Zamboanga del Sur

Zamboanga del Sur occupies the southern section of the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao, with Pagadian City as its capital. It is bordered by Zamboanga del Norte to the north and Zamboanga Sibugay to the southwest, with the Moro Gulf to its south. The province is characterized by a mountainous interior stretching northward and narrow coastal plains that widen towards the Baganian Peninsula. While Zamboanga City is often statistically grouped with it, it is administratively independent. Zamboanga del Sur’s economy is primarily rooted in its agri-fishery industry, with farming and fishing as the main economic activities for a large portion of its population.

Agricultural Sector

Agriculture is the primary industry in Zamboanga del Sur, employing nearly 50% of the total labor force. The province is known for its coconut production, which is the region’s top agricultural product and a major traditional export. Other significant crops include mangoes, rice, and rubber. Despite its strong agricultural base, the sector faces challenges such as climate change impacts, environmental degradation, and a low level of mechanization, as most farming processes still rely on manual labor. Efforts are ongoing to improve agricultural practices, and to address challenges like the quality of rubber and the productivity of crops.

Fisheries Sector

The fisheries sector in Zamboanga del Sur is a crucial part of the province’s economy and livelihoods. The Zamboanga Peninsula, which includes Zamboanga del Sur, is recognized as a top commercial fish producer in the country. It supplies a significant portion of the nation’s dried fish and canned sardines. However, while commercial fisheries have shown some gains, the municipal fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the region have experienced reductions in production volume in recent years. To enhance the sector, Zamboanga del Sur is actively pursuing value-adding initiatives, such as modern fish-drying facilities and ice factories, and is looking into developing bangus (milkfish) fry hatcheries to support local aquaculture. The province aims to improve food safety and traceability of its popular dried fish products.

Poverty Situation

Zamboanga del Sur faces significant poverty challenges. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s “Listahanan 3” assessment, Zamboanga del Sur had a poverty magnitude of 49.48% in 2022, with 97,556 households identified as poor. This indicates that roughly half of the households in the province are living in poverty. While the overall poverty incidence among families in the Zamboanga Peninsula region saw a decrease from 26.0% in 2021 to 20.3% in 2023, Zamboanga del Sur remains one of the provinces with a high number of poor individuals. The majority of the poor households are found in rural areas, highlighting the need for sustained and targeted interventions in the agri-fishery sector.

