Negros Occidental
Negros Occidental occupies the northwestern half of the large island of Negros in the Western Visayas region, with Bacolod City serving as its capital. While Bacolod City is geographically located within the province, it is a highly urbanized city and politically independent. Known as the “Sugarbowl of the Philippines,” Negros Occidental produces more than half of the nation’s sugar output, making the sugar industry the lifeblood of its economy. The province is also characterized by its extensive agricultural lands, the majestic Mount Kanlaon volcano, and a rich historical and cultural heritage reflected in its numerous ancestral houses, particularly in Silay City. With 19 municipalities and 13 cities (including Bacolod), it has the most chartered cities among all provinces in the Philippines. Hiligaynon is the primary spoken language, and the vibrant MassKara Festival in Bacolod City is a major cultural highlight.
Agricultural Sector
Agriculture remains the core of Negros Occidental’s economy, with a vast agricultural land area of over 540,000 hectares. The province is predominantly known as the “Sugarbowl of the Philippines,” contributing over 60% of the country’s total sugar production, and the sugar industry directly supports a large portion of its population. Beyond sugar, Negros Occidental is also recognized as the “organic agriculture capital of the Philippines,” leading the country in organic production with over 16,000 hectares devoted to organic farming. Other significant agricultural products include rice (palay), bananas, cassava, and mangoes. While the sector is vital, it faces challenges such as fluctuating global sugar prices, susceptibility to weather disturbances like typhoons and droughts, and the ongoing need for modern farming technologies and diversified crops to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods for its large farming community.
Fisheries Sector
The fisheries sector in Negros Occidental faces a complex situation, marked by both a significant coastal population and recent declines in certain sub-sectors. While the province has a substantial coastline and a large number of municipal and commercial fisherfolk, recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicates a significant drop in aquaculture production (down 49.8%) and inland municipal fisheries (down 40.9%) in 2023 compared to 2022. However, commercial fisheries in Negros Occidental saw an increase of 10.6% during the same period. Despite some positive movements in commercial fishing, the overall trend in aquaculture and inland fisheries highlights challenges such as declining fish catch, potentially due to overfishing and climate change impacts like rising sea temperatures. Efforts are needed to address these declines and support sustainable fishing practices to ensure food supply and the livelihoods of the many families dependent on this sector.
Poverty Situation
The poverty situation in Negros Occidental has shown a concerning increase in recent years. The poverty incidence among the population rose from 19.3% in 2021 to 25.7% in 2023. This means that roughly one-fourth of the province’s population is considered poor. For the first semester of 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported about 1.12 million poor individuals in Negros Occidental, which was the highest number of poor individuals in the Western Visayas region. While Bacolod City, the capital, has a lower poverty incidence, the significant number of poor individuals in the province as a whole underscores persistent socio-economic challenges, often linked to the volatility of the dominant sugar industry and other factors affecting rural livelihoods.
Project Profile
DA
The DA (Department of Agriculture) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) program is actively implemented in Negros Occidental, targeting the province’s marginalized farmers and fisherfolk. As a priority area, SAAD provides various interventions, including the provision of agricultural inputs, livestock, and capacity-building training. For instance, in April 2025, DA SAAD Western Visayas conducted Action Planning and proper meeting protocols workshops for Farmers Associations in barangays of La Castellana and Moises Padilla, preparing them for future projects. Earlier initiatives included the distribution of free-range native chicken to farmers’ associations in municipalities like Calatrava and Moises Padilla, aimed at augmenting their income. These projects are designed to improve local agricultural productivity and alleviate poverty by empowering underprivileged communities through sustainable livelihood opportunities in the farming sector.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | La Castellana | Camandag | CHICKEN LAYER EGG PRODUCTION IN LA CASTELLANA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | Hacienda Agho Camandag Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (hagcarba) | 30 | 703,000.00 |
