Provincial Administrator Joseph “Ace” Durano stated on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that Cebu’s heavy reliance on food imports from neighboring islands and provinces has increased the province's vulnerability to rising fuel costs and high inflation.
Durano’s remarks came after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that Cebu Province’s inflation rate surged to 13.6 percent in May 2026, the highest among all provinces and highly urbanized cities in Central Visayas.
“We don’t produce enough for our needs here. So, whether vegetables, meats, chicken, pork, goats, all of them—if we produce here, it’s not enough,” Durano explained.
Central Visayas Inflation Trends
PSA data for Central Visayas showed the region’s inflation rate remained at 10.8 percent in May, marking the 10th consecutive month as the highest in the country. Food inflation in the region climbed to 16.2 percent, driven primarily by cereals, fish, other seafood, and vegetables.
Durano noted that Cebu’s demand is particularly high due to its status as a major urban and metropolitan area. In comparison, Bohol’s inflation rate was 7.4 percent in May, significantly lower than Cebu Province’s 13.6 percent. Among Cebu’s highly urbanized cities, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue each recorded inflation rates of 9.7 percent, while Cebu City posted 9.1 percent.
Provincial Government Initiatives
To mitigate the impact of rising costs, Durano outlined several measures the Provincial Government is implementing. These include supporting local farmers to boost food production, introducing an e-bus system to reduce transportation expenses, standardizing truck ban schedules to improve logistics efficiency, and developing a mega food hub to enhance regional food distribution.
“We need to support our present farmers to improve our food production. That’s just how it is,” Durano emphasized.
The initiatives aim to address food security and lower logistics costs, ultimately reducing Cebu’s dependence on imported goods and cushioning the effects of inflation on residents.
