Author: Venus Ladaga

There is no reason forBoholano farmers not to plant rice even in the rain-fed areas this dry cropping season.

The province of Bohol has abundant water following the recently concluded cloud seeding operations (CSOs), low-pressure areas and tropical depression Usman.

According to Leon Parac, Jr. of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Engr. Evelyn Putong of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA-7) informed the OPA that three of the four major dams in Bohol have full water elevation to wit; Malinao Dam in Pilar at 152 meters (ms.), Capayas in Ubay at 36.5 and Talibon Dam(30mins.).

However, the Bayongan Dam in San Miguel now has an actual water level of 30ms. against 36.5 ms. at full.

He said the water spillage from Malinao Dam has been diverted to Bayongan Dam to augment the supply of water for the service areas.

Parac who is the cloud seeding focal person reported that the 45 hours CSOs sponsored by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) had completed on December 22, 2018 bringing rains to several towns in Bohol.

With the PAG-ASA forecast of an El Niño phenomenon said to hit the country in the early part of this year, the El Niño and La Niña Task Force of the province have already prepared some mitigating measures to include the CSOs.

He said the P2.3M allocation approved by the PGBh for the 42 hours CSOs is now on the bidding process which could be conducted to lessen the impact if the dry spell would strike anew.

The province of Bohol has a rice area of 56, 913.21 hectares (has.) of which 32, 919.53 has. are rain-fed and 23,993.68 has. depends on irrigation facilities.(AtoyCosap)

The awarding ceremony forSuhidsaMalampusong Mag-uumangBol-anon 2018 which was earlier scheduled on December 25, 2018 at JJ’s Seafood Village, K of C Driveway, Poblacion 2, this city was indefinitely postponed due to some technicalities in processing the documents for the awards.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that he already informed the municipal mayors, municipal agriculturists (MAs), municipal agricultural officers (MAOs), agricultural technicians (ATs) of the 17 towns of the provinceregarding the matter through BLECS and telephone brigade where the winners of the different categories of the search came from.
The winners and the corresponding prizes of the SUHID ’18 are RamuelSayson (Tuboran, Bien Unido, Bohol) – Outstanding Fisherman – Fish capture with a prize of P5,000, Irma Villanueva (Bugang Sur, Bilar) – Outstanding Farmer – Fish Culture (P5,000), Bayongan Fishermen’s Association (Bayongan, San Miguel, Bohol) – Outstanding Fishermen’s Association (P15,000).
Maria Luz Alcala (MLGU, Cortes, Bohol) – Outstanding Fishery Technician (P5,000); Melchor P. Yaras, Del Pilar, Pilar, Bohol – Outstanding Rice Farmer (Adopting Integrated Farming) (P10,000) ; Angeles C. Opiala, San Agustin, Talibon – Outstanding Rice Technician (P5,000); Antonio B. Bunayog, San Isidro, Dauis, Bohol – Corn Farmer (Adopting Integrated Farming (P10,000); Anna Luz V. Duhaylungsod, MLGU Dauis, Bohol – Outstanding Corn Technician (P5,000); Karl Nonnan P. Endres, Poblacion Norte, Batuan, Bohol – Small Animal Raiser (Adopting Integrated Farming System (P5,000); Danilo Garcia, Buenasuerte, Pilar, Bohol – Large Animal Raiser (Adopting Integrated Farming System (P5,000);Celso C. Basilad, MLGU Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol – Agricultural Technicial (Livestock) (P5,000); Jonathan Quito, Agape, Loboc, Bohol – Outstanding Young Farmer (P15,000); Manga National High School c/o Mark Vincent Arabejo (4-H Club president) – Outstanding Young Farmer Association/Club (P20,000); Victor Ramos, San Isidro, Sagbayan, Bohol – Farm Family (P10,000);
Balilihan Association of Women’s for Development, Del Carmen Sur, Balilihan, Bohol – Outstanding Agri-Enterprise for Crops (P15,000); PrudencioPolinar, Rosariohan, Batuan, Bohol – High Value Commercial Crop Farmer (P5,000); Oscar Ong, LGU Maribojoc, Bohol – HVCDP Technician (P5,000); AngelitoOroyan, LGU Talibon – Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist/Agricultural Officer (P5,000); MAFC Ubay c/o Rey Boaquin (chairman), LGU Ubay, Ubay, Bohol – Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) (P15,000); Banlasan Rural Improvement Club, Trinidad – Rural Improvement Club (RIC) (P15, 000); Bunga, Ilaya Farmers Association, Jagna, Bohol – Farmers Association (P15, 000).
Pamugas assured that the awarding rites will be done early 2019 as he gave the cellphone number of Rosanna G. Lamdagan, head, Agribusiness Division – Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) at 0999-366-2797 for inquiries and information regarding the search.
He thanked them for their continued support and cooperation given to the provincial government in the quest geared towards agricultural development in securing food sufficiency in Bohol.
The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) under the administration of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto will once again recognize and give awards to the Boholano farmers who have excelled in the field of agriculture.
Agriculture is one of the developmental frameworks of Gov. Chatto’s administration whom he considered as the backbone of Bohol’s industry that triggers the economic growth of the province.
The PGBh has allocated big budget to the agriculture, thus several interventions have been given to the farmers. (AtoyCosap)