| 2023 | La Castellana | Sag-Ang | NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTION IN LA CASTELLANA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | Mandayao Gomez Farmers And Workers Association | 30 | 444,300.00 |
| 2023 | La Castellana | Talaptap | LOWLAND ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION LA CASTELLANA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | Mainuswagon Nga Asosasyon Nga May Gabay Nga Handum Nga Ipadayon Nga Maghimakas Agud Maangkon Ang Kahilwayan Sa Palangabuhi-an Kag Duta Nga Aguman Sang Taga Talaptap (maghimakas-ta) | 30 | 1,147,700.00 |
| 2023 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Barangay 6 | CHICKEN LAYER EGG PRODUCTION IN MOISES PADILLA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | Grupo Ka Manug Sagod Sang Baboy Sa Moises Padilla | 30 | 637,000.00 |
| 2023 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Guinpana-An | NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTION IN MOISES PADILLA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | Kaunlaran Sa Sitio Can-awi Farmers And Farmworkers Association (ka Si Caffa) | 30 | 656,000.00 |
| 2023 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Odiong | CHICKEN LAYER EGG PRODUCTION IN MOISES PADILLA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | Minahan Hog Raiser Association (mihora) | 30 | 635,000.00 |
| 2023 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Quintin Remo | PEANUT PRODUCTION MOISES PADILLA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | Kaisahan Sang Mga Mangunguma, Kag Mamumugon Sa Barangay Quintin Remo | 30 | 1,258,500.00 |
| 2024 | La Castellana | Cabacungan | Native Chicken Production | So. Bungyod Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 40 | 832,550.00 |
| 2024 | La Castellana | Camandag | In Support to Native Chicken Production | Hacienda Agho Camandag Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (hagcarba) | 50 | 842,550.00 |
| 2024 | La Castellana | Sag-Ang | In Support to Native Chicken | Mandayao Gomez Farmers And Workers Association | 40 | 1,126,550.00 |
| 2024 | La Castellana | Talaptap | In Support to Lowland Organic Vegetable Production | Mainuswagon Nga Asosasyon Nga May Gabay Nga Handum Nga Ipadayon Nga Maghimakas Agud Maangkon Ang Kahilwayan Sa Palangabuhi-an Kag Duta Nga Aguman Sang Taga Talaptap (maghimakas-ta) | 50 | 1,477,000.00 |
| 2024 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Barangay 6 | In Support Chicken Layer Production | Grupo Ka Manug Sagod Sang Baboy Sa Moises Padilla | 40 | 1,104,000.00 |
| 2024 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Guinpana-An | In Support to Native Chicken Production | Kaunlaran Sa Sitio Can-awi Farmers And Farmworkers Association (ka Si Caffa) | 40 | 737,550.00 |
| 2024 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Odiong | In Support Chicken Layer Production | Minahan Hog Raiser Association (mihora) | 40 | 1,094,000.00 |
| 2024 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Quintin Remo | In Support Peanut Production | Kaisahan Sang Mga Mangunguma, Kag Mamumugon Sa Barangay Quintin Remo | 40 | 1,221,500.00 |
| 2025 | La Castellana | Cabacungan | In Support to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental for FY 2025 | So. Bungyod Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 40 | 619,930.00 |
| 2025 | La Castellana | Camandag | In Support to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Camandag, La Castellana, Neg. Occ. for FY 2025 | Hacienda Agho Camandag Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (hagcarba) | 45 | 754,430.00 |
| 2025 | La Castellana | Sag-Ang | In Support to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Sag-ang, La Castellana, Neg. Occ. for FY 2025 | Mandayao Gomez Farmers And Workers Association | 35 | 648,180.00 |
| 2025 | La Castellana | Talaptap | Support to Lowland Organic Vegetable Production in Brgy. Talaptap, La Castellana, Neg. Occ. FY 2025 | Mainuswagon Nga Asosasyon Nga May Gabay Nga Handum Nga Ipadayon Nga Maghimakas Agud Maangkon Ang Kahilwayan Sa Palangabuhi-an Kag Duta Nga Aguman Sang Taga Talaptap (maghimakas-ta) | 50 | 780,250.00 |
| 2025 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Barangay 6 | In Support Chicken Layer Production in Brgy. 6, Moises Padilla, Neg. Occ. for FY 2025 | Grupo Ka Manug Sagod Sang Baboy Sa Moises Padilla | 30 | 844,100.00 |
| 2025 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Guinpana-An | In Support to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Guinpana-an, Moises Padilla, Neg. Occ. For FY 2025 | Kaunlaran Sa Sitio Can-awi Farmers And Farmworkers Association (ka Si Caffa) | 28 | 548,180.00 |
| 2025 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Odiong | In support to Chicken Layer Egg Production in Brgy. Odiong, Moises Padilla, Neg. Occ. for FY 2025 | Minahan Hog Raiser Association (mihora) | 30 | 978,100.00 |
