Iloilo

Iloilo is a large province located in the southeastern part of Panay Island in Western Visayas. While Iloilo City serves as its capital and regional center, it is politically independent from the province, though often grouped with it for statistical purposes. Known for its rich history and cultural heritage, Iloilo boasts numerous Spanish-era sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Miag-ao Church. Its diverse geography includes fertile plains, mountains, and extensive coastlines, offering both agricultural bounty and picturesque islands and beaches, particularly in its northern parts like the Islas de Gigantes. The province is composed of 42 municipalities and one component city (Passi City), reflecting a blend of urban and rural communities.

Agricultural Sector

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Iloilo’s economy, with the province having the largest number of farms in Western Visayas. Palay (unhusked rice) is the dominant crop, making Iloilo the major source of rice in the region, accounting for about 47% of the total regional production. The province also produces significant amounts of corn, banana, and coconut. While facing challenges like the impact of the El Niño phenomenon and other weather disturbances, government interventions, such as the allocation of funds for hybrid and inbred rice propagation, aim to boost production and support farmers. The Department of Agriculture and the provincial government are actively working to establish agricultural management units and encourage new technologies to improve farming practices and increase efficiency.

 

 

 

Fisheries Sector

The fisheries sector in Iloilo is a vital source of livelihood for tens of thousands of families, but it is currently in dire straits. Reports indicate an alarming 42.1% decline in fisheries production from 2020 to 2023, marking the largest drop in decades and pushing output back to 1999 levels. This severe downturn is attributed to a combination of factors including overfishing, environmental degradation (pollution and habitat destruction), climate change (affecting fish reproduction), poor infrastructure, outdated technologies, and the lingering effects of the pandemic on supply chains and market demand. This decline not only impacts fisherfolk livelihoods but also poses a direct threat to food security due to reduced availability and rising prices of fish. Urgent and sustained action, focusing on sustainable practices, infrastructure investment, and climate resilience, is needed to revive this crucial sector.

Poverty Situation

The poverty situation in Iloilo province has shown a positive trend, with a notable decrease in poverty incidence. The poverty incidence among families in Iloilo dropped to 12.7% in 2023 from 14.5% in 2021. Similarly, for Iloilo City, the poverty incidence among families significantly decreased from 3.3% in 2021 to 2.3% in 2023, making it the lowest among major areas in Western Visayas. While these figures indicate a substantial improvement, it means that a portion of Ilonggo families still experience income levels below the poverty threshold, which for a family of five in Iloilo province was around PHP 13,933 per month in 2023. Government programs and economic activities contribute to this reduction, but continued efforts are necessary to further uplift vulnerable communities.