Project Profile

DA

The DA (Department of Agriculture) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) program is actively implemented in Zamboanga del Sur, providing substantial support to marginalized farmers. In February 2025, 240 farmers from 16 recipient groups in the province benefited from the DA-SAAD program, expressing gratitude for the boost in their livelihood and income. Examples include the Kapamanok Rootcrops Farmers’ Association (KRFA) in San Pablo, which saw increased yields and income from their corn production project, and the Kilusang Pagbabago Kabatan FA (KPKFA) in Vincenzo Sagun, benefiting from a banana production project. The program provides essential inputs like corn hammer mills, tractors, seeds, and fertilizers, along with financial management training and assistance in market access, demonstrating a holistic approach to empowering farmers.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023JosefinaEbarleChicken Production ProjectEbarle Fa251,870,400.00
2023LakewoodLukuanCorn and Peanut ProductionLukuan Integrated Fa251,945,093.00
2023MidsalipCabaloranBanana and Corn Production ProjectCabaluran Banana Planters Association261,932,100.00
2023San PabloKapamanokCorn Production ProjectKapamanok Rootcrops Fa251,935,000.00
2023SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)EASTERN POBLACIONBanana and Corn Production ProjectEastern Poblacion Farmers Association251,932,100.00
2023TabinaMabuhayCarabao Dairy Farm ProjectMabuhay Farmers Agrarian Rba251,595,000.00
2023TigbaoTigbaoProvision of farm machineries for Rice and Corn Production ProjectPoblacion Tigbao Fa251,340,400.00
2023Vincenzo A. SagunKabatanBanana Production ProjectKilusang Pagbabago Kabataan Fa251,557,850.00
2024JOSEFINAEBARLESUPPORT PROJECT ONCORN PRODUCTION WITH MACHINERIES AND NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTIONEbarle Fa251,197,600.00
2024JOSEFINASEBUKANGSUPPORT PROJECT ONCORN PRODUCTION WITH MACHINERIES AND NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTIONSebukang Fa251,217,500.00
2024LAKEWOODLUKUANSUPPORT FOR CORN PRODUCTIONLukuan Integrated Fa251,377,500.00
2024LAKEWOODPOBLACIONIntegrated Project on Corn and Vegetable ProductionRural Improvement Club261,253,000.00
2024MIDSALIPCabaloranSupport for Corn and Banana ProductionCabaluran Banana Planters Association261,580,000.00
2024MIDSALIPLumpunidVegetable Production ProjectBarangay Lumponed Gardeners Association251,568,000.00
2024SAN PABLOKALILANGANSquash Production ProjectMakugihon Organic Farming Association251,363,000.00
2024SAN PABLOKAPAMANOKSupport for Corn Production ProjectKapamanok Rootcrops Fa25945,000.00
2024SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)EASTERN POBLACIONSupport for Banana Production ProjectEastern Poblacion Fa251,730,000.00
2024SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)RIZALCACAO PRODUCTION PROJECTRizal Fa262,218,400.00
2024TABINAABONG-ABONGLayer Chicken Egg ProductionAbong Abong Fa251,456,800.00
2024TABINAMABUHAYSUPPORT TO CARABO DISPERSAL25460,000.00
2024TIGBAODIANA COUNTRYSIDECORN AND VEGETBLE PRODUCTION PROJECTDiana Countryside Fa251,695,000.00
2024TIGBAOPOBLACIONCORN PRODUCTION PROJECTMakulip Fa251,117,500.00
2024VINCENZO A. SAGUNKABATANSupport for Banana Production ProjectKilusang Pagbabago Kabatan Fa25996,000.00
2024VINCENZO A. SAGUNLINOGUAYANGOAT PRODUCTION PROJECTLinoguayan Fa27992,000.00
2025JOSEFINAEBARLESUPPORT TO FREE-RANGE NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTIONEbarle Farmers Association25760,800.00
2025JOSEFINASEBUKANGSUPPORT TO CORN PRODUCTIONSebukang Farmers Assocition25888,500.00
2025JOSEFINATagaytay HillBANANA, CORN, FRUIT TREES PRODUCTION PROJECTTagaytay Hill Farmers Association251,309,750.00
2025LAKEWOODLUKUANCORN PRODUCTION PROJECTLukuan Integrated Farmer Association251,400,500.00
2025LAKEWOODPOBLACIONINTEGRATED PROJECT ON CORN AND VEGETABLES PRODUCTIONRural Improvement Club25848,500.00
2025LAKEWOODSAPANG PINOLESINTEGRATED CORN AND BANANA PRODUCTIONSapang Pinoles Farmer Association252,023,450.00
2025MIDSALIPCabaloranSUPPORT TO BANANA AND CORN PRODUCTIONCabaluran Banana Planter Asdociation26806,500.00
2025MIDSALIPCumaronBANANA AND CORN PRODUCTIONCumarom Farmers Association251,558,900.00
2025MIDSALIPLumpunidSUPPORT TO VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONLumponid Gardeners Association25946,000.00
2025SAN PABLOKALILANGANSQUASH PRODUCTIONMakugihon Organic Farming Association25584,800.00
2025SAN PABLOKAPAMANOKCORN PRODUCTIONKapamanok Rootcrops Farmers Association25828,500.00
2025SAN PABLOPONGAPONGCORN PRODUCTIONPongapong Corn And Rootcrops Farmers Association251,539,000.00
2025SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)EASTERN POBLACIONBANANA AND CORN PRODUCTIONEastern Poblacion Farmers Association25821,000.00
2025SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)RIZALCACAO PRODUCTIONRizal Farmers Association261,167,000.00
2025SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)TUNGAWANVEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECTRural Improvement Club Organization25909,500.00
2025TABINAAbong-abongLAYER CHICKEN EGG PRODUCTIONAbong-abong Farmer Association25841,500.00
2025TABINAMABUHAYCARABAO DISPERSAL PRODUCTION PROJECTMabuhay Farmer Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Association25460,000.00
2025TABINANew OroquietaBANANA PRODUCTIONNew Oroquieta Kalipi Association251,142,700.00
2025TIGBAODIANA COUNTRYSIDESUPPORT TO CORN AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECTMakulip Farmers Association251,611,510.00
2025TIGBAONILOBANANA AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECTNilo Farmers Association251,284,700.00
2025TIGBAOPOBLACIONSUPPORT TO CORN PRODUCTION PROJECTPoblacion Tigbao Farmers Association251,201,000.00
2025VINCENZO A. SAGUNKABATANSUPPORT TO BANANA PRODUCTION PROJECTKilusang Pagbabago Kabatan Farmers Association25708,250.00
2025VINCENZO A. SAGUNLINOGUAYANSUPPORT TO GOAT PROJECT, CORN AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONLinoguayan Farmers Association30898,840.00
2025VINCENZO A. SAGUNLUMBALVEGETABLE PRODUCTIONKilusang Pagbabago Lumbal Farmers Association25846,750.00
2026JOSEFINAEBARLESUPPORT TO FREE-RANGE NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTIONEbarle Farmers Association25497,300.00
2026JOSEFINASEBUKANGSUPPORT TO CORN PRODUCTIONSebukang Farmers Assocition25458,320.00
2026JOSEFINATagaytay HillIntegrated High Value Crops and Corn ProductionTagaytay Hill Farmers Association25793,800.00
2026LAKEWOODLUKUANSupport to Corn ProductionLukuan Integrated Farmer Association25801,300.00
2026LAKEWOODPOBLACIONSupport to Integrated Corn and Vegetable Production - Poblacion Rural Improvement ClubWomen Rural Improvement Club26139,660.00
2026LAKEWOODSAPANG PINOLESSupport to Integrated Corn and Banana ProductionSapang Pinoles Farmer Association25510,800.00
2026MIDSALIPCabaloranSUPPORT TO BANANA AND CORN PRODUCTIONCabaluran Banana Planter Asdociation26481,300.00
2026MIDSALIPCumaronBANANA AND CORN PRODUCTIONCumarom Farmers Association25604,900.00
2026MIDSALIPLumpunid Integrated project on Vegetable and Layer Chicken Egg productionBarangay Lumponed Gardeners Association251,061,200.00
2026SAN PABLOKALILANGANSquash Production projectMakugihon Organic Farming Association25355,650.00
2026SAN PABLOKAPAMANOKSupport to Integrated Project on Cattle and Corn ProductionKapamanok Rootcrops Farmers Association25832,600.00
2026SAN PABLOPONGAPONGCORN PRODUCTIONPongapong Corn And Rootcrops Farmers Association25639,800.00
2026SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)EASTERN POBLACIONSupport to Banana Production project inEastern Poblacion Farmers Association25502,450.00
2026SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)RIZALSupport to Cacao Production projectRizal Farmers Association26736,400.00
2026SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)TUNGAWANSupport to Vegetable and Corn Production projectRural Improvement Club Organization251,030,310.00
2026TABINAAbong-abongSupport to Layer Chicken Egg ProductionAbong-abong Farmer Association251,031,950.00
2026TABINAMABUHAYSupport to Animal Dispersal ProductionMabuhay Farmer Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Association25503,540.00
2026TABINANew OroquietaSupport to Banana productionNew Oroquieta Kalipi Association25449,460.00
2026TIGBAODIANA COUNTRYSIDESUPPORT TO CORN AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PROJECTMakulip Farmers Association25730,260.00
2026TIGBAONILOSupport to BANANA and Vegetable ProductionNilo Farmers Association251,073,600.00
2026TIGBAOPOBLACIONSupport to Corn and Vegetable ProductionPoblacion Tigbao Farmers Association25610,100.00
2026VINCENZO A. SAGUNKABATANSUPPORT TO BANANA PRODUCTION PROJECTKilusang Pagbabago Kabatan Farmers Association25614,000.00
2026VINCENZO A. SAGUNLINOGUAYANSupport to Goat, Corn and Vegetable ProductionLinoguayan Farmers Association30456,350.00
2026VINCENZO A. SAGUNLUMBALSupport to VEGETABLE ProductionKilusang Pagbabago Lumbal Farmers Association25409,750.00

