Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur is the largest province in the Bicol Region, situated in the southeastern part of Luzon, Philippines. It encompasses a land area of approximately 5,511.90 square kilometers, accounting for about 29.87% of the Bicol Region’s total area and 1.75% of the entire Philippines. As per the 2020 Census, the province has a population of 2,068,244, making it the most populous in the region. The provincial capital is Pili, while Naga City serves as the cultural and economic hub. Camarines Sur comprises two cities—Naga and Iriga—and 35 municipalities, further subdivided into 1,063 barangays.
Geographically, the province features diverse landscapes, including the Bicol Plain, Mount Isarog, Mount Iriga, and the Caramoan Peninsula. It is home to several natural parks and protected areas, such as the Mount Isarog Natural Park and the Buhi Wildlife Sanctuary. The climate is tropical, with a dry season from March to May and a wet season for the remainder of the year. The average annual rainfall is approximately 2,565 mm, and the average temperature hovers around 27°C.
Economically, Camarines Sur relies heavily on agriculture, with rice, corn, and coconut as primary crops. The province also has a significant fisheries sector, particularly in freshwater aquaculture. Tourism contributes to the local economy, with attractions like the Caramoan Islands, Lake Buhi, and various heritage churches drawing visitors.
Agricultural Sector
The agricultural sector in Camarines Sur faced a complex landscape in 2023, marked by both notable achievements and significant challenges. The province maintained its position as a leading agricultural area in the Bicol Region, particularly in corn production, registering the highest yield at 3.95 metric tons per hectare during the third quarter of 2023. However, rice production encountered difficulties, with average yields of 3.72 metric tons per hectare, reflecting the impact of adverse weather conditions and other production constraints. Overall, while Camarines Sur’s agricultural sector demonstrated resilience and maintained its significance in the region’s economy, it continues to face challenges that require sustained support and strategic interventions to ensure sustainable growth and food security.
Fisheries Sector
The fisheries sector in Camarines Sur has experienced a complex trajectory in recent years, marked by both challenges and resilience. While specific provincial data for 2023 is limited, regional trends provide insight into the sector’s status. In the Bicol Region, which includes Camarines Sur, the fisheries sector faced difficulties in meeting production targets for 2023. Various programs and activities were implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to address these challenges, yet the sector did not achieve its anticipated output levels. initiatives have been undertaken to bolster the sector. BFAR’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program has been active in the region, providing support to fisherfolk through training, provision of equipment, and other livelihood interventions.
Poverty Situation
Camarines Sur continues to face significant poverty challenges, with the province recording a poverty incidence of 38.7%, the highest among the six provinces in the Bicol Region . This figure indicates that nearly four out of ten residents live below the official poverty threshold, underscoring the severity of economic deprivation in the area. Efforts to address poverty in Camarines Sur include government initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, providing livelihood support, and implementing social protection programs. However, the persistent high poverty rates highlight the need for more targeted and sustainable interventions to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the province’s residents.