Project Profile

DA

The DA (Department of Agriculture) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) program is active in Iloilo, aiming to reduce poverty among marginalized farmers and fisherfolk. The program implements various food production, livelihood, marketing, and enterprise development projects. While specific project details for the general DA SAAD in Iloilo were not prominently available in the immediate search results, the DA-BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) SAAD component has significant activities in the province (detailed below). The DA SAAD program as a whole in Western Visayas, of which Iloilo is a part, focuses on empowering agri-fishery sectors with high poverty incidence by providing appropriate technology, financing, marketing, and other support services.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023BatadAlapascoCALAMANSI PRODUCTION BATAD, ILOILOMapinadayunon Rural Association30688,500.00
2023BatadBulak SurPINEAPPLE PRODUCTION BATAD, ILOILOAlapasco Bulak Sur Irrigators' Service Association Inc.301,274,500.00
2023BatadCabagohanCHICKEN EGG PRODUCTION IN BATAD, ILOILOCabagohan Farmers Association30537,000.00
2023BatadTapi-AnNATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTION IN BATAD, ILOILOTapi-an Farmers Association30534,300.00
2023BingawanGuinhulacanCORN PRODUCTION IN BINGAWAN, ILOILOGuinhulacan Farmers Association30548,000.00
2023BingawanPoblacionCORN AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN BINGAWAN, ILOILOSitio Maganhop Farmers Asssociation30799,400.00
2023BingawanPoblacionCHICKEN EGG PRODUCTION IN BINGAWAN, ILOILOPoblacion Bingawan Farmers Association30632,000.00
2023BingawanTubodNATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTION IN BINGAWAN, ILOILOTubod Farmers Association30457,500.00
2023San RafaelAripdipChicken Layer Egg Production in San Rafael, IloiloBarangay Aripdip Chicken Growers Associations30444,000.00
2023San RafaelPoscolonCALAMANSI PRODUCTION SAN RAFAEL, ILOILOBarangay Poscolon Calamansi Growers Association30505,300.00
2023San RafaelSan DionisioCALAMANSI PRODUCTION SAN RAFAEL, ILOILOBarangay San Dionisio Calamansi Growers Association30507,700.00
2024BatadAlapascoVegetable Production in support to Calamansi ProductionMapinadayunon Rural Association50567,200.00
2024BatadBulak SurNative Chicken ProductionBrgy. Bulak Sur Farmers Association50954,800.00
2024BatadCabagohanIn support to Chicken Layer Egg ProductionCabagohan Farmers Association50724,500.00
2024BatadTapi-AnVegetable Production In support to Native Chicken ProductionTapi-an Farmers Association501,598,500.00
2024BingawanGuinhulacanIn support to Corn ProductionGuinhulacan Farmers Association301,491,500.00
2024BingawanPoblacionIn support to Chicken Layer Egg ProductionPoblacion Bingawan Farmers Association50904,500.00
2024BingawanPoblacionIn Support to Hybrid Corn Yellow Corn and Lowland Vegetable ProductionSitio Maganhop Farmers Asssociation401,275,300.00
2024BingawanTubodIn Support to Native Chicken ProductionTubod Farmers Association50797,550.00
2024San RafaelAripdipIn support to Chicken Layer Egg ProductionBarangay Aripdip Chicken Growers Associations50662,500.00
2024San RafaelPoscolonVegetable Production Insupport to Calamansi ProductionBarangay Poscolon Calamansi Growers Association40746,100.00
2024San RafaelSan DionisioChicken Layer Insupport to Calamansi ProductionBarangay San Dionisio Calamansi Growers Association40862,700.00
2024San RafaelSan FlorentinoVegetable ProductionBarangay San Florentino Food Garden Association401,316,750.00
2025BatadAlapascoCalamansi and Vegetable Production Barangay Alapasco, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2025Mapinadayunon Rural Association50406,600.00
2025BatadBulak SurINSUPPORT TO PINEAPPLE PRODUCTION BATAD, ILOILOAlapasco Bulak Sur Irrigators' Service Association Inc.300.00
2025BatadBulak SurNative Chicken and Pineapple Production in Brgy. Bulak Sur, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2025Brgy. Bulak Sur Farmers Association35616,940.00
2025BatadCabagohanIn support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Barangay Cabagohan, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2025Cabagohan Farmers Association50770,320.00
2025BatadTapi-AnNative Chicken Production and Vegetable Production in Brgy. Tapi-an, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2025Tapi-an Farmers Association501,049,200.00
2025BingawanAgba-OVegetable ProductionAgba-o Crops And Livestock Farmers Association3075,500.00
2025BingawanGuinhulacanSupport to Native Chicken and Corn Production in Barangay Guinhulacan, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2025Guinhulacan Farmers Association451,207,870.00
2025BingawanInamyunganVegetable ProductionBarangay Inamyungan Farmers Association (bifa)3075,500.00
2025BingawanPoblacionIn Support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Brgy. Poblacion, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2025Poblacion Bingawan Farmers Association60695,320.00
2025BingawanPoblacionCorn and Vegetable Production in Sitio Maganhop, Brgy. Poblacion, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2025Sitio Maganhop Farmers Asssociation501,547,050.00
2025BingawanTubodSupport to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Tubod, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2025Tubod Farmers Association50702,500.00
2025San RafaelAripdipIn support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Brgy. Aripdip, San Rafael, Iloilo for FY 2025Barangay Aripdip Chicken Growers Associations45820,320.00
2025San RafaelBagacayVegetable ProductionHugpong Sang Mga Mangunguma Sang Bagacay Farmers Association30225,750.00
2025San RafaelPoscolonCalamansi and Vegetable Production in Barangay Poscolon, San Rafael, Iloilo for FY 2025Barangay Poscolon Calamansi Growers Association30904,900.00
2025San RafaelSan DionisioIn Support to Chicken Layer and Calamansi Production in Barangay San Dionisio, San Rafael, Iloilo for FY 2Barangay San Dionisio Calamansi Growers Association30871,320.00
2025San RafaelSan FlorentinoChicken Layer Production in Support to Vegetable Production In Brgy. San Florentino, San Rafael. Iloilo for FY 2025Barangay San Florentino Food Garden Association451,521,080.00
2026BatadAlapascoCalamansi and Vegetable Production Barangay Alapasco, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2026Mapinadayunon Rural Association40417,400.00
2026BatadBulak SurPineapple and Vegetable Production in Brgy. Bulak Sur, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2026Alapasco Bulak Sur Irrigators' Service Association Inc.30417,400.00
2026BatadBulak SurNative Chicken Production in Brgy. Bulak Sur, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2026Brgy. Bulak Sur Farmers Association28884,760.00
2026BatadCabagohanIn support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Barangay Cabagohan, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2026Cabagohan Farmers Association50677,850.00
2026BatadTapi-AnNative Chicken Production and Vegetable Production in Brgy. Tapi-an, Batad, Iloilo for FY 2026Tapi-an Farmers Association26585,450.00
2026BingawanAgba-OVegetable Production in Brgy. Agba-o, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2026Agba-o Crops And Livestock Farmers Association31772,350.00
2026BingawanGuinhulacanSupport to Native Chicken and Corn Production in Barangay Guinhulacan, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2026Guinhulacan Farmers Association451,689,150.00
2026BingawanInamyunganVegetable Production in Brgy. Inamyungan, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2026Barangay Inamyungan Farmers Association31585,400.00
2026BingawanPoblacionCorn and Vegetable Production in Sitio Maganhop, Brgy. Poblacion, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2026Sitio Maganhop Farmers Asssociation501,294,450.00
2026BingawanPoblacionIn Support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Brgy. Poblacion, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2026Poblacion Bingawan Farmers Association601,007,250.00
2026BingawanTubodSupport to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Tubod, Bingawan, Iloilo for FY 2026Tubod Farmers Association50865,850.00
2026San RafaelAripdipIn support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Brgy. Aripdip, San Rafael, Iloilo for FY 2026Barangay Aripdip Chicken Growers Associations45969,350.00
2026San RafaelBagacayVegetable Production in Brgy. Bagacay, San Rafael, Iloilo for FY 2026Hugpong Sang Mga Mangunguma Sang Bagacay Farmers Association30128,000.00
2026San RafaelPoscolonCalamansi and Vegetable Production in Barangay Poscolon, San Rafael, Iloilo for FY 2026Barangay Poscolon Calamansi Growers Association25192,800.00
2026San RafaelSan DionisioIn Support to Chicken Layer and Calamansi Production in Barangay San Dionisio, San Rafael, Iloilo for FY 2026Barangay San Dionisio Calamansi Growers Association30775,650.00
2026San RafaelSan FlorentinoChicken Layer Production in Support to Vegetable Production In Brgy. San Florentino, San Rafael. Iloilo for FY 2026Barangay San Florentino Food Garden Association451,667,850.00

