farmers Field School and five (5) Entrepreneurial Trainings were conducted in the region. Through this, corn farmers learned new packages of technologies in corn production while their wives can also help in income generation through production of handicrafts from corn husks. Rehabilitation Program Several typhoons hit the region this year. Consequently, the department immediately executed a rehabilitation program to restore agricultural activity and region productivity on damaged areas. Under the rehabilitation program, the region has distributed a total of 220,804 bags of seeds (hybrid and certified seeds) worth 368,797,380 which benefited a total of 138,836 rice farmers. In addition, 580 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds, 1,428 papaya seedlings, and 8,929 assorted seedlings of fruit bearing trees were distributed. Research and Development Services In 2011, the terminal report on the research study on Farmers Participatory Evaluation of Corn Production was submitted to the Bureau of Agricultural Research. The study determined that the best fertilizer treatment application of 120-40-50 (NPK) per hectare was recommended to be used by corn farmers in the provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac. Furthermore, the study resulted to an average yield of 10 tons/ha obtained through actual farming condition or controlled condition.
Under the Cassava Project, 4,000 cuttings of cassava were produced through tissue culture and adoption of two-node technology. These were given out to farmer beneficiaries. Trial of 13 cassava varieties were also planted in the lahar areas of Sta. Barbara, and Bacolor, Pampanga. Based on the study, five (5) varieties including Rayong 5, Lakan 1, CV 34, CV 29, and CV 40 were recommended for cassava farmers in Pampanga. These varieties were proven to be edible and gave yields of 30-40 tons/ha. F. Upgrade tourism establishments The tourism industry is fast becoming a major contributor to Central Luzons economic development. Specifically, the presence of the Clark International Airport in Pampanga and the planned expansion of its operations are expected to bring in more international and domestic visitor arrivals. In 2011, a total of 360,388 air passengers arrived in the Clark International Airport. Among the airlines that generated visitor traffic include Cebu Pacific, SeAir, Tiger Airways, and Air Asia. In 2011, a notable increase of about 189 percent in visitor arrivals was recorded for the region. This translates to an increase of more than one million visitors over the previous year. The remarkable increase in statistics generated was due to a more precise accounting of visitors through surveys generated from accommodation establishments. Of the about 1.7 million visitor arrivals, 1.5 million or about 91 percent are domestic visitors (see Table 10). Table 10. Visitor Arrivals, Central Luzon, 2007-2011 Year Domestic Foreign 2007 282,438 137,199 2008 365,463 165,339 2009 399,224 151,228 2010 447,599 145,767 2011 1,557,746 159,581
Source: DOT III
Total 419,637 530,802 550,452 593,366 1,717,327
Promotion of Central Luzon as a tourist destination was spearheaded by the DOT through representation and participation to international events such as the Honolulu Festival in February and the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. Other activities initiated by the regional office for tourism promotion included the conduct of the 1st Central Luzon Health and Wellness Expo in October, and Isang Lahi, Isang Musika Concert in June. G. Develop Clark-Subic Regional Tourism Hub The development of the Clark-Subic Regional Tourism Hub was initiated by the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC). The charter of the SCADC provides for the collaboration between Clark and Subic in matters of investment, promotion and marketing including infrastructure development with the end in view of transforming the two freeport zones into a major tourist destination and investment
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hub. The creation of the Special Committee on Tourism under the Regional Development Council of Central Luzon in 2011 paved the way for the formulation of a tourism roadmap for both Clark and Subic. The roadmap was prepared in cooperation with a host of government agencies and private stakeholders in the travel community. As a result, Clark-Subic hub became a featured cluster in the DOT-crafted National Tourism Development Plan where a host of tourism road infrastructure projects were identified and proposed to the DOT-DPWH Convergence Team for full implementation within the next five years. The road projects identified will form part of the work program of DPWH in 2013 and are meant to provide road links/connectivity between national roads and the tourism service centers and/or gateways (airports and seaports). The following are the list of projects included in the program: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Widening of the West Circumferential Road, Angeles City Rehabilitation of the Olongapo-San Fernando Road, Olongapo City Widening and concreting of Paseo del Congreso, Malolos City Widening of Clark-Angeles-Magalang Road, Angeles City Widening of road leading to DMIA Route 1, Angeles City and City of San Fernando Road leading to DMIA Route 2, Angeles City Road leading to DMIA Route 3, Angeles City Lourdes Road-Clark Air Base, Bamban, Tarlac East Circumferential Road, Angeles City