| 2025 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Quintin Remo | Peanut Production and Native Chicken in Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Neg. Occ. for FY 2025 | Kaisahan Sang Mga Mangunguma, Kag Mamumugon Sa Barangay Quintin Remo | 40 | 686,500.00 |
| 2026 | La Castellana | Cabacungan | In Support to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Cabacungan | So. Bungyod Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 36 | 186,750.00 |
| 2026 | La Castellana | Camandag | In Support to Native Chicken Production in Brgy. Camandag | Hacienda Agho Camandag Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 51 | 78,350.00 |
| 2026 | La Castellana | Lalagsan | Chicken Layer Egg Production Project - La Castellana, Negros Occidental | Sitio Baclayan Barangay Lalagsan Farmers Association | 30 | 810,800.00 |
| 2026 | La Castellana | Masulog | Vegetable Production Project - La Castellana, Negros Occidental | Masulog Integrated Farmers And Farm Workers Association | 30 | 191,450.00 |
| 2026 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Inolingan | Corn Production Project - Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental | Paghugpong Sang Upper Coyaoyao Farmers Association | 30 | 441,400.00 |
| 2026 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Macagahay | Corn Production Project - Brgy. Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental | Sitio Tubod Integrated Farmers Association | 30 | 463,400.00 |
| 2026 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Odiong | In support to Chicken Layer Egg Production - Brgy. Odiong, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental | Minahan Hog Raiser Association | 28 | 182,950.00 |
| 2026 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Quintin Remo | Peanut Production and Native Chicken - Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental | Kaisahan Sang Mga Mangunguma, Kag Mamumugon Sa Barangay Quintin Remo | 48 | 427,020.00 |
BFAR
The BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) Project is a key component of the overall SAAD program in Negros Occidental, focusing specifically on supporting fisherfolk. BFAR SAAD in Western Visayas, which covers Negros Occidental, has allocated funds for its 2025 program implementation. Projects in the province include providing aquaculture livelihood packages, such as tilapia culture in ponds, fish pens, and fish cages, complete with fingerlings and feeds. They also extend support for capture fisheries through the provision of fishing nets, weighing scales, and crates as post-harvest inputs. In 2023, 38 livelihood projects were allocated to 47 group beneficiaries in the region, each including essential resources like fingerlings and fish feed. The program aims to empower fisherfolk to become “aquapreneurs” by not just providing assistance but also through comprehensive training and enterprise development to ensure the sustainability of their fishing endeavors.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Calatrava | Lemery | Fishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet) | Lemery Multipurpose Fisherfolk Association | 23 | 1,376,205.00 |
| 2023 | La Castellana | Cabacungan | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Dama Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 20 | 272,150.00 |
| 2023 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Magallon Cadre | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Magallon Fish Farming Association | 17 | 417,950.00 |
| 2024 | Calatrava | Lemery | Motorized Boat (20 footer) | Lemery Multi-purpose Fisherfolk Association | 23 | 1,397,360.00 |
| 2024 | La Castellana | Cabacungan | Integrated Farm, Intensive Tilapia Culture, and Fish Cart with Training | Dama Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 20 | 677,970.00 |
| 2024 | La Castellana | Cabacungan | Tilapia Culture in Tank | Dama Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 20 | 677,970.00 |
| 2024 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Magallon Cadre | Tilapia Hatchery, Tilapia Culture, Value-adding, Fish Stall and Carts with Training | Magallon Fish Farming Association | 17 | 688,130.00 |
| 2024 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Magallon Cadre | Village type Freshwater Hatchery ( Tilapia) | Magallon Fish Farming Association | 17 | 688,130.00 |
| 2025 | Calatrava | Lemery | Motorized Boat (20 footer) | Lemery Multi-purpose Fisherfolks Association | 28 | 1,379,945.00 |
| 2025 | La Castellana | Cabacungan | Catfish and Tilapia Culture in Pond | Dama Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association | 23 | 368,380.00 |
| 2025 | Moises Padilla (Magallon) | Magallon Cadre | Village type Freshwater Hatchery ( Tilapia) | Magallon Fish Farming Association | 20 | 1,029,363.00 |