One out of 10 households still does not have access to safe water supply and sanitary toilet, and two out of 10 children aged six to 11 are out of school.
These were the latest figures presented by the regional office of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) at a forum here over the weekend.
Despite these appalling statistics, NEDA regional director Remigio Mercado sees bright prospects for Central Luzon whose gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate was estimated at two percent, and inflation rate at 6.8 percent.
According to NEDA, the region’s employment rate has gone up by 3.5 percent and investments at 9.9 percent. Exports, however, plunged by negative 12.6 percent.
Mercado identified 12 "major sources of growth" — either finished or lined up for completion up to 2010 — that could boost the economy of Central Luzon.
These projects include intensified corn production, more hybrid palay production, the Bulacan north food terminal complex and agro-food exchange, the Casecnan multi-purpose irrigation and power project, the upgrading of the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo Road, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac and North Luzon expressways.
Mercado also included in his list the Subic Bay port project and port development program, both expected to be finished in 2007, the construction of the Dingalan port in Aurora, and the full operation of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here by 2009.
Despite upward trends in employment and investments, NEDA reported negative trends in the region.
Mercado presented government estimates of a negative 0.8 percent growth in the industry sub-sectors of mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and electricity and water.
The mining and quarrying industry, for one, posted a growth rate of negative 11.8 percent.
While there was a 3.22 percent metric ton increase in palay production and 19.33 percent increase in corn production, the livestock and poultry sector posted a negative 3.28 percent growth.
The fishery sector, for its part, generated a 10.10 percent increase in metric ton production.
The overall two percent GRDP growth of Central Luzon covered a 1.5 percent growth in agriculture, fishery, and forestry, 5.3 percent growth in services, and negative 0.8 growth in industry, NEDA said.