II. Globally Competitive, Progressive and Resilient Citizenry

A. Minimize natural disaster casualties and economic losses Enhanced knowledge on Disaster Risk and Vulnerabilities For the period of 2011, 41 disaster records compiled covering the period from September 1998 to December 2011. Capacity building on the use of the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment (REDAS) software was conducted at Olongapo City. Strengthened Civil Protection and Community Resilience to Disaster Strategies on strengthening community resilience to disasters centered on information dissemination activities and capacity development programs. One of the major activities done on this matter is the massive information and advocacy campaigns regarding RA 10121 An Act Strengthening The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction And Management System, Providing For The National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Framework And Institutionalizing The National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Plan. Orientation regarding the salient features of the law was conducted among 36 Local Disaster Risk
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Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) in the region. In addition, 20 summits were also conducted regarding RA 10121. Furthermore, technical assistance was given to aid in the establishment and operationalization of LDRRMOs. In 2011, 15 LDRRMOs were assisted. Likewise, 61 LDRRMCs and 20 BDRRMCs were organized. In support to the information campaigns, 6,774 IEC materials were also distributed. Other trainings conducted included Training on Incident Command System (ICS) and Earthquake and Fire Drills. For the period of 2011, one (1) Basic Intermediate Training Course on Incident Command, 67 Earthquake Drills and 21 Fire Drills were conducted within the region. Additional activities included WASAR Exercise, Communication Exercise (CPX) and 1 Swift Water SAR. Lastly, 39 Contingency Plans were reviewed and revisited. Enhanced Coordination, Supervision and Monitoring of Disaster Response, Recovery and Rehabilitation In terms of enhancing coordination, supervision and monitoring of disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation, six (6) LDRRMCs were oriented on proper data gathering and consolidation of reports. Likewise, three (3) Early Recovery and Post-Disaster Needs Assessment were conducted. On the other hand, in the field of supervision and monitoring of infrastructure projects in particular, 10 projects implemented by LGUs were validated and endorsed to the NDRRMC for funding assistance. Lastly, the region through the Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) prepared a Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Recovery of the areas affected by Typhoons Pedring and Quiel to steer and direct rehabilitation efforts to priority areas. B. Improve basic education achievement rates Early Childhood Care and Development A slight increase in kindergarten enrolment was observed in SY 2011-2012. Enrolment rate is expected to increase in the coming school year due to the full swing implementation of the program for Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education is being implemented by virtue of Executive Order 8980/DepEd Order s. 1997. In 2011, 91 pre-school buildings were turned over to 17 divisions across the region. Elementary Division For the SY 2011-2012, a 5.09 percent increase in elementary participation rate was recorded for the region. Likewise, cohort survival rate increased by 10.55 percent
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from SY 2010-2011. Furthermore, there is a slight decrease in the transition rate and retention rate of 0.97 percent and 1.1 percent respectively (see Figure 1). Teacher to pupil ratio for the region is at 1:37 for SY 2011-2012.
Figure 1. Performance Indicators in Government Elementary Schools The administration of Regional Achievement Test (RAT) towards the end of the school year aims to assess the level of knowledge of students and further propose concrete actions and recommendations to improve the quality of education in government elementary schools. For SY 2010-2011, results of the RAT showed that among the five learning areas, English and Science and Health recorded a decrease from the previous school year by 0.23 and 0.91 percent respectively (see Table 11). All the other learning areas recorded an increase with Makabayan having the highest of 4.25 percent. Table 11. Regional Achievement Test Results, SY 2009-2010 and SY 2010-2011 MPS MPS Learning Areas SY 2009-2010 SY 2010-2011 English 77.32 77.09 Filipino 78.77 79.22 Mathematics 77.45 77.64 Science and Health 74.67 73.76 Makabayan 74.85 79.10 OVERALL 76.61 77.36
Source: DEPED III
Secondary Division On the other hand, for government secondary schools, a remarkable increase in cohort survival rate was realized. A 14.3 percent increase in cohort survival rate was observed from SY 2010-2011 to SY 2011-2012. Moreover, participation rate and
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transition rate exhibited slight decreases of 0.28 percent and 1.62 percent respectively (see Figure 2). Secondary teacher to pupil ratio is at 1:39 for SY 20112012.
