Author: Mary Jean Pitao

The winners of the 23 out of the 30 categories of the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uuma ug Mananagat nga Bol-anon 2025 are slated to be recognized and awarded during the scheduled awarding ceremony on July 17, 2025 at the Plaza Rizal this city, which falls on the fourth day of the five-day celebration of the Sandugo Agri-Fair which will start on July 14 to July 18, 2025.

            The 24 categories whose winners to be recognized and awarded are the following: Outstanding Farmer on Hybrid Rice Based-Farming System, Outstanding Farmer on Inbred Rice Based-Farming System, Outstanding Hybrid Corn Farmer, Outstanding OPV Corn Farmer, Outstanding Integrated High Value Crops Farmer, Outstanding Cacao Farmer, Outstanding Cassava Farmer,

            Outstanding Banana Grower, Outstanding Ubi Grower, Outstanding Tilapia Culture (Commercial Pond), Outstanding Tilapia Culture (Backyard Pond), Outstanding Bangus Culture (Cage), Outstanding Fishermen’s Association, Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist, Outstanding Farmers Association (Program Based) Department of Agriculture (DA) and PGBh-OPA support project,

            Outstanding Rural Woman, Outstanding Young Farmer (4H-Club), Outstanding Youth in Integrated Farming, Outstanding Young Farmer in Rural Community Service, Outstanding Rice Technician, Outstanding Corn Technician,

Outstanding Fishery Technician and Outstanding HVCDP Technician.

            While, the seven categories whose winners will be awarded on October 16, 2025 during the World Food Day Celebration of the province namely: Outstanding Organic Agriculture Individual Practitioner, Outstanding Organic Agriculture LGU Implementer, Outstanding Organic Farming Family, Outstanding School Organic Implementer, Outstanding Organic Practitioner (Association), Outstanding Organic Agriculture Young Farmer and Outstanding Organic Technician all for organic agriculture endeavors in Bohol.

            Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog stressed that this will be the first time that the awarding of the SUHID winners who have excelled in their field of agriculture be done during the Sandugo Agri-Fair and World Food Day celebrations emphasizing their importance in the community that should be given proper and appropriate recognition for their exemplary performance and significant contributions to the advancement and promotion of agriculture in the province and in the country in general.

            The names of the winners have not yet been released as the evaluators are finalizing on who are to be landed in the first, second and third placers in all of the 30 categories of the search.

            Quirog disclosed that this is also the first time there are three winners in each category, to acknowledge their efforts in participating the SUHID as nominees from their respective localities strongly endorsed by their Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs). By Atoy Cosap

Two Boholanos who have shown their passion and dedication in the field of agriculture have been selected as National Grand Winners of the 50^th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda.

            Pablita Cabarles of Manga National High School (Integrated-Diversified Organic Farming System Learning Site) adjudged as Outstanding Urban ana Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden (Micro-Garden), and Jomer M. Balag of Jolit’s Eco Garden and Integrated Farm in Cambacay, Batuan as Outstanding High-Value Crops Farmer-Vegetables Grand Winners.

            Engr. Roger V. Navarro, Chairperson, Gawad Saka National Executive Committee sent a letter informing Director Angel C. Enriquez, Regional Executive Director Regional Field Office – Department of Agriculture (DA)-7 that the three finalists of the national tilt from region 7 to include the City Agricultural and Fishery Council-Bayawan City in Bayawan, Negros Oriental emerged as National Grand Winners of the prestigious search.

            Engr. Navarro requested the winners to attend the 50^th Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremony, to be conferred by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in Munoz, Nueva Ecija on Friday in recognition of their exemplary performance and significant contributions to the advancement and promotion of the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector. However, the confirmation of the exact time and other details of the activity is being awaited from the Office of the President.

            They are required to accomplish the following: submit the photographs of the national grand winners in accordance with the prescribed specifications; confirm the name of one official companion and assisting technician (if applicable) for each national grand winner of which only one companion will be strictly allowed per awardee; and provide the required bank details of each national grand winners and their respective assisting technicians (if applicable) for the release of cash prizes.

             Cabarles and Balag together with the La Suerte Vegetable Growers Association (LASUVEGA), in La Suerte, Pilar were the nominees in DA-7 from Bohol to National Gawad Saka Search. But after the Gawad Saka National Technical Committee (NTC) of the search had completed the table evaluations only Cabarles and Balag had been shortlisted as finalists for the province.

            Thereafter, the NTC conducted the field validation last April 7-9, 2025 to interview the finalists and concerned officials of the Local Government Units (LGU). And after the thorough validations by the NTC Cabarles and Balag both landed top three and received their awards during the awarding ceremony held at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City last May 19, 2025.

            They also received the awards during the Grand Parangal Regional Outstanding Agricultural Achievers Awarding Ceremony held at the Golden Prince Hotel in Cebu City last May 29, 2025.

            Cabarles and Balag are now preparing to accomplish the needed requirements as they are waiting further details regarding the date and time of the awarding ceremony. By Atoy Cosap