BFAR

The BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) Project is actively providing crucial support to fisherfolk communities in Iloilo. A key aspect of their work involves Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), as demonstrated by an activity in Barangay Igbon, Concepcion, Iloilo in April 2024. This approach ensures that projects are community-driven and address the specific needs of local fisherfolk. BFAR SAAD has allocated a significant budget, with DA-BFAR Region 6 allocating PHP 28 million for its 2025 SAAD Program implementation across Western Visayas, including Iloilo. The program focuses on providing livelihood packages, conducting market-related trainings, and implementing initiatives in aquaculture (like fish culture in tanks and tilapia culture in ponds) and capture fisheries (provision of fishing gears and post-harvest kits). These efforts aim to boost fish production, enhance income opportunities, and foster sustainable practices within Iloilo’s fishing communities.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023BatadBinon-AnFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Northern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association6423,840.00
2023BatadBinon-AnFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Southern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association26400,845.00
2023CarlesGuinticganFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Guinticgan Gagmay Na Mangingisda Association36735,400.00
2023ConcepcionIgbonFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaBarangay Igbon Kasagan Association (bigkas)601,166,200.00
2024BatadBinon-AnFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Southern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association19607,200.00
2024BatadBinon-AnFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Northern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association6140,120.00
2024CarlesGuinticganFishing Gear (Fishing Pots)Guinticgan Gagmay Na Mangingisda Association25607,820.00
2024ConcepcionIgbonFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Brgy. Igbon Kasagan Fisherfolk Association55757,200.00
2024ConcepcionPoblacionFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Bagong Samahan Fisherfolk Association392,459,770.00
2025BatadBinon-AnMotorized Boat (20 footer)Northern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association6565,923.00
2025BatadBinon-AnMotorized Boat (20 footer)Southern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association17565,923.00
2025CarlesGuinticganMotorized Boat (20 footer)Guinticgan Gagmay Na Mangingisda Association221,300,124.00
2025ConcepcionIgbonFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet, Drift Gillnet)Brgy. Igbon Kasagan Fisherfolk Association542,878,960.00
2025ConcepcionPoblacionMotorized Boat (20 footer)Bagong Samahan Fisherfolk Association40362,771.00
2026BatadBinon-AnMotorized Boat (20 footer)Northern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association151,061,646.00
2026BatadBinon-AnMotorized Boat (20 footer)Southern Binon-an Fisherfolk Association161,061,646.00
2026CarlesGuinticganMotorized Boat (20 footer)Guinticgan Gagmay Na Mangingisda Association361,197,231.00
2026ConcepcionIgbonFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Brgy. Igbon Kasagan Fisherfolk Association60458,610.00
2026ConcepcionPoblacionMilkfish Culture in Bamboo CageBagong Samahan Fisherfolk Association401,052,917.00