In a significant move to revitalize its agricultural sector, the Province of Cebu has launched a dual-pronged strategy focusing on immediate recovery and long-term resilience. Governor Pamela Baricuatro issued two executive orders on Monday, January 12, 2026, targeting the rehabilitation of disaster-damaged farmlands and strengthening governance of the agri-fishery industry.
Adopt-a-Farm Program: Speeding Up Rehabilitation
Governor Baricuatro formally established the Adopt-a-Farm Program as a core component of Cebu’s Agricultural Economic Recovery Framework under the Kumbati Cebu Task Force. This initiative is a direct response to the severe damage inflicted on farmlands by a series of recent calamities, including an earthquake, Typhoon Tino, and extensive flooding. These events crippled food production, destroyed irrigation systems, and undermined the livelihoods of rural communities.
The program is designed as a collaborative platform, calling on public and private sector partners, civil society groups, academic institutions, and development organizations to provide direct support to affected farms, specific commodities, or entire agricultural zones. The range of possible assistance is broad and includes:
- Clearing and rehabilitating land.
- Providing seeds, fertilizers, and farming equipment.
- Repairing critical irrigation systems and farm-to-market roads.
- Deploying modern agricultural technologies.
- Facilitating access to financing and insurance products.
- Creating stronger market linkages for farmers' produce.
A dedicated steering committee, chaired by the Provincial Agriculturist and co-chaired by the head of the Kumbati Cebu Economic Recovery Cluster, will oversee the program's implementation, coordination, and monitoring to ensure its effectiveness.
New Council for Long-Term Agri-Fishery Governance
Through a separate executive order, Governor Baricuatro created the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Conservation and Development Council (PAFCDC). This body is tasked with providing strategic policy direction and strengthening the long-term governance of Cebu's vital agri-fishery sector.
The council, which will be chaired by the Governor herself, has a comprehensive mandate. Its key functions are to:
- Promote climate-resilient and science-based practices in agriculture and fisheries.
- Protect agricultural lands and marine resources from degradation and conversion.
- Improve market access and support value-added production for local farmers and fishers.
The PAFCDC will serve as a convergence point for provincial offices, national government agencies, farmers' and fishers' organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions. All local government units and provincial offices are directed to align their plans, programs, and budgets with the council's conservation and development strategies.
A Strategy for Immediate and Future Needs
The Capitol, in its statement, emphasized that these two executive orders represent the administration's holistic approach. The strategy addresses the urgent need for post-disaster agricultural recovery while simultaneously building a foundation for long-term resilience and sustainable food security for Cebu's farming and fishing communities.
By launching the Adopt-a-Farm Program and institutionalizing the PAFCDC, the provincial government aims not only to heal the wounds inflicted by recent disasters but also to fortify the sector against future challenges, ensuring it remains a pillar of Cebu's economy and food supply.
