Surigao Del Sur
Surigao del Sur is a province located on the eastern coast of Mindanao, part of the Caraga region. Its capital is Tandag City, while Bislig is its most populous city. The province stretches along the Philippine Sea to the east, making it highly exposed to the Pacific Ocean and characterized by a distinct rainy season from November to March. It is bounded by Surigao del Norte to the northwest and Davao Oriental to the southeast, with the Diwata Mountain Range forming its western boundary. Surigao del Sur is rich in natural resources, including mineral deposits, and is known for its natural attractions like Tinuy-an Falls and the Enchanted River. Its economy is primarily driven by agriculture, fishing, and increasingly, mining.
Agricultural Sector
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Surigao del Sur’s economy, with a significant portion of its land classified as alienable and disposable, suitable for various crops. Major crops cultivated include rice, coconut, and root crops. The province also has areas suited for tree and vine crops. While specific recent data on overall agricultural output for 2024-2025 is limited, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is actively supporting the sector. For instance, in May 2025, DA Caraga turned over a PHP 2.4 million Enhanced Kadiwa (E-Kadiwa) grant to a farmers’ cooperative in San Miguel, a municipality known as the “Rice Granary of Surigao del Sur,” to boost their palay business operations and marketing. This highlights ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen agricultural value chains.
Fisheries Sector
The fisheries sector is very important in Surigao del Sur, which historically has had the highest fisheries production in the Caraga region, contributing over 40% of the regional total in 2021. While the overall fisheries production in Caraga saw a decline in 2021, driven mainly by municipal fisheries and aquaculture, Surigao del Sur remained the top producer. Key species include seaweed, milkfish (bangus), and skipjack. Efforts are being made to address challenges, as seen with local fisherfolk groups taking action against illegal fishing to protect marine resources. The provincial government also supports the development of aquaculture, with projects focusing on tilapia and bangus production in fish cages and ponds.
Poverty Situation
Surigao del Sur faces a notable poverty situation. In 2021, the annual per capita poverty threshold was PHP 28,871. While specific poverty incidence figures for 2023 for the province alone are not readily available, the Caraga region (where Surigao del Sur is located) saw a significant 10% reduction in poverty incidence among the population in the first semester of 2023 compared to 2021. Despite this regional improvement, Surigao del Sur’s economy, driven by mining and quarrying, grew by 4.1% in 2023. However, poverty remains a concern, particularly given the province’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the need to ensure economic growth translates into inclusive benefits for all communities.
Project Profile
BFAR
he BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) Project is actively supporting fisherfolk in Surigao del Sur, with a focus on sustainable livelihood and enterprise development. BFAR Caraga, which covers Surigao del Sur, has been engaged in social preparation activities with numerous fisherfolk associations to prepare them for livelihood support. The program provides aquaculture livelihood packages, including tilapia in ponds, fish pens, and fish cages, along with essential inputs like fingerlings and feeds. They also offer post-harvest inputs such as fishing nets, weighing scales, and crates. The overall goal is to enhance fish production, improve the income of fisherfolk, and promote sustainable practices within the province’s fishing communities.
| Year Covered | Municipality | Barangay | Project | Association | Members | Input Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Barobo | Rizal | Seaweed Culture | Hunop Rizal Fishermen Association | 25 | 381,450.00 |
| 2023 | Lanuza | Habag | Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Nagkahiusang Gagmayng Mananagat Sa Pagbantay Sa Kadagatan | 25 | 750,000.00 |
| 2023 | Lanuza | Nurcia | Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Nurcia Fisherfolk Association | 25 | 750,000.00 |
| 2023 | Lanuza | Zone I (Pob.) | Milkfish Culture in Pond | Zone 1 B Fisherfolk Association | 24 | 496,470.00 |
| 2023 | Lingig | San Roque | Lobster Culture | United San Roque Fisherfolf Association | 25 | 743,886.00 |
| 2023 | San Agustin | Kauswagan | Fish Polyculture in Pen | Kauswagan In-land Fisherfolk Association | 25 | 453,924.00 |
| 2023 | San Miguel | Bolhoon | Tilapia Culture in Pond | San Miguel Fishpond Operator's Association | 25 | 1,197,158.00 |
| 2024 | Barobo | Rizal | Seaweed Culture | Hunop Rizal Fishermen Association | 25 | 105,000.00 |
| 2024 | Lanuza | Habag | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Nagkahiusang Gagmayng Mananagat Sa Pagbantay Sa Kadagatan (nagamapaka) | 25 | 48,000.00 |
| 2024 | Lanuza | Nurcia | Fishing Gear and Paraphernalia | Nurcia Fisherfolk Association (nfa) | 25 | 48,000.00 |
| 2024 | Lanuza | Zone I (Pob.) | Milkfish Culture in Pond | Zone 1 B Fisherfolk Association | 25 | 445,641.00 |
| 2024 | Lingig | Palo Alto | Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Palo-alto Fishermen Association | 25 | 600,000.00 |
| 2024 | Lingig | San Roque | Lobster Culture | United San Roque Fisherfolk Association | 25 | 300,000.00 |
| 2024 | Lingig | Valencia | Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Maribojoc Valencia Fishermen Association | 25 | 600,000.00 |
| 2024 | San Agustin | Kauswagan | Fish Polyculture in Pen | Kauswagan In-land Fisherfolk Association | 25 | 336,828.00 |
| 2024 | San Miguel | Bolhoon | Milkfish Culture in Pond | San Miguel Fishpond Operator's Association | 25 | 978,000.00 |
| 2024 | Tagbina | Santa Juana | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Doña Carmen Ugoban Greenfield Tilapia Grower Association | 25 | 978,000.00 |
| 2025 | Carmen | Carmen (Pob.) | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Carmen Tilapia Growers Association | 25 | 1,195,000.00 |
| 2025 | Lianga | Diatagon | Milkfish Culture in HDPE Cage (10m x 10m) | Diatagon Sustainable Consumers Cooperative | 25 | 1,342,000.00 |
| 2025 | Lingig | Palo Alto | Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Palo Alto Fishermen Association | 25 | 650,000.00 |
| 2025 | Lingig | Valencia | Fishing Gear (Hook and Line) | Maribojoc Valencia Fishermen Association | 25 | 650.00 |
| 2025 | Marihatag | Poblacion | Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Poblacion Marihatag Fisherfolks Organization | 25 | 605,312.00 |
| 2025 | San Agustin | Salvacion | Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao) | Hugpong Mananagat Sa Salvacion | 25 | 658,000.00 |
| 2025 | Tagbina | Doña Carmen | Tilapia Culture in Pond | Doña Carmen, Ugoban, Greenfield Tilapia Growers Association | 25 | 1,195,000.00 |