BFAR

The BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) Project is actively intensifying its efforts to improve the livelihood of fisherfolk in Zamboanga del Sur. As of June 2025, BFAR is rolling out livelihood training and aquaculture support under its SAAD and FishCoRe programs in far-flung areas of towns like Tigbao, Sominot, Josefina, and Vincenzo Sagun. These initiatives aim to help fisherfolk transition from purely capture fishing to more sustainable practices, such as tilapia culture. BFAR provides essential resources like Tilapia fingerlings, commercial feeds, fishing gear, materials for boat fabrication, marine engines, and insulated fish coolers. The program emphasizes sustainable practices, livelihood assistance, and community development to improve the quality of life and boost the productivity of fishing communities in the province.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023JOSEFINAGumahan (Pob.)Tilapia Culture in PondJosefina Fisherfolk Association26783,450.00
2023SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)PoblacionTilapia Culture in PondSominot Backyard Upland Fish Farmers Association24577,685.00
2023TIGBAOTigbaoTilapia Culture in PondTigbao Freshwater Fisherfolk Association281,064,112.00
2023VINCENZO A. SAGUNDananMotorized Boat (20 footer) with Fishing Gear (Drift Gillnet)Danan Small Fisherfolk Association211,416,700.00
2024JOSEFINAGumahan (Pob.)Tilapia Culture in PondJosefina Fisherfolk Association271,186,855.00
2024SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)PoblacionTilapia Culture in PondSominot Upland Backyard Fish Farmers Association38794,725.00
2024TIGBAOTigbaoTilapia Culture in PondTigbao Freshwater Fisherfolk Association351,691,625.00
2024VINCENZO A. SAGUNDananFishing Gear (Deep Sea Payao)Danan Small Fisherfolks Association49792,804.00
2025JOSEFINAGumahan (Pob.)Post-Harvest Shared Station Facility with Equipment/MaterialsJosefina Fisherfolk Association261,365,291.00
2025SOMINOT (DON MARIANO MARCOS)PoblacionPost-Harvest Shared Station Facility with Equipment/MaterialsSominot Backyard Upland Fish Farmers Association351,474,291.00
2025TIGBAOTigbaoVillage-Type Hatchery in Support to Tilapia Culture in PondTigbao Freshwater Fisherfolk Association361,000,000.00
2025TIGBAOTigbaoPost-Harvest Shared Station Facility with Equipment/MaterialsTigbao Freshwater Fisherfolk Association361,474,291.00
2025VINCENZO A. SAGUNDananPost-Harvest Shared Station Facility with Equipment/MaterialsDanan Small Fisherfollk Association411,332,291.00