Figure 2. Performance Indicators in Government Secondary Schools Similar to the elementary division, achievement tests are also regularly administered in government secondary schools. However it can be noticed that the results of the RAT for fourth year students has been in a declining trend for the past three years with Filipino having the highest decrease of 11.64 percent from SY 2009-2010 rate (see Table 12). Likewise, the overall RAT results for Central Luzon decreased from 67.26 percent in SY 2009-2010 to SY 2011-2012. Table 12. Regional Achievement Test Results for Fourth Year Students, SY 20092010 and SY 2011-2012 MPS MPS Learning Areas SY 2009-2010 SY 2011-2012 English 68.23 60.41 Science 64.61 56.48 Mathematics 62.71 59.02 Filipino 71.06 59.42 Araling Panlipunan 69.70 61.62 OVERALL 67.26 59.39
Source: DEPED III
C. Improve access to health services Health Operations Programs intended to maintain a healthy citizenry focused on three key areas: family health, communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases.
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Family Health Family health places emphasis on maternal and newborn health. One of the strategies implemented to reduce maternal deaths is through advocacy of family planning. Under the family planning program, contraceptives and other family planning commodities were distributed to 2 provinces, 5 cities, and 37 municipalities. Family Planning Competency-based Trainings were also conducted to reinforce advocacy of the program. However, there was a decrease in contraceptive prevalence rate from 30.00 percent in 2010 to 23.96 percent in 2011. Another advocacy being promoted by the DOH is about Newborn Screening (NBS). In the advocacy program, selected Barangay Health Workers (BHW) are trained on the three (3) courses of Newborn Screening Orientation. In 2011, three (3) batches of BHW Newborn Screening Orientation were conducted in the Province of Pampanga while NBS cluster meeting of hospital coordinators was done for the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac. Meanwhile, infant mortality rate slightly increased for Central Luzon from 4.54 percent in 2010 to 5.90 percent in 2011. Aside from maternal and newborn health, improved nutrition and intensified immunization was also a key strategy of the department. Improving nutrition practices such as breastfeeding and complementary feeding capability building were implemented for both the private and public sector. In 2011, a total of 134 participants underwent the Infant and Young Child Feeding and Lactation Management Training. For the Universal Vitamin A Supplementation under the Garantisadong Pambata Strategy, the regional coverage for Central Luzon was 92.65 percent including the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales and the cities of Angeles, Cabanatuan, Meycauayan, Olongapo, San Jose, and Tarlac City. Furthermore, results of the 2011 Operation Timbang Program of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) revealed a 4.18 percent prevalence rate of underweight preschoolers (see Table 13). In terms of provincial ranking, the Province of Aurora has the highest prevalence rate of 11.25 percent while the Province of Bulacan has the lowest of 2.17 percent. The Operation Timbang Program of the NNC is a yearly activity in partnership with the Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
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Table 13. 2011 Prevalence of Severely Underweight and Underweight Preschoolers in Central Luzon
Central Luzon Aurora Zambales Tarlac Bataan Nueva Ecija Pampanga Bulacan % OPT Coverage 93.91 100.00 97.02 94.91 88.73 100.00 89.78 94.66 Normal 1,388,844 21,976 62,599 147,281 83,333 174,500 227,657 272,014 % 94.58 86.39 89.52 92.87 93.07 93.78 94.13 97.07 Overweight 18,242 600 669 2,516 1,297 2,666 4,282 2,145 % 1.24 2.36 0.96 1.59 1.45 1.43 1.77 0.77 SEV 11,683 719 1,488 1,774 876 1,566 1,894 646 Underweight % UW % 0.80 49,651 3.38 2.83 2.13 1.12 0.98 0.84 0.78 0.23 2,143 5,169 7,015 4,029 7,344 8,017 5,425 8.42 7.39 4.42 4.50 3.95 3.31 1.94 Total 61,334 2,862 6,657 8,789 4,905 8,910 9,911 6,071 Prevalence Rate 4.18 11.25 9.52 5.54 5.48 4.79 4.10 2.17
Source: National Nutrition Council III
For the immunization program, the main activity conducted for the year was concentrated on the Measles Rubella Supplemental Immunization. This was an offshoot of the previous years measles outbreak. The activity was conducted from April 4 to May 31, 2011 while program review and assessment is on-going to improve immunization coverage. In improving access to safe water and sanitary toilet facilities, the region has achieved positive increase for the latter. The proportion of households with access to sanitary toilet facilities increased from 81.94 percent in 2010 to 83.35 percent in 2011. Meanwhile, the proportion of households with access to safe water decreased from 93.54 percent in 2010 to 84.04 percent in 2011. Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Some of the communicable diseases that are being closely monitored and controlled in the region are rabies, dengue, malaria, leprosy, and tuberculosis. Trainings and seminars are continuously conducted to inform and educate the public on the nature of these diseases, how to avoid them and treatments for such. In 2011, the Dengue Prevention and Control Program aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality from dengue mosquito bites launched the first Asean Dengue Day Celebration last June 15, 2011 in the City of San Fernando, Tarlac City, and Municipality of Subic. This activity aims to increase awareness on the proper prevention and control of the disease. In addition, a regional-based project entitled Establishing Dengue Free School Initiatives in Central Luzon has covered a total of 4,797 classrooms in 279 different schools protecting 193,980 children. Meanwhile, under the Malaria Control Program, a reduction of 9.82 percent in morbidity rate from 25.09 percent in 2010 to 15.27 percent in 2011. Furthermore the total number of confirmed cases in 2010 is 2,575 while in 2011 is at 1,597.
