Sorsogon

Sorsogon is a province located at the southeastern tip of the Bicol Peninsula in Luzon, Philippines. Covering a land area of 2,119.01 square kilometers. The province comprises 14 municipalities and one component city, Sorsogon City, which serves as the provincial capital and the largest urban center. 

Its geography is characterized by an irregular topography, featuring mountains in the northeastern and southeastern parts that slope down to small valleys and plains. Notably, Mount Bulusan, an active volcano and the province’s highest peak, sits at the center of five municipalities. Except for Irosin, all other municipalities, including Sorsogon City, are situated along the province’s 336-kilometer coastline, which boasts numerous beaches facing the Pacific Ocean and other significant bodies of water like the Albay Gulf, Sorsogon Bay, and the San Bernardino Strait. Sorsogon acts as a crucial gateway between Luzon and the Visayas islands through its Roll-on/Roll-off ferry terminals in Matnog, Pilar, and Bulan. The province’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, with significant production in rice, coconut, and abaca, alongside fishing due to its extensive coastline. Tourism is also gaining prominence, with attractions like Bulusan Mountain Lake, whale shark encounters in Donsol, and various beaches and hot springs drawing visitors. The culture is predominantly Bicolano, with local festivals and traditions

Agricultural Sector

The agricultural sector in Sorsogon plays a significant role in the province’s economy, although recent data indicates some challenges. The total production of other crops in Sorsogon experienced a substantial decrease compared to the same period in 2023, with non-food and industrial crops, fruit crops, and vegetables and root crops all showing declines. Despite these challenges, agriculture remains a key source of livelihood for many in Sorsogon, with ongoing efforts by the government to support farmers through various programs and initiatives, including promoting sustainable practices and providing assistance for recovery from weather-related impacts.

Fisheries Sector

The fisheries sector in Sorsogon, while benefiting from the province’s extensive coastline and access to rich marine waters, is currently facing significant challenges, it indicates a substantial decline in the overall fisheries production in the Bicol region, which includes Sorsogon. Although specific figures solely for Sorsogon’s fisheries production during this period weren’t detailed in the immediate results, the general trend in the region points towards difficulties. Historically, Sorsogon’s waters, influenced by the Kuroshio Current, have supported diverse marine life. However, concerns regarding overfishing and potentially unsustainable practices have been noted as potential factors impacting fish stocks. Despite government support for fisherfolk through various programs, ensuring the adoption of sustainable management practices and combating illegal fishing remain crucial for the long-term viability of the sector and the livelihoods of the coastal communities in Sorsogon. Efforts to promote aquaculture, such as seaweed and tilapia farming initiatives supported by BFAR SAAD, indicate a move towards diversifying and strengthening the fisheries sector in the province.

Poverty Situation

The poverty situation in Sorsogon presents a concerning trend, as indicated by the 2023 full-year poverty statistics. The poverty incidence among families in Sorsogon rose significantly to 28.4 percent in 2023, a notable increase from 21.7 percent in 2021 and 19.6 percent in 2018. This means that over a quarter of families in the province had incomes below the poverty threshold, which was estimated at PHP 14,321 per month for a family of five in 2023, higher than the Bicol Region’s average. Consequently, the number of poor families in Sorsogon increased to 53.35 thousand in 2023. Similarly, the subsistence incidence among families, or those unable to meet basic food needs, also increased to 6.80 percent. These figures unfortunately position Sorsogon as having the highest poverty incidence among families in the Bicol Region as of 2023, underscoring the significant economic challenges faced by a substantial portion of its population.

Project Profile

DA

The DA-SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) program is actively working in Sorsogon to address poverty and enhance the livelihoods of marginalized farmers and fisherfolk. As part of the Bicol Region, Sorsogon has been identified as a priority province for SAAD interventions.

