Manila, April 22 -- The economy of Western Visayas grew by 4.3 percent last year, slower than the 6.8 percent growth in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday.

PSA Western Visayas chief statistical specialist Nelida Amolar attributed the slower growth to the exclusion of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, which are now part of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

"This growth rate translates to PHP641.76 billion. However, the GRDP (gross regional domestic product) in 2024 is higher by PHP26.5 billion than the region's GDP (gross domestic product) in 2023 of PHP615.29 billion," Amolar said during the dissemination forum held simultaneously with other regions.

Amid the slower growth, the region shared 2.9 per...