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This is can be attributed to the conduct of various trainings including Basic Malaria Microscopy Training for Medtechs and Barangay Health Workers, training on Basic Malaria Management for Rural Health Midwives and the training on Indoor Residual Spraying. However, two (2) deaths due to malaria was recorded in 2011. For the Leprosy Control Program, the prevalence rate of less than one case per 10,000 population has been sustained. Aside from orientation activities on Basic Leprosy, efforts has been focused on the provision of quality leprosy services at all levels. Another program under Communicable Diseases Cluster is the National Tuberculosis Control Program. In 2011, the region has achieved a Case Detection Rate (CDR) of 58 percent and a Cure Rate (CR) of 75 percent. Meanwhile mortality rate increased from 1.09 percent in 2010 to 3.70 percent in 2011. The prevention and control of non-communicable diseases on the other hand has been focused on four (4) lifestyle-related diseases namely: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. Selected health workers in the region were made to undergo a comprehensive training module on Integrated Non-Communicable Disease Program (INCDP). This is done to equip and capacitate frontline health workers and other key partners on the prevention of non-communicable diseases which are commonly associated with tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. D. Support the development of world-oriented higher education institutions There are a total of 12 State Universities and Colleges in Central Luzon. Total enrolment for SY 2011-2012 increased by 21.61 percent from SY 2010-2011 levels while total number of graduates increased by 10.69 percent. On the other hand, total number of enrollees for Private Higher Education Institutions slightly increased by 6.37 percent from the previous school year while an 11.86 percent decrease in the total number of graduates was also recorded (see Table 14). Table 14. Summary of enrollees and graduates for SUCs and Private HEIs in Central Luzon, SY 2010-2012 2010-2011 2011-2012 % Increase /Decrease State Universities and Colleges Total number of enrollees 94,418 114,820 21.61 Total number of graduates 15,600 17,268 10.69 Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Total number of enrollees 114,933 122,249 6.37 Total number of graduates 17,586 15,500 -11.86
Source: CHED 3
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In terms of student population, Bulacan State University remains to be the largest SUC with 28,273 students in 2011 while the smallest is the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy. This can be explained by the number of programs offered by each SUC, the more diverse the programs are, the larger the number of students. For the Private HEIs per province, Bulacan tops the list with a total of 26,377 students for SY 2011-2012 while Aurora has the least number of students with a total of 2,860 students. Most of the private HEIs experienced decrease in the total number of graduates from SY 2010-2011 to SY 2011-2012. Among geographical distribution, Angeles City exhibited the highest decrease in the total number of graduates corresponding to 38.73 percent followed by Olongapo City with 36.82 percent and the Province of Zambales with 23.90 percent. Meanwhile, the regions performance in terms of average percent passing in different licensure exams exhibited decline in 11 out of the 21 disciplines. These included programs mostly on engineering and education. On the other hand, five (5) disciplines including Accountancy, Agricultural Engineering, Geodetic Engineering, Architecture and Guidance Counseling posted increases in average percent passing over the last three years (see Table 15). Table 15. Average Percent Passing in Licensure Exams: Central Luzon, 2008-2010 Discipline Average Percent Passing Increase/ Decrease 2008 2009 2010 1. Accountancy 34.87 39.60 46.91 2. Agricultural Engineering 27.39 47.9 60.96 3. Agriculture 36.46 26.22 28.64 4. Architecture 26.37 26.91 41.23 5. Chemistry 22.41 21.11 22.42 6. Civil Engineering 40.78 50.55 40.54 7. Electrical Engineering 41.21 37.27 31.22 8. Electronics and 41.29 24.18 27.65 Communication Engineering 9. Fisheries Technology 66.67 36.36 23.81 10. Forestry 46.15 55.56 25.00 11. Geodetic Engineering 13.89 62.855 80.77 12. Guidance Counseling 50.00 50.00 62.50 13. LET-Elementary 47.20 32.62 26.33 14. LET-Secondary 34.99 23.95 23.39 15. Library Science 29.17 21.74 22.22 16. Marine Engineering 90.00 79.31 90.54 17. Marine Transportation 63.58 60.44 61.9 18. Mechanical Engineering 69.40 42.79 54.02 19. Midwifery 73.68 92.26 89.10 20. Nursing 53.06 47.55 43.59 21. Veterinary Medicine 41.03 31.02 26.98
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Source: CHED