The SAAD program in Sorsogon targets various municipalities, including Barcelona, Bulusan, Castilla, Matnog,  and Prieto Diaz, indicating a broad reach across the province to support the most marginalized agricultural and fishing communities. The overall goal is to increase food production, establish sustainable community-based enterprises, and provide the necessary support services to uplift the socio-economic status of the beneficiaries in Sorsogon.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023BarcelonaFabricaPoultry ProductionFabrica Poultry Farmers Association25413,400.00
2023BarcelonaSan AntonioRice Production PackageSan Antonio Farmers Association27499,750.00
2023BarcelonaSanta LourdesVegetable ProductionBagong Barrio Vegetable Farmers Association27461,575.00
2023BulusanSan IsidroPoultry ProductionSan Isidro Iraya Poultry Association25413,400.00
2023BulusanSan RoqueOrganic Agriculture ProductionSan Roque Natural Farming Association25269,053.57
2023BulusanTinampoVegetable ProductionTinampo Farmers Association24461,575.00
2023CastillaMonte CarmeloRice Production PackageSamahan Ng Mga Magsasaka Ng Montecarmelo31499,750.00
2023CastillaSan IsidroVegetable ProductionSan Isidro Vegetable Farmers Association26461,575.00
2023CastillaSan VicenteCorn and Cassava ProductionSan Vicente Corn, Cassava And Crop Farmers Association26532,750.00
2023MatnogBoloCorn and Cassava ProductionBolo Rural Workers Association24532,750.00
2023MatnogPoropandanVegetable ProductionSamahang Magsasaka Ng Poropandan25461,575.00
2023MatnogSinang-AtanPoultry ProductionSinang-atan Farmers Association25413,400.00
2023Prieto DiazQuidologVegetable ProductionTindog Quidolog Vegetable Farmers Association25461,575.00
2023Prieto DiazSan JuanRice Production PackageBarangay San Juan Rice Farmers Association25499,750.00
2023Prieto DiazUlagOrganic Agriculture ProductionOrganikong Gulayan Kan Grupong Ulagnon25269,053.57
2024BarcelonaFabricaPoultry ProductionFabrica Poultry Farmers Association25694,516.24
2024BarcelonaSan AntonioPoultry ProductionSan Antonio Farmers Association25684,331.62
2024BarcelonaSanta LourdesVegetable ProductionBagong Barrio Vegetable Farmers Association261,112,800.00
2024BulusanSan IsidroPoultry ProductionSan Isidro Iraya Poultry Association23724,516.24
2024BulusanSan RoqueOrganic Agriculture ProductionSan Roque Natural Farming Association25988,000.00
2024BulusanTinampoVegetable ProductionTinampo Farmers Association261,112,800.00
2024CastillaCanjelaPoultry ProductionCanjela Poultry Farmers Association25714,331.62
2024CastillaSan IsidroVegetable ProductionSan Isidro Vegetable Farmers Association261,112,800.00
2024CastillaSan VicenteCorn and Cassava ProductionSan Vicente Corn, Cassava And Crop Farmers Association301,724,000.00
2024MatnogBoloCorn and Cassava ProductionBolo Rural Workers Association251,124,000.00
2024MatnogPoropandanVegetable ProductionSamahang Magsasaka Ng Poropandan271,082,800.00
2024MatnogSinang-AtanPoultry ProductionSinang-atan Farmers Association26724,516.24
2024Prieto DiazQuidologVegetable ProductionTindog Quidolog Vegetable Farmers Association221,082,800.00
2024Prieto DiazSan JuanPoultry ProductionBarangay San Juan Rice Farmers Association24684,331.62
2024Prieto DiazUlagOrganic Agriculture ProductionOrganikong Gulayan Kan Grupong Ulagnon271,018,000.00
2025BarcelonaFabricaPoultry ProductionFabrica Poultry Farmers Association25938,000.00
2025BarcelonaSan AntonioPoultry ProductionSan Antonio Farmers Association251,033,000.00
2025BarcelonaSanta LourdesVegetable ProductionBagong Barrio Vegetable Farmers Association26983,500.00
2025BulusanSan IsidroPoultry ProductionSan Isidro Iraya Poultry Association23938,000.00
2025BulusanSan RoqueOrganic Agriculture ProductionSan Roque Natural Farming Association251,063,000.00
2025BulusanTinampoVegetable ProductionTinampo Farmers Association26835,500.00
2025CastillaCanjelaPoultry ProductionCanjela Poultry Farmers Association251,033,000.00
2025CastillaSan IsidroVegetable ProductionSan Isidro Vegetable Farmers Association262,053,500.00
2025CastillaSan VicenteCorn and Cassava ProductionSan Vicente Corn, Cassava And Crop Farmers Association301,998,000.00
2025MatnogBoloCorn and Cassava ProductionBolo Rural Workers Association251,347,000.00
2025MatnogPoropandanVegetable ProductionSamahang Magsasaka Ng Poropandan27835,500.00
2025MatnogSinang-AtanPoultry ProductionSinang-atan Farmers Association26938,000.00
2025Prieto DiazQuidologVegetable ProductionTindog Quidolog Vegetable Farmers Association22898,500.00
2025Prieto DiazSan JuanPoultry ProductionBarangay San Juan Rice Farmers Association241,033,000.00
2025Prieto DiazUlagOrganic Agriculture ProductionOrganikong Gulayan Kan Grupong Ulagnon271,063,000.00
2026BarcelonaFabricaProject 1. Poultry Production Package - Barcelona, SorsogonFabrica Poultry Farmers Association251,461,100.00
2026BarcelonaSan AntonioProject 14. Poultry Production Package - Barcelona, SorsogonSan Antonio Farmers Association261,462,900.00
2026BarcelonaSanta LourdesProject 3. Vegetable Production Package - Barcelona, SorsogonBagong Barrio Vegetable Farmers Association25670,000.00
2026BulusanSan IsidroProject 3. Poultry Production Package - Bulusan, SorsogonSan Isidro Iraya Poultry Association251,934,000.00
2026BulusanSan RoqueProject 22. Organic Agriculture Production Package - Bulusan, SorsogonSan Roque Natural Farming Association26456,000.00
2026BulusanTinampoProject 5. Vegetable Production Package - Bulusan, SorsogonTinampo Farmers Association26850,000.00
2026CastillaCanjelaProject 12. Poultry Production Package - Castilla, SorsogonCanjela Poultry Farmers Association251,779,000.00
2026CastillaSan IsidroProject 1. Vegetable Production Package - Castilla, SorsogonSan Isidro Vegetable Farmers Association241,877,500.00
2026CastillaSan VicenteProject 1. Corn and Cassava Production Package - Castilla, SorsogonSan Vicente Corn Ang Cassava Crop Farmers Association301,114,000.00
2026MatnogBoloProject 2. Corn and Cassava Production Package - Matnog, SorsogonBolo Rural Workers Association (brwa)28594,000.00
2026MatnogPoropandanProject 4. Vegetable Production Package - Matnog, SorsogonSamahang Magsasaka Ng Poropandan27925,000.00
2026MatnogSinang-AtanProject 2. Poultry Production Package - Matnog, SorsogonSinang-atan Farmers Association281,834,000.00
2026Prieto DiazQuidologProject 2. Vegetable Production Package - Prieto Diaz, SorsogonTindog Quidolog Vegetable Farmers Association24775,000.00
2026Prieto DiazSan JuanProject 13. Poultry Production Package - Prieto Diaz, SorsogonBarangay San Juan Rice Farmers Association261,779,000.00
2026Prieto DiazUlagProject 21. Organic Agriculture Production Package - Prieto Diaz, SorsogonOrganikong Gulayon Kang Grupong Ulagnon27456,000.00

