In the face of adversity, the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) of Eastern Visayas are demonstrating remarkable resilience.
While a state of calamity has been declared in the region due to the critical condition of the San Juanico Bridge, a recent activity of the 黑料网 has shed light on the private sector-partners鈥� best practices, contributing to the development of the region鈥檚 agri-fishery industry.
The Lakbay Panayam, or Conversations on the Move, in the second quarter of the year has unexpectedly become a crucial baseline for understanding how farmers and fishers will navigate this new logistical concern.
Presidential Proclamation No. 920, issued on June 5, 2025, highlights the urgent need to repair and rehabilitate the San Juanico Bridge, which is the only permanent land link between the islands of Samar and Leyte.
An assessment by the Department of Public Works and Highways found the bridge to be in critical condition, leading to the imposition of a three-ton vehicle load limit. This restriction has forcibly stopped the passage of heavy cargo vehicles, severely disrupting the transport of essential goods, including food, medicine, and agricultural products across Eastern Visayas.
In this context, the conversations with leaders of the AFCs reveal both the strength of the grassroots and the systemic vulnerabilities that the iconic bridge concern will amplify.
The Lakbay Panayam team interviewed eight AFC officers and one member of the National Sectoral Committee from across the region, uncovering stories of unwavering dedication and innovative approaches鈥� qualities that are more vital than ever today.
Best practices and local resilience
The AFCs of Eastern Visayas have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness in overcoming their day-to-day challenges.
The jackfruit industry, in particular, stands out as a source of pride and a symbol of potential.
During the interviews, Eastern Visayas Regional AFC (RAFC) Chairperson Engr. Miguel Pedroso gave the team a tour of his farm, which is also an accredited learning site for agriculture by the DA鈥檚 Agricultural Training Institute. He also showcased his produce and his plans for his farm to be a farm-tourism spot.
RAFC Chair Pedroso is a strong advocate of the 鈥淎buyog Sweet,鈥� now known as “EVIARC Sweet” jackfruit, a variety developed in Eastern Visayas. He is actively working to influence policies to promote it as one of the region鈥檚 champion commodities.
The success of the local crop, however, depends on seamless logistics. The AFCs’ conversations with the PCAF team highlighted challenges, including the need for dedicated vehicles and equipment to support monitoring activities.
With the San Juanico Bridge’s capacity now limited, these issues are magnified. The crisis presents a unique opportunity to provide the targeted support that these innovative farmers and their organizations need.
Another jackfruit advocate is Provincial AFC (PAFC) Chairperson Jorge Alvero from Abuyog, Leyte. Aside from leading jackfruit farmers’ associations, he also led a “Plant a Tree” Program that encourages the planting of 365 trees annually to help mitigate the effects of climate change.
The future of agriculture in the region is being shaped by its youth and women in the industry.
Jeremias Medalla, the Municipal AFC Chairperson of Leyte, Leyte, also serves as a youth representative for the RAFC Eastern Visayas. He shared that his experience with the AFC has taught him the true meaning of volunteerism and has given him a “sense of belongingness”. He hopes to learn from other AFCs to grow their organization and share best practices with his municipality.
The conversations also highlighted the invaluable contributions of women in the sector.
In Ormoc City, AFC woman leader Gina Terando is a passionate advocate for empowering women through agriculture-based livelihood opportunities such as turmeric tea and oil massage. Her organization is exploring the creation of unique, root crop-based ice cream using local products like sweet potatoes, ube, and taro.
In Northern Samar, Martha Cadano, a woman leader and RAFC Sectoral representative for Fisheries and Aquaculture, emphasized the importance of women’s contributions in the trade and marketing process to increasing fishers’ incomes.
Beyond individual leadership, collaborative efforts are also making a significant impact. Ormoc Independent-Component City AFC Chairperson Conceso Cabiling reinvested the prize money from the 2018 Gawad Saka to establish a successful livestock livelihood program that has expanded to over 200 heads.
The team also heard the story of Marcial Eleuterio Esperas III, a member of the National Sectoral Committee (NSC) on Coffee and Cacao in Tacloban City.
For more than a decade as a member of the NSC on Coffee and Cacao, he played a crucial role in championing local products. He advocates patronizing Philippine coffee and supporting local farmers through policy, support services, and an adequate budget from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
He also highlighted the serious problem of coffee bean hoarding, which limits supply and renders them inaccessible for immediate use or sale.
These initiatives, which bolster local production and self-sufficiency, are essential in a time of logistical constraints. However, the Lakbay Panayam also uncovered existing challenges that the bridge closure will exacerbate.
Amplified challenges: A roadblock to progress
The discussions revealed how longstanding issues, such as mobility and resource allocation, have been magnified by the San Juanico Bridge crisis. RAFC Pedroso identified the “mobility of all agri-fishery stakeholders” as a key challenge due to the region’s complex geography.
He expressed the hope that motor vehicles would be provided to AFCs to boost farmer participation and strengthen collaboration. Similarly, Eastern Samar PAFC Chairperson Regalado Ope帽a and his team noted the need for dedicated vehicles and equipment to conduct their monitoring activities.
With heavy cargo vehicles now restricted from crossing the bridge, the logistical lifeline for these groups is disrupted, making it even more difficult to transport goods and conduct crucial on-the-ground work.
The report also highlighted other systemic problems that will be worsened due to the restricted access to the bridge:
- Insufficient support from local government units (LGUs) and the DA to help AFCs expand their programs.
- A “mismatch” between the actual needs of local farmers and the interventions being provided.
Building a brighter future together
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.鈥檚 proclamation directs all national government departments and agencies to “fully support and assist” in the repair of the bridge, while urging all LGUs and the private sector to cooperate and mobilize necessary resources. The insights gathered through the Lakbay Panayam offer a clear roadmap for guiding this collective support.
Now more than ever, the government and its partners need to listen to the voices of the AFCs and ensure that programs and projects are aligned with the actual needs of farmers and fishers.
Providing dedicated vehicles and equipment for monitoring and transport, as requested by the AFC leaders, would be a critical first step.
As the region works to repair the physical bridge that connects its islands, it is equally important to bridge the gap between policy and practice by giving the agricultural sector the tools and support it needs to continue its vital work. | Jezebel Campaniel (Photos by Junry Danila, Christian Jay Torralba, and JCampaniel)