Access to Quality Higher Education There are 5,294 on-going grantees under the Scholarship, Grants-in-Aid and Loan programs in the region. Based on the data for the last five years, the success rate of graduates vs. the total number of grantees are: 84% for the Scholarship program, 72% for the Grant-in-Aid program and 73% for the Loan program. For 2011, 133 grantees successfully completed their respective courses which are under the priority programs of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Three (3) general assemblies and orientations on Revised Implementing Guidelines for the CHED Student Financial Assistance Programs (STuFAPs) were conducted in 2011. The orientations were done on October 25-27, 2011 on three venues: Lyceum of Subic Bay, SBMA, Olongapo City, Tarlac State University, Tarlac City and Holy Angel University, Angeles City. In continuing pursuit to raise the efficiency and effectiveness levels in the delivery of services and financial assistance to student-grantees, monitoring and assessment of the administration of the programs by the partner HEIs were done. Six (6) HEIs were visited to determine compliance to pertinent policies and guidelines. Implementation of other scholarship and loan programs such as STUFAP SAFE-4SR, Student Assistance Fund for Education (SAFE) and PGMA Help were likewise included in the monitoring activity. Collection of Study Now Pay Later Plan (SNPLP) repayments for FY 2011 increased by 167% from collections made on FY 2010. From last years collection of Php 98,714.26, CHEDROIII was able to collect Php 263,097.61 in 2011. A total of 2,387 Special Order numbers were issued to 11,469 graduates while 8,081 students/graduates were issued Certification, Authentication and Verification (CAV) for FY 2011. National Service Training Program (NSTP) serial numbers issued on 2011 totals 5,407 for graduates of AY 2003-2004 to 2010-2011. Thirty-seven (37) HEIs applied for a tuition fee increase effective AY 2011-2012. Out of this number, 28 HEIs were given favorable action or 14.66% of the total HEIs in the region implemented a tuition fee increase for AY 2011-2012. The rest of the 163 HEIs or 83.77% of the total HEIs in the region maintained tuition fee levels. The average rate of increase is 12.81% with a peso equivalent of Php 50.27. On the other hand, 49 HEIs implemented increases on other school fees wherein the average rate of increase is 18.98%.
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One of the Alternative Learning System available in the region is Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). Six HEIs are currently offering the said program of the Commission, namely: Angeles University Foundation, Araullo University, Central Luzon State University, Holy Angel University, Pampanga Agricultural College and University of the Assumption. Lastly, twelve (12) faculty members were granted scholarships in masters/doctoral studies under the CHED Faculty Development Program. E. High employable technical and vocational skills The number of Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) in the region has remarkably increased over a relatively short period of time as a response for the increase in demand for skilled workers in the country and in the global labor market. Technical and vocational skills training is seen as one of the vehicles in increasing employment not only in Central Luzon but in the country as a whole. In 2011, an increase of 144 percent from 2010 levels has been achieved in terms of enrollees from the four training delivery modes conducted by the TESDA 3: schoolbased, center-based, community-based and enterprise-based programs. These account for 154,213 enrollees for the current year (see Table 16). Of the total, 139,943 or 91 percent graduated. Meanwhile, for the 58,884 graduates who underwent assessment, 72,012 were given certification which translates to an 84 percent certification rate accomplishment for the region. Table 16. Accomplishment on Enrolled, Graduated, Assessed, Certified and Employed (EGACE), Central Luzon Performance 2011 Increase Indicator Output from 2010 Target (%) Enrolled 154,213 144 Graduated 139,943 144 Assessed 85,884 81 Certified 72,072 *Employed 74,012 272
Source: TESDA III
The top five qualifications with the highest number of employed graduates include Shielded Metal Arc Welding National Certificate II (SMAW NC II), Massage Therapy NC II, Computer Hardware Servicing NC II, Contact Center Services NC II, and Commercial Cooking NC II. Furthermore, the formulation of the Central Luzon Regional Technical Educations and Skills Development Plan (CL-RTESDP) 2011-2016 embodies the strategies to address the challenges confronting TVET to further enhance the relevance of technical education in the region. More specifically, the strategies focuses on policy reiteration and implementation, rejuvenation of the Dual Training System, nurturing
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and expanding partnerships, capability enhancement programs, on-line jobs facilitation thru TESDA Blue Desk Program, technical assistance to the DepEds K to 12 Program, and promotion of the Ladderized Education, among others.
