Local Economy

The total volume of agricultural production in about 8,008.35 hectares of land in 1999 was about 32, 842 MT. Forty six percent of this volume was obtained from irrigated and rain-fed rice. The other 54 percent represent outputs from coconut, corn, root crops, vegetable, spices, fruits and industrial crops. In 1999, the average rice production was about 3.70 MT per hectare. Also on the same year, Bgys. Lucio Laurel, Papandungin, Malayong, Kawit and G. Antonino accounted for 53 percent of total land area devoted to rice. Bgys. Banus, Manguyang and Malayong had the most area devoted to bananas. Backyard livestock production on horses, swine, cattle and goats had been increasing at differing rates from 1996 to 1998. On fisheries, there were about 77 units of backyard fishponds in Gloria as of January 2001. As of March 2000, about 81 percent of total business establishments are commercial while the remaining are light/cottage/agro-industrial in nature. About 49 percent of the commercial businesses are small-scale stores, while banks, drug stores, resorts, gas stations, bakeries, lodging houses and other similar establishments represent 25 percent. Seven percent are agricultural supply stores and other agriculture related retail activities. On the other hand, rice mills and semi-coño stations comprise the majority of the light industrial establishments of Gloria. The rest comprises of hollow block and iron works factories, welding shops and other light industrial and cottage industries. Its geographical location and relatively untouched environment make Gloria an attractive tourist destination area. Beach resorts are located in Bgy. Guimbonan, Tambong, and Agsalin. Other potential tourist spots include the Walang Langit Waterfalls, the proposed camping site in Bgy. Manguyang, and interesting mountain areas in Bgy. Buong Lupa. The absence of roads and other infrastructure and utilities in these potential tourist areas, however, pose a major hindrance to the development of the tourism sector.