Despite the 13 seeding flights of the ongoing Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) over different areas of Bohol most specifically watershed areas, the actual water elevations of the four major dams have not reachedtheir full or normal water levels.
Engr. Evelina P. Putong, section chief, Operations – National Irrigation Administration, Regional Office No. 7 reported that as of Dec. 11, 2018, the water elevations of Malinao Dam in Pilar was 150.80 meters (ms.) against 152 ms. at full, Bayongan Dam (San Miguel) at 46.10ms. at par with the normal water level of 52 ms., Capayas Dam (Ubay) at 36.35 ms. against 36.50 ms. and Talibon Dam (Talibon) at 27.39 ms. against the 30 ms. spill elevation.
Based on the data, three of the four dams had recorded decrease on its November 21, 2018 water elevations compared to its levels recorded last Dec. 11, 2018 wherein the Malinao Dam from 151.78 ms. down to 150.80 ms.,Capayas Dam at 36.50 ms. decreased to 36.35 ms. and the Talibon Dam from 27.51ms. to 27.39ms. last December 11, 2018.
Leon Parac, Jr., Cloud Seeding focal person said that of the 45-hour contract CSOs sponsored by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), Philippine Air Force (PAF), and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) there are still about 24 hours remaining after the 21 hours were consumed in the 13 sorties of operations.
Parac said that since the CSOs started last November 8, 2018 until last Tuesday, almost all towns in the province of Bohol had experienced light to moderate rains such as Duero, G-Hernandez, Albur, Corella, Baclayon, Tagbilaran City, Cortes, Dauis, Panglao, Lila, Dimiao, Loboc, Sikatuna, Loay, Ubay, Carlos P. Garcia, Bien Unido, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Trinidad, Danao, Mabini, Candijay, Inabanga, Sagbayan, Clarin, Calape, San Isidro, Tubigon, Catigbian, Loon, Maribojoc, Antequera, and Calape.
However, Paracexpressed dismay over the policy being implemented at the Bohol Panglao International Airport.They were not allowed to stock the salt and aviation gasoline within the perimeter of the airport,causing delay in the operations.
He said the aviation gas has been stocked at the vacated Tagbilaran City Airport while the sacks of salt are deposited at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Capitol Annex Building, Dao, Tagbilaran City that need to travel for about 15 kilometers before it could be loaded to an aircraft for another sorty.
Parac said they were ward off by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) guards when they took shelter at the terminal building amid rainfall.
He said that he was disappointed on the treatment given to them by one of the government agencies considering also that they are working in the government discharging services for the good of the public.
The cloud seeding focal person disclosed that after the 45 hours CSOs being conducted, another 42 hours CSOs funded by the PGBh will commence immediatelyto have more supply of water in the dams to ensure that all Boholano farmers could plant rice this dry cropping season.
Bohol has the total rice area of 56,913.21 hectares (has.) of which 32,919.53 has. are rain-fed and 23,993.68 has. are irrigated. (AtoyCosap)