III. World-Class passenger mobility and cargo distribution network

The Regional Development aimed to attain the Central Luzons vision by adopting the enhanced W Growth Corridor spatial strategy which emphasized the importance of an effective urban-rural link as a vehicle for inclusive growth. The means to advance the gear for economic development in the region is the efficient access of transport system through roads, airports and seaports. Central Luzon is a natural gateway linking the National Capital Region (NCR) and the rest of Northern Luzon via the Cagayan Valley Road and the Manila North Road. Its proximity to Metro Manila provided opportunities to regions fast development. The Central Luzons infrastructure such as airport, sea ports and road networks have an advantage to access products and tourist destinations not only in the region but also in the neighbor regions. The Central Luzon has a total of 2,269.450 kms. of national roads (Arterial 1026.412 kms, Secondary 1243.038kms) as of June 2012. 92.62% of the total length are already paved and only 7.38% remaining unpaved (Table 1.1). Table 17. Inventory of existing national roads, as of June 2012 Road Paved Unpaved Total length (km) (Length in km) (Length in km) Arterial Secondary Total
Source:
942.5410 1,159.4076 2,101.9486
83.8710 83.6304 167.5014
1026.412 1243.038 2,269.450
The efforts on roads and bridges development in the region in 2011 is shown in the Table 1.2. 92.62% of the national roads and bridges are already permanent and the rest are functional road and bridges made of gravel and earth.
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Table 18. Regional summary of length and type of national roads and bridges, as of June 2012 Roads Total Province length Surface type (L.M.) (L.M.) Concrete Asphalt Gravel Earth Aurora 254,927.85 162,030.00 92,897.86 Bataan 327,384.00 153,472.00 142,795.00 19,776.00 11,341.00 Bulacan 327,916.00 136,465.00 171,742.00 19,694.00 15.00 Nueva 519,548.00 269,251.60 235,552.40 14,744.00 Ecija Pampanga 316,475.00 174,809.02 130,938.98 10,727.00 Tarlac 334,964.00 156,848.60 170,679.40 7,436.00 Zambales 191,732.00 19,232.60 172,499.40 Total 2,272,946.85 1,072,108.82 1,024,207.18 165,274.86 11,356.00
Source: DPWH
Improvement and construction of various DPWH projects were completed in 2011 with 8,993.80 km of roads and 1,662.1 LM of bridges with total cost of about P2.5 billion pesos. Later in 2011, the Central Luzon was declared under state of calamity due to the series of heavy typhoons that caused serious damages to the infrastructure in the region. The DPWH has prioritized setting up a system in identifying road sections and flood control structures vulnerable to inundations, landslides and damages. To prevent interruption in the intra and inter-regional traffic within Central Luzon and to ensure preparedness and damage control, about P536 million pesos were allotted for construction of 61 flood control and drainage projects. A. Improve land transport access from the urban core to the east and west coasts. Physical connectivity of the regions urban core to the agricultural and tourist areas promotes efficiency of production, consumption process and integrate product markets. The east-west lateral connection also facilitate access to development opportunities. The main east-west lateral connection is provided by the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) -Sta. Rosa Cabanatuan Bongabon Baler Road. The Construction of Iba-Tarlac Expressway is still under study at it still lacks the required traffic demand to implement the project. North Rail Project. Railway is an important mass transport system that provides fast and convenient way of moving people and goods, it also accelerate socio-economic development in Metro Manila and Central Luzon. The Construction of North Rail Project with length of 31.938 railway line that would connect Caloocan City and Malolos City, Bulacan. However, the construction was suspended in 2011for further contract review.
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Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). TPLEX will provide direct access from Tarlac interconnecting SCTEX up to Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan Section 1 reducing the travel time from two hours to 30 minutes. It will also provide easy access to Cordillera and Central Luzon regions as it will be linked to the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressways. The section 1, which runs 48.6 kms. is 71.18 percent finished and will be completed by May 31, 2013. Construction of the other two sectionsCarmen-Urdaneta, Pangasinan section, and Pangasinan-Rosario, La Union section are still ongoing. The road is initially planned to have two lanes and subsequently expanded to four when capacity reaches 25,000 vehicles per day.
