Rapid Economic Appraisal in the Municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur:  Concepts, Methods, and Lessons Learned

Ferdinand  J. Lamarca,

Rapid Economic Appraisal in the Municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur: Concepts, Methods, and Lessons Learned

Discipline: Economics

Abstract:

This study sought to appraise the economy of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. It used as a tool local and regional economic development particularly the rapid economic appraisal. Local economic growth has been perceived to be improving. The transfer of the public market to the national highway has been considered to be one of the main reasons for the economic growth of the place. At present agriculture is the main source of employment in Tagudin, followed by small business enterprises, trading, and manufacturing.

The top most burning issues are high cost of electricity, inadequate access to finance, need to improve agriculture and agribusiness, need to develop eco-tourism, and inadequate access to market of products. To address these problems, the interventions were formulated. First is the formulation of Five-Year Tourism and Investment Plan. Second intervention is improving tourism and investment collaterals by improving power supply and rationalizing cost. Third are the benchmarking and investment missions abroad.

As a tool, REA is effective. Being participatory, the people were consulted. They co-own the issues as well as the interventions.