CEBU CITY — Governor Pamela Baricuatro unveiled a bold agricultural roadmap on July 24, 2026, aiming to position Cebu as the country’s corn capital while reviving its famed mango industry. The plan, backed by top agriculture officials, promises to reshape the province’s food economy.
A Corn Capital in the Making
Cebu already supplies a steady market of animal feed producers hungry for local corn. Governor Baricuatro wants to convert former sugarcane lands in the north into commercial corn fields, tapping idle soil for a high‑demand crop. Additional growing areas in the south and west have also been identified to spread production across the island.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Arnel de Mesa Perez and Assistant Secretaries Daniel Alfonso Atayde and Brando Aguilera visited the Capitol to align national programs with Cebu’s vision. DA Regional Executive Director Angel Enriquez assured the province of technical support, from high‑yielding seeds to modern farming protocols. The collaboration signals that Cebu’s corn ambitions are backed by both science and funding.
Bringing Back the Mango Glory
Cebu’s dried mangoes are a global delicacy, yet raw mango production has lagged in recent years. The governor plans to rehabilitate orchards across the province to secure a stable supply for processors and exporters. A revived mango sector would protect the province’s premium brand while creating rural jobs.
Enriquez confirmed that the regional DA office is ready to assist with planting materials and orchard management. The goal is not just to grow more mangoes but to ensure quality that meets international standards. With Cebu’s name still synonymous with the sweet dried fruit, the governor sees a direct path from farm revival to export growth.
Mega Food Hub Anchors the Strategy
At the heart of the plan is the Cebu Mega Food Hub, the first facility of its kind outside Luzon. The ₱1‑billion project will rise on a 45‑hectare portion of the Balili Estate in Naga City, chosen for its access to southern farming communities. It will feature cold storage, food consolidation, processing, and direct farmer‑to‑buyer trading—all under one roof.
The hub addresses a critical gap in post‑harvest infrastructure. Without adequate cold storage, farmers lose a significant portion of their harvest before it reaches consumers. The facility will slash those losses, stabilize supply chains, and help temper food inflation. Governor Baricuatro described it as a cornerstone of her food security and livelihood agenda.
A Unified Push for Food Security
The Capitol’s multi‑crop strategy and the Naga City hub together form a comprehensive response to rising food costs. By linking farmers directly to markets, the province eliminates middlemen that drive up retail prices. The initiative also creates a reliable income stream for corn growers and mango producers, encouraging more families to stay in agriculture.
With DA backing and a clear roadmap, Cebu is setting a precedent for how local governments can lead in national food production. The shift from raw materials to integrated processing and distribution promises lasting economic resilience. Governor Baricuatro’s vision is as much about food on every table as it is about putting Cebu at the center of the country’s agricultural map.