There are other major project under the Public-Private partnership (PPP) scheme that are already scheduled for implementation starting 2014. These projects would enhance the connectivity of east and west coast, namely: 1) Central Luzon Expressway (CLEx) - Phase I, Tarlac-Cabanatuan. This project is tentatively scheduled on September 2014 with the construction of a 4-Lane expressway with a total length of 30.7 kms to decongest traffic at Daang Maharlika . This will support development of regional urban centers in Central Luzon and the Pacific Ocean Coastal Areas in order to decrease over concentration of socio-economic activities in Metro Manila. CLEX forms an important lateral (east-west) link of overall High Standard Highway (or Expressway) Network within the 200 km radius from Metro Manila. It diverges from SCTEx at 2.5 km north of Luisita Interchange and traverses flat plain of Central Luzon in the east-west direction, then passes Cabanatuan City and ends at San Jose City in Region III. Phase I ends at Cabanatuan City and Phase II at San Jose City. The estimated total project cost is PhP 15.92 Billion. 2) Central Luzon Expressway (CLEx) - Phase II, Cabanatuan-San Jose. Tentatively scheduled for implementation on September 2015. The project is an extension of CLEx Phase I and will connect Cabanatuan City to San Jose City in Nueva Ecija Province. The construction of a 2-Lane expressway with a total length of 35.7 km. will contribute to the development of the regional growth centers in Central and Northern Luzon areas and also aims to decrease overconcentration of transport system and will provide faster access to Region II. The estimated total project cost is PhP 14.2 Billion. B. Increased the level of service of strategic roads and north-south arterial links The strategic connection of the regions road network system, being the transit point from the urban metropolis and the resource rich agricultural areas to the north will provide that needed boost for economic growth.
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The DPWH has implemented various projects that further develop the north-south arterial links. In 2011, the DPWH completed the improvement and construction of 111 projects with equivalent of 111.764 Km of roads and highways. There are at least 18 major on-going projects worth about 2.6 billion pesos. One of the major ongoing projects is the Manila North Road (MNR) Project which cover improvement, widening and concreting of roads in Tarlac : 1st district (Paniqui-Moncana Section), 2nd District (Tarlac City Gerona Section), 3rd District (Bamban-Capas Section). The upgrading of MNR would lessen traffic congestion and control flooding in the area. The Widened MNR plus the effective traffic management implemented by the LGUs also advance the logistics and transshipment hub agenda of the region. Cagayan Valley Road (CVR) Widening and Upgrading. The CVR is one main northsouth arterial connection of Central Luzon to the Northern Luzon Regions. The congestion of CVR is particularly evident in i) Palridel-Baliuag, ii) Cabanatuan City and, iii) San Jose City Sections. The Arterial Road By-Pass Project (Phase I) is a part of envisioned upgrading of the inter-urban highway system along the CVR to ease the traffic congestion along Plaridel-Baliuag. The Plaidel Bypass section passes through four (4) municipalities in Bulacan namely Balagtas, Guiginto, Palridel and Bustos with total length of 17.05 kms is already 78.98 percent complete as of last quarter of 2011. The rehabilitation, construction and upgrading of damaged paved National Roads such as Roman Expressway; Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road; NCR/Bulacan Boundary-Bigte-Ipo Dam Road; Daang Maharlika Road; Gapan-Fort Magsaysay Road would facilitate accessibility and travel time. DPHW project also includes the construction of Balagtas and North Food Exchange Interchange, San Juan, Balagtas Bulacan; upgrading to paved of Baler-Casiguran Road; Apalit-Arayat Levee, Phase I&II, Pampanga; Rehabilitation/improvement of Pampanga Delta dike; construction of Camiling Bridge and approaches in Tarlac; restoration of Temporary bridge Approaches A of Bravo Bridge along Palayan City, General Natividad Road, NE; and asphalt overlay of City of San Fernando GSO Road. Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo (GSO) Road Development Project (Phase I&II). GSO I & II are basically upgrading/widening of roads and bridges with dredging component which would benefit the City of San Fernando, Municipalities of Bacolor, Lubao, Sta. Rita, and Guagua in Pampanga and Dinalupihan in Bataan. The phase I of this project was completed in 2011 that includes the widening of 20 KM existing 2-lanes to 4-lanes road, reconstruction of Sta. Cruz Bridge 1 from 2-lanes to 4-lane PC Girder Bridges with total length of 280 m. GSO II involves the widening of the existing 11.30 km road of GSO section from Sta. Cruz, Lubao to Layac, Dinalupihan, Bataan. The Lubao bypass which is originally part of the project was constructed using the local funds and was opened to traffic in the first quarter of 2011. The project contract has been approved on December 2011 with expected implementation on February 2012. The completion of these projects would reduce
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transportation constraints, maintain transportation routes during flooding and ease traffic congestion thus promote economic development in the region. C. Integrate the three modes of transportation (land, air, and sea) Air and sea transport serves an equally important role in passenger and goods movement within and outside the region and the country. The integration of the three transport modes would create the needed synergy to strengthen the regions drive to become a global gateway between Asia and rest of the world. The central Luzon has two International Airport namely the Clark International Airport located in Clarkfield, Pampanga and the Casiguran-Baler International Airport in Aurora. The Subic Clark Sea Ports is an asset of the region that has developed into a competitive transshipment hub in the Asia-Pacific Region. Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco) Facilities Developement. The construction of Port and Airport facilities and corporate center buildings within the proclaimed APECO area magnifies the economic development in Central Luzon. The CasiguranBaler International with upgraded runway of 1.5 km provide inter regional air connection and international access. The Casiguran airport also interlink with the airport in San Luis town, Cauayan and Palanan, also in airport in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan. The construction of a 198-meter port for the roll-on, roll-off ferry by the Philippine Ports Authority is being fast-tracked for full implementation.