Project Profile
BFAR
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, has been actively implementing various projects in Camarines Sur to enhance the livelihoods of local fisherfolk and promote sustainable fisheries development. BFAR-SAAD’s commitment to supporting marginalized fisherfolk in Camarines Sur through comprehensive interventions that encompass production support, capacity building, and market access, thereby promoting sustainable fisheries development in the province.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bombon | San Jose (Pob.) | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Bombon Fishpond Operators Association | 57 | 1,450,744.00 |
| 2023 | Buhi | Santa Isabel | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Buhi Indigenous People Farmers And Fishermen Association | 19 | 1,286,680.00 |
| 2023 | Cabusao | Pandan | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Samahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan | 42 | 972,552.00 |
| 2023 | Camaligan | Tarosanan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Team Camaligan Hanap-buhay Association | 20 | 1,100,980.00 |
| 2023 | Gainza | Cagbunga | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association | 20 | 1,286,680.00 |
| 2023 | Garchitorena | Mansangat | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Mansangat Farmers And Fishermen Association | 20 | 421,940.00 |
| 2023 | Goa | Gimaga | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Goa Fisherfolk And Farmers Association | 65 | 1,078,976.00 |
| 2023 | Libmanan | Tinalmud Nuevo | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Punto Asul Fisherfolk Association | 30 | 560,940.00 |
| 2023 | Sagñay | Nato | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Sikap Parapangke Association | 50 | 934,900.00 |
| 2023 | San Fernando | Cotmo | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | San Fernando Fisherfolk Association | 35 | 1,336,179.00 |
| 2023 | Siruma | Pinitan | Seaweed Culture | Samahan Ng Mga Mangingisda Ng Pinitan (smp), Inc | 34 | 984,000.00 |
| 2023 | Tigaon | San Antonio | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association | 52 | 1,450,744.00 |
| 2024 | Bombon | San Jose (Pob.) | Tilapia and Catfish Culture in Pond | Bombon Fishpond Operator Association | 43 | 1,408,548.00 |
| 2024 | Buhi | Santa Isabel | Tilapia Culture in Modified Cage | Buhi Indigenous Peoples Farmers And Fishermen Agriculture Cooperative | 18 | 766,000.00 |
| 2024 | Cabusao | Pandan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Samahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan | 42 | 1,802,200.00 |
| 2024 | Camaligan | Tarosanan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Team Camaligan Hanap-buhay Association | 20 | 130,000.00 |
| 2024 | Gainza | Cagbunga | Fishing Gear (Freshwater Gillnet) | Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association | 19 | 185,000.00 |
| 2024 | Garchitorena | Mansangat | Motorized boat (22 footer) | Mansangat Farmers And Fisherfolk Association | 17 | 868,000.00 |
| 2024 | Goa | Gimaga | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Goa Fisherfolk And Farmers Association | 62 | 848,894.00 |
| 2024 | Libmanan | Tinalmud Nuevo | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Punto Asul Fisherfolk Organization | 30 | 868,000.00 |
| 2024 | Sagñay | Nato | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Sikap Parapangke Association | 50 | 1,232,885.00 |
| 2024 | San Fernando | Cotmo | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | San Fernando Coastal Fisherfolk Association | 28 | 868,000.00 |
| 2024 | Siruma | Pinitan | Fishing Gear (Crab Entangling Net and Crab/Squid Pot) in Support to Seaweed Culture | Samahan Ng Mga Mangigisda Ng Pinitan (smp), Inc | 30 | 808,404.00 |
| 2024 | Tigaon | San Antonio | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association | 33 | 848,894.00 |
| 2025 | Bombon | San Jose (Pob.) | Catfish Culture in Pond | Bombon Fishpond Operators Association | 45 | 1,272,050.00 |
| 2025 | Buhi | Santa Isabel | Tilapia Culture in 1900 sqm Modified Cage in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Buhi Indigenous Peoples Farmers Fisherfolk Agriculture Cooperative | 19 | 1,861,380.00 |
| 2025 | Cabusao | Pandan | Non-motorized boat (30 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Samahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan | 42 | 1,499,500.00 |
| 2025 | Camaligan | Tarosanan | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Team Camaligan Hanapbuhay Association | 19 | 500,605.00 |
| 2025 | Gainza | Cagbunga | Fishing Gear (Freshwater Gillnet) | Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association | 21 | 302,200.00 |
| 2025 | Garchitorena | Mansangat | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Mansangat Farmers And Fishermen Association | 20 | 324,000.00 |
| 2025 | Goa | Gimaga | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Goa Fisherfolks And Farmers Association | 63 | 1,813,380.00 |
| 2025 | Libmanan | Tinalmud Nuevo | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Punto Azul Fisherfolk Organization | 30 | 1,435,080.00 |
| 2025 | Sagñay | Nato | Milkfish Culture in Pond | Sikap Parapangke Association | 46 | 1,654,550.00 |
| 2025 | San Fernando | Pinamasagan | Motorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | San Fernando Fisherfolk Association | 29 | 1,227,408.00 |
| 2025 | Siruma | Pinitan | Seaweed Culture | Samahan Ng Mangingisda Ng Pinitan Inc. | 34 | 210,000.00 |
| 2025 | Tigaon | San Antonio | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association | 42 | 1,644,130.00 |