Municipal Commerce Profile

C. Economic Information

Commerce - Although the municipality of Carrascal is not considered as the key commercial area of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, and Lanuza (CarCanMadCarLan), still, trade and commerce is slowly thriving in the area. If developed, the town may compliment the neighboring towns as producer of goods and services and as a secondary center for trade, commerce and services in the northern part of the province

At present, the municipality's commerce is predominantly for local consumption only and business depends largely on rice and coconut production and also in fishing. Most business establishments are characterized by sari-sari stores. The sari-sari stores and other establishments were resorted to by the people as means of livelihood in the absence of employment and other income generating activities. These serve the needs of the households within the barangay and the neighboring areas. Most of the establishments tend to close anytime because most people prefer to shop in Tandag and Surigao City where big commercial establishments are selling complete items of goods and commodities. Poverty also resulted in low purchasing power and low demand of goods and services, affecting negatively the viability of business establishments. Barangay Adlay and Panikian serve as the secondary growth areas outside the poblacion. Each has its own public market and other commercial establishments that surrounds the barangay site. Trading within the barangays is usual, and "Tabo" every Sunday where farm produce coming from different barangays are brought to the Municipal Public Market. Barangay Adlay, Bon-ot, Babuyan, Pantukan and Dahican has reserve on gold ores and other mineral products and VTP Mining and Construction Company is now in full mining operation these potentials.

Support facilities of commerce and trade are still inadequate, considering the magnitude of buyers from the other towns and the local consumers.

Industry - Although the mining industry is already in operation, small industries do still thrive in Carrascal, such as rice mills, welding shops, bakeries and other small businesses. Abundance of raw materials and resources are available in the municipality. However, due to lack of potential investors, it has not been fully tapped.

Constituents of the municipality, specifically in the 7 coastal barangays also produce fish products like "Buyad na Dahon-Tubo/Bolinao" (Dried Fish) and the famous "Angsohan". However, due to small capital, processing and packaging of the said products are still to be developed.

Demography