IV. Sustainable land-using activities

A. Ensure that mining operations are environment-friendly Among the seven provinces in Central Luzon, Zambales is considered as the one with the most number of mining operations. Minerals abundantly located in the province include chromite, gold, iron, and nickel. Mineral production, administration and other related activities in the region are being coordinated by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). Under their jurisdiction, services and programs are centered on Mineral Lands Administration and Geosciences Development Services. Regular monitoring and auditing of approved mining contracts/permits including areas within mineral reservations as to compliance to the implementation of approved Work Program and Safety, Health, Environment and Social Programs is conducted by the MGB. In 2011, a total of 40 Work Programs and 18 Safety, Health, Environment and Social Programs were monitored. In addition, 35 complaints/cases/conflicts were investigated and resolved. On the other hand, in the issuance of mining rights/contracts/permits, a total of five (5) permits ranging from Exploration Permit (EP), Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit
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(ISAGP), and Mineral Processing Permit were issued by the MGB. In ensuring environmental protection two (2) Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) were endorsed to the Mines Rehab Fund Committee (MRFC) and at the same time, two (2) Social Development Management Programs (SDMP) were approved. Communication Plan for Minerals Development focused on information campaigns including activities such as Stakeholders Forum, Radio/TV guestings, and press releases. Capacity building on mining laws, rules, and regulations through trainings were also conducted. In 2011 alone, 15 small-scale miners/operators were trained. Meanwhile, in the identification and mapping of critical areas for geohazard survey and assessment, there were 15 municipalities and 23 barangays assessed. In the field of groundwater resources vulnerability assessment, one (1) area was covered which is the Municipality of Mariveles, Bataan.
V. Socially-Responsible Property Rights

A. Security over property rights Land Tenure Improvement seeks to secure the tenurial status of the farmers and farm workers in the lands they till. This is operationalized by the Department of Agrarian Reform either through land acquisition and distribution and leasehold operations. In 2011, there was a 101.67 percent accomplishment or 4,018 hectares was attained over the target of 3,952 hectares. This has benefited 4,997 farmer-beneficiaries. Lands distributed for the year comprised of 88 percent or 3,677 hectares private agricultural lands (PAL), and 12 percent non-PAL. In terms of provincial performance, Zambales posted the highest percentage of accomplishment of 101.92 percent while the Province of Pampanga distributed the most with 1,028 hectares. As a result of this, the working scope of CARP for Central Luzon which is registered at 450,904 hectares until 2014 has been trimmed down to only about 16,803 hectares or 3.7 percent of the total working scope for the next three years since the region had already parceled and handed out 434,101 hectares to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) as of December 31, 2011. Large portions of the remaining working scope are located in the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija North, and Tarlac. Meanwhile, under the DENR-LMS, a total of 1,043 patents has been accomplished on the Patent Processing and Issuances. The patent issuances under RA 10023 (Residential Free Patent Law) totaled to 3,993 representing 60 percent of the annual target. The relatively low accomplishment is due to some factors such as difficulty in securing zoning certification.
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Central Luzon Regional Development Council 2/F Hyatt Garden Building, Dolores City of San Fernando, Pampanga 2000 Tel. Nos. (045) 963-6772 to 73 Fax No. (045) 961-3902 e-mail: neda3@pldtdsl.net

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT