Guimaras

Guimaras is an island province situated in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, nestled between Panay and Negros Islands in the Panay Gulf. Covering a land area of approximately 611.87 square kilometers, it comprises five municipalities: Jordan (the capital), Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag . Formerly a sub-province of Iloilo, Guimaras became an independent province in 1992. The island’s terrain is mostly hilly with small coastal plains. As of the 2020 Census, Guimaras had a population of 187,842, resulting in a population density of about 307 inhabitants per square kilometer.

The province’s economy is predominantly driven by agriculture, with mango production being particularly noteworthy. Guimaras is renowned for its sweet mangoes, often referred to as the “mango capital of the Philippines,” and celebrates this heritage annually through the Manggahan Festival every May . In 2023, the province’s economy grew by 7.9%, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributing 29.0% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Tourism also plays a significant role in Guimaras’s economy, attracting visitors to its pristine beaches, scenic landscapes, and cultural festivals. Overall, Guimaras combines agricultural richness, cultural vibrancy, and economic potential, making it a unique and dynamic province in the Philippines.

Agricultural Sector

In 2023, Guimaras’ agricultural sector remained a cornerstone of its economy, contributing 29.0% to the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this significant share, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) sector experienced a slight contraction of 0.7% compared to the previous year, influenced by regional challenges that affected overall production. Mango production continued to be a flagship industry, with Guimaras renowned for producing some of the sweetest mangoes globally. In 2023, the province anticipated a harvest of up to 21,000 metric tons, bolstered by favorable dry weather conditions. 

Fisheries Sector

In 2024, Guimaras’ inland municipal fisheries sector experienced an 8.82% decline in production, recording 57.06 metric tons compared to 62.58 metric tons in 2023. This downturn was accompanied by a significant 31.64% decrease in the sector’s value, which fell from PHP 8.45 million in 2023 to PHP 5.78 million in 2024. Despite the overall decline, certain species exhibited notable production increases. Tilapia remained the top contributor, with a production volume of 7.38 metric tons, accounting for 12.93% of the total inland output. Spadefish production more than doubled, reaching 4.90 metric tons, while mullet production increased by 31.44% to 4.39 metric tons. These figures highlight the challenges faced by Guimaras’ inland fisheries sector, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to support sustainable practices and bolster the livelihoods of local fisherfolk.

Poverty Situation

In 2023, Guimaras achieved a significant reduction in poverty levels, marking a notable improvement in the province’s socio-economic landscape. The poverty incidence among families decreased to 3.8%, down from 7.3% in 2021—a 47.9% reduction—indicating that approximately 4 out of every 100 families were living below the poverty threshold. Similarly, the poverty incidence among the population declined to 6.5% in 2023 from 10.0% in 2021, translating to about 12,380 individuals living below the poverty line, a decrease of 6,360 individuals from 2021. The annual per capita poverty threshold in Guimaras was estimated at PHP 30,847 in 2023, meaning a family of five needed at least PHP 12,853 monthly to meet basic food and non-food needs. The income gap, representing the average shortfall of the poor’s income from the poverty threshold, narrowed to 9.1% in 2023 from 15.8% in 2021, indicating a reduction in income disparity

Project Profile

DA

The Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program has been actively supporting marginalized farmers and fisherfolk in Guimaras through various livelihood initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation and sustainable agricultural development. The associations in Guimaras received assistance in enhancing their production capabilities, contributing to both economic growth and food security in the region the SAAD Program also provided them with the necessary tools, training, and support to sustain and grow their agricultural ventures. In Guimaras, these initiatives align with the province’s broader goals of enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable livelihoods. By focusing on community-based enterprises and capacity-building, the DA-SAAD Program contributes significantly to the socio-economic advancement of the province’s rural communities.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023San LorenzoCabanoCORN PRODUCTION IN SAN LORENZO, GUIMARASSan Lorenzo-south Corn And Cassava Farmers Association301,237,500.00
2023San LorenzoConstanciaVEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN SAN LORENZO, GUIMARASSitio Napuong Small Farmers Association301,147,300.00
2023San LorenzoM. ChavezEGG PRODUCTION IN SAN LORENZO, GUIMARASUnited Fisherfolks And Farmers Association30536,000.00
2023San LorenzoTamborongCORN AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SAN LORENZO, GUIMARASTamborong Farmers Association30874,050.00
2024San LorenzoCabanoIn support to Corn ProductionSan Lorenzo-south Corn And Cassava Farmers Association601,712,000.00
2024San LorenzoConstanciaIn Support to Vegetable ProductionSitio Napuong Small Farmers Association301,140,300.00
2024San LorenzoM. ChavezIn support to Chicken Layer Egg ProductionUnited Fisherfolks And Farmers Association40887,000.00
2024San LorenzoTamborongIn Support to Hybrid Corn and Vegetable ProductionTamborong Farmers Association50975,050.00
2025San LorenzoCabanoNative Chicken Production In Support to Corn Production in Brgy. Cabano, San Lorenzo, Guimaras for FY 2025San Lorenzo-south Corn And Cassava Farmers Association60981,020.00
2025San LorenzoConstanciaSupport to Vegetable Production in Sitio Napu-ong, Brgy. Constancia, San Lorenzo, Guimaras FY 2025Sitio Napuong Small Farmers Association30755,350.00
2025San LorenzoM. ChavezIn support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Brgy. M. Chavez, San Lorenzo, Guimaras for FY 2025United Fisherfolks And Farmers Association30685,320.00
2025San LorenzoTamborongCorn and Vegetable Production in Brgy. Tamborong, San Lorenzo, GuimarasTamborong Farmers Association50634,800.00
2026San LorenzoCabanoNative Chicken Production In Support to Corn Production in Brgy. Cabano, San Lorenzo, Guimaras for FY 2026San Lorenzo South Corn And Cassava Farmers Association601,695,690.00
2026San LorenzoConstanciaSupport to Vegetable Production in Sitio Napu-ong, Brgy. Constancia, San Lorenzo, Guimaras for FY 2026Sitio Napu-ong Small Farmers Association28256,160.00
2026San LorenzoM. ChavezIn support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Brgy. M. Chavez, San Lorenzo, Guimaras for FY 2026United Fisherfolks And Farmers Association33947,850.00
2026San LorenzoTamborongCorn and Vegetable Production in Brgy. Tamborong, San Lorenzo, Guimaras for FY 2026Tamborong Farmers Association30942,650.00

BFAR

In Guimaras, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, has been instrumental in enhancing the livelihoods of marginalized fisherfolk by providing comprehensive support aimed at sustainable fisheries development. Beyond infrastructure and equipment support, the program emphasizes capacity-building through training sessions and technical assistance. These efforts aim to equip beneficiaries with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their fisheries enterprises effectively, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience within the community. Overall, BFAR-SAAD’s initiatives in Guimaras reflect a holistic approach to fisheries development, combining resource provision, infrastructure development, and capacity-building to empower local fisherfolk and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023San LorenzoM. ChavezFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Mchavez Salt Producers Association241,220,970.00
2024San LorenzoM. ChavezPost-Harvest Equipment/MaterialsM. Chavez Salt Producers Association24965,690.00
2025San LorenzoM. ChavezMotorized Boat (20 footer)M. Chavez Salt Producers Association231,293,067.00
2026San LorenzoM. ChavezMilkfish in Cage CultureM. Chavez Salt Producers Association231,032,950.00