Chicken capital

CEBU, Philippines — In a bid to transform Cebu Province into the free-range chicken capital of the Philippines, former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol is set to relocate 2,000 breeders of his signature Manok Pinoy strain from Kidapawan City to Cebu by December.

Piñol, who now serves as food security adviser to Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, said the rollout will coincide with the full implementation of a sorghum, soybean, and corn production program — the feed backbone of the poultry initiative.

These crops will be pilot-tested in Bogo City, Medellin, and Daanbantayan, where results are expected to be promising.

Sorghum, known for its drought resistance and high nutritional value, is ideal for Cebu’s climate. Soybeans, a nitrogen-fixing crop, are being used to rehabilitate lands depleted by sugarcane monocropping, while corn remains a staple feed component. Together, the crops form a sustainable, locally sourced feed system for poultry, hogs, and aquaculture.

Piñol, who developed the Manok Pinoy strain in 2010, describes it as a dual-purpose breed ideal for both egg production and meat — particularly for the Filipino favorite, litson manok. Known for their natural grass-eating behavior, the chickens have also earned the nickname “natural lawn mowers.” Piñol has shared footage on his verified Facebook page showing the chickens clearing weeds from his cornfields.

Originally intended for North Cotabato, the program was redirected to Cebu and Kidapawan City due to political changes and the need for strong local government support.

 “I am doing this with a heavy heart because the Manok Pinoy Free-Range Chicken Production Program was originally intended to be undertaken in my home province, North Cotabato. Following the disastrous results of the last elections, however, I had to relocate the program in an area where the local political leaders will support it, including my home city of Kidapawan,” Piñol said.

He emphasized that previous government-run free-range chicken programs failed due to lack of monitoring and market assurance.

His model aims to address these gaps by involving municipal and provincial veterinary offices and deploying “barefoot poultry technicians” for farm-level supervision.

 “Based on my experience, the Free-Range Chicken Program of government failed in the past because after distributing the breeders to farmers, there was no follow-up monitoring and supervision. There was also the absence of a marketing system which would assure farmers that the free-range chicken that they will produce will be bought at a fair price,” he added.

Piñol believes Cebu offers fertile ground for the program’s success, especially with Governor Baricuatro backing the vision.

The Manok Pinoy strain reaches market weight of at least one kilo in just three to four months under free-range conditions. With proper implementation, Piñol projects Cebu will earn its new title within two years.

 “At 3 to 4 months, they reach the weight of at least 1-kilo raised in the Free-Range… The projection is that in two years, Cebu will be known as the Manok Pinoy Free-Range Chicken Capital of the Philippines,” Piñol said.

Earlier, Piñol also launched the Farm Dreamers Program in Danao City — a custodial livestock initiative that allows Cebu-based OFWs and professionals to invest in Wagyu cattle. Danao City Mayor Nito Durano offered their locality as a pilot site for Wagyu production.

Managed by a private breeding facility, each animal will be tagged with a microchip for real-time monitoring. Once matured, the cattle are sold, and proceeds are returned to the owners — a model designed to democratize livestock ownership without requiring land or daily farm labor.

To further diversify Cebu’s agricultural portfolio, Piñol is also spearheading a 300-hectare agroforestry pilot farm that interplants giant bamboo with coffee. The bamboo stabilizes watersheds and absorbs carbon, while the coffee provides additional income.

This model not only supports reforestation and climate resilience but also positions Cebu to tap into the growing market for engineered bamboo and specialty coffee.

Adding a coastal dimension to Cebu’s food security strategy, Piñol has also laid the groundwork for a Fish Sufficiency Program anchored on modern fish cage farming.

In partnership with Inca Mariculture Company, the program introduces a “rent-to-own” scheme that allows underprivileged fisherfolk to operate fish cages with minimal startup capital.

The initiative was launched ahead of Governor Baricuatro’s assumption of office, ensuring its implementation within her first 100 days. Training sessions are already underway with support from BFAR Region 7, SEAFDEC, and aquaculture advocates.

The fish production program will be linked to the Pamilya Food Center — a market chain operated by persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and out-of-school youth — reinforcing Piñol’s commitment to inclusive development.

From feed crops to forest crops, livestock to aquaculture, Piñol’s roadmap positions Cebu as a national leader in sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and community empowerment. (CEBU NEWS)