BFAR

The BFAR-SAAD Project has a significant presence in Sorsogon, actively working to improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk communities. Recent initiatives demonstrate the program’s commitment to providing essential resources and support. BFAR SAAD Bicol distributed 70,000 tilapia fingerlings to fisherfolk associations in Bulusan and Irosin, aiming to enhance aquaculture production and diversify income sources within these communities. Additionally, a training program on oyster sauce processing was conducted in Castilla, equipping local oyster harvesters with value-adding skills to increase the profitability of their catch. These efforts align with the broader goals of the BFAR SAAD program, which prioritizes marginalized fishing communities and provides targeted interventions encompassing social preparation, livelihood support through the provision of inputs and equipment, and enterprise development to foster long-term sustainability and economic resilience in the fisheries sector of Sorsogon. The program’s activities reach various municipalities across the province, indicating a comprehensive approach to address the needs of vulnerable fisherfolk.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023BarcelonaPoblacion NorteNon-Motorized Boat (20 footer)Poblacion Fisherfolk Association62924,000.00
2023BulusanMabuhay (Pob.)Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaDapdap Sabang Milabigan Fisherfolk Association531,246,500.00
2023CastillaPoblacionPost-Harvest Materials and EquipmentPoblacion United Fisherfolk Association22546,925.00
2023IrosinCarriedoTilapia Culture in PondCarriedo Milabigan Farmers And Fisherfolk Association15385,058.00
2023Santa MagdalenaBarangay Poblacion IiMilkfish Culture in PondSta. Magdalena Fisherfolk Association291,169,118.00
2024BarcelonaPoblacion NorteNon-motorized boat (21 Footer)Poblacion Fisherfolk Association681,100,000.00
2024BulusanDapdap (Pob.)Tilapia Culture in Pond in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaDapdap-sabang-mabuhay Fisherfolk Association52792,100.00
2024CastillaPoblacionFishing Gear and Paraphernalia in Support to Post-Harvest Materials and EquipmentPoblacion United Fisherfolk Association (pufa)18957,600.00
2024IrosinCarriedoTilapia Culture in PondCarriedo Milabigan Farmers And Fisherfolk Association (camiffa)15500,138.00
2024Santa MagdalenaBarangay Poblacion IMilkfish Culture in PondSta. Magdalena Fisherfolk Association (smfa)221,383,023.00
2025BarcelonaPoblacion NorteFish Polyculture in Pond in Support to Capture FisheriesPoblacion Fisherfolk Association Of Barcelona691,526,050.00
2025BulusanMabuhay (Pob.)Tilapia Culture in Pond in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaDapdap-sabang-mabuhay Fisherfolks Association54668,410.00
2025CastillaPoblacionPost-Harvest Materials and EquipmentPoblacion United Fisherfolk Association19726,650.00
2025IrosinCarriedoTilapia Culture in PondCarriedo Milabigan Farmers And Fisherfolks Association15593,990.00
2025Santa MagdalenaBarangay Poblacion IMilkfish Culture in PondSta. Magdalena Fisherfolk Association211,534,150.00