Regional development policies in the Philippines: From diffusion to integration

Abstract

After periods of lost decades, the Philippines is seemingly on the path of revival as the economy remains strong in the midst of global economic slowdown. Looking deeply into the ‘boom–bust’ growth record reveals a wide spatial disparity in growth and development. This uneven distribution of wealth and economic activities across geographic space exists everywhere, but is particularly evident in developing countries like the Philippines. While the capital and its neighboring regions have been achieving relative affluence, regions in Visayas and Mindanao remain mired in poor local conditions. Various development policies and strategies have been implemented and undertaken to address this spatial disparity. This study surveys the various development strategies undertaken in the Philippines and analyses the transformation in development thinking. This study also presents facts and figures about the economic geography of the Philippines and examines the influence of development strategies in the economic geography, particularly focusing on decentralization and economic liberalization efforts.