19/08/2026
PLARIDEL DOUBLES DOWN ON FARMING AND FISHERIES AS BACKBONE OF LOCAL ECONOMY
via Bhal Abad Cabrera | August 19, 2026
PLARIDEL, Misamis Occidental—From fertilizer and quality seeds to fisheries infrastructure and affordable rice, the municipality is positioning food production at the center of its development agenda.
In a municipality known as the Rice Granary of Misamis Occidental, agriculture remains more than an economic sector for Plaridel—it is a major source of livelihood and a key component of its food security strategy.
Under the second pillar of the GADWIN Framework, the municipal government is putting agriculture, fisheries, and food security at the center of its development agenda.
Rice production remains a major focus. Farmers posted an average yield of 5.74 metric tons per hectare during the first half of 2026's dry season, an improvement that the municipality attributes to better farming practices, quality seeds, and modern agricultural technologies.
Government assistance has also been expanded through the Asenso Rice Farmers Full Assistance Program, which provides certified seeds, fertilizer assistance, and other interventions designed to reduce production costs and improve farm productivity.
From 2024 to 2026, the program distributed 17,524 bags of complete fertilizer, urea, and ammonium sulfate to farmers. The municipal government also allocated ₱7 million as counterpart funding for fuel subsidies and financial assistance for rice farmers.
The municipality is also encouraging farmers to diversify beyond rice.
In 2026, it distributed 300 grafted rambutan seedlings to 75 farmers while continuing its vegetable production program and providing equipment intended to improve post-harvest handling and value-adding.
Coconut farmers are another priority. More than 23,000 coconut seedlings and 2,800 bags of agricultural-grade salt fertilizer have been distributed, while 1,157 coconut farmers benefited from a Philippine Coconut Authority mobile health program.
Support has also reached farmers and fisherfolk affected by disasters and other economic difficulties.
Through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families program, 2,287 Plaridel beneficiaries received ₱5.317 million in financial assistance, including rice farmers, corn farmers, and fisherfolk.
Meanwhile, the municipality is using KADIWA to connect producers with consumers. the program has provided 71,200 kilograms of affordable rice to 4,853 families, while a KADIWA initiative for transport workers benefited another 400 beneficiaries with 4,000 kilograms of rice.
Plaridel's agricultural agenda extends to the sea.
The municipality has 3,812 registered fisherfolk and fish traders, supported by hundreds of registered municipal fishing boats and a smaller commercial fishing fleet. Future plans include aquaculture projects and major fisheries infrastructure, including a proposed ₱380-million Integrated Fisheries Hub in Southern Looc and a ₱150-million Danao–Usocan Fishing Port.
The municipality's fisheries council was also recognized as first runner-up in the 2026 Gawad Pangisdaan sa Amihanang Mindanao and received a Stakeholders' Appreciation and Recognition Award for environmental protection and sustainable fisheries management.
The message behind the numbers is straightforward: agriculture is not simply about harvests. For Plaridel, strengthening farmers and fisherfolk means strengthening the local economy—and ensuring that food security remains within reach of its people.
