Economy
Economy and Livelihood of Alcantara
The Foundation: Agriculture and Fishery
The economic goal of the LGU is centered on promoting and developing the local agriculture and fishery industry. These sectors, along with mining and forestry, represent the largest portion of employed persons in the municipality.
Agriculture and Crops
- Land Utilization: A total of 3,120.10 hectares, or 32.80% of Alcantara’s total land area, is devoted to agriculture.
- Staple and High-Value Crops: Farmers primarily cultivate staple crops such as rice (palay), corn, cassava, and camote. High-value crops, including mango and cashew, are also raised.
- Coconut Production: The largest area planted is devoted to the coconut crop, covering 1,412 hectares.
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Fishing is one of the major sources of income for people living in Alcantara’s coastal communities. The LGU also supports diversification in this sector:
- Livelihood Diversification: Seaweed farming has begun to gain popularity among fisherfolk as an alternative source of livelihood.
Commerce, Trade, and Employment
Alcantara’s commercial activity is concentrated in the town proper, serving as the trade hub for residents.
Business Establishments
- A total of 236 business establishments are operating within the municipality.
- Trade Concentration: The majority of these businesses are engaged in Wholesale and Retail Trade (184 establishments), followed by the transportation sector. Business establishments are mostly located in Barangay Poblacion.
Top Employment Sectors (Based on magnitude of employed persons):
Agriculture, Mining and Forestry
Construction (which shows a significant proportion of male employment)
Fishing
Wholesale and Retail Trade, Vehicle Repair
Natural Resources and Development Potential
The municipality is endowed with various natural resources that hold potential for economic development.
- Metallic Minerals (Unexplored): The municipality has rich mineral resources, including Copper in Barangay Camili, and Iron in Barangays Camili and Tugdan.
- Non-Metallic Resources: Gravel and sand are abundant in coastal areas and rivers, and are a key source of non-metallic resources for nearby municipalities.
The inland barangays in the mountain areas are prone to landslide. Barangay Bagsik has experienced such calamity when families were covered with eroded soil sometime in early 1990’s. Such fatalities were not retrieved though heavy equipments were used during the rescue operation. Any structure was not allowed to be erected in the area since then. Other hazardous areas include those along the rivers wherein flashfloods occurred during heavy rains. Some fatalities and deaths were also recorded.
The fault line of the municipality is located near the shoreline along the municipal waters traversing the barangay proper of barangay Tugdan in where the Tablas Airport is located. So far, no indication has appeared yet that the fault line will move.
Water and Soil
The municipality possesses three main soil types—clay, loam, and sandy—and several classifications that are suitable for growing the local crops. Almost all barangays in Alcantara have an abundant source of water, mostly through spring sources that have been developed into Level III water supply systems.