CLOUD SEEDING ON GOING. An aircraft is loaded with vacuum dried salt and aviation gasolineat the Bohol Panglao International Airportready for another seeding flight over the different parts of Bohol especially the watershed areas in order to produce artificial rain for the major dams in Bohol to ensure that all Boholano farmers could plant rice this dry cropping season. Foto: JUN PARAC

The closure of the Tagbilaran City Airport had caused a delay in the resumption of the Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) in the province of Bohol.
This surfaced after the aircraft being used in the seeding flight operation must be based at the Bohol Panglao International Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP) won’t allow that the vacuum dried salt and the aviation gasoline could be stocked within the perimeter of the airport.
Leon Parac, Jr. cloud seeding focal person said that stocking the salt and aviation gas outside the perimeter of the airport could really cause the delay in the operations considering the distance that could hamper the smooth operations.
Parac said that Gov. Edgar M. Chatto had already sent a formal letter to CAAP Central Office through Atty. Rafael A.Tatlonghari CAAP/Airport Manager, Bohol Panglao International Airport requesting the said office to provide space for free at the airport for the command center in the operations and for the salt stocking.
He said that the cloud seeding operation that was started last November 8, 2018, has caused rains to several towns in the province.
Engr. Donesa Autida from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported on their weekly monitoring of the four major dams in Bohol and they have noticed an increase in water level elevations.
She said that on Nov. 5 monitoring, the water elevation of Bayongan Dam in San Miguel was registered at 45.02 meters (ms.), Malinao Dam in Pilar (151.88 ms.), Capayas Dam in Ubay (35.71ms.), Talibon Dam in Talibon (27.2 ms.). While on Nov. 12, the Bayongan registered at 46.65 ms., Malinao (151.72ms.), Capayas (35.71 ms.) and Talibon (27.36 ms.).
And on Nov. 18, 2018 monitoring, the actual water elevation of Bayongan was 46.40 ms., Malinao (151.37), Capayas (35.89 ms.), and Talibon (27.51 ms.).
The registered a decrease of the water level of the Malinao Dam happened because the irrigation water was diverted to Bayongan Dam and consequently released to the service areas for land preparation.
However, the Technical Working Group (TWG) on El Niño and La Niña Task Force said that even though the province lately experienced rainfall brought about by Low-Pressure Area and Tropical Depression, Bohol still needs the CSOs so that the water elevations of the four major dams would reach to spill elevations.
Based on the Nov. 21 monitoring after the Tropical Depression Samuel, the actual water elevation of Bayongan was 42.42ms at par with the spill elevation of 52 ms., Malinao at 151.78ms. against 152 ms., Talibon at 27.51 ms. against the 30 ms. spill elevation, except for Capayas Dam where the water level is full at 36.50 ms.
Dr. Pamugas instructed the PAF personnel who accompanied the two pilots in the operations to dispense salt over the seedable clouds in any areas in Bohol and not to be selective only over the watershed areas as long as it would produce artificial rain that pours in the land areas in Bohol to ensure that the Boholano farmers could plant rice, corn and other agricultural products.
The 45-hour CSOs will be conducted in two rounds. The first round ran from Nov. 8, 2018, and supposed to end on Nov. 18; while the second round should have been conducted from Nov. 19 to Nov. 27, 2018. Another set of 42-hour CSOs sponsored mainly by the PGBh is set to start soon. (Atoy Cosap)

The Countryside Development Program – Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) implementation that brings goods and free services to the people down to the purok level cannot be stopped.
This, as CDP-PPM Technical Working Group (TWG) chairperson Liza M. Quirog said the program has already been institutionalized.
During the ProTeam Vertical Mobilization Reporting held at the Panda Tea Garden and Suites, Dao, Tagbilaran City last November 13, 2018, Quirog said that the CDP-PPM is a byword of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in delivering goods and services to the people because the approach being used is very effective.
She emphasized that the first CDP-PPM Vertical Mobilization established in Balilihan as the CDP-PPM framework is patterned from the Countryside Action Program (CAP) adopted in town in 1988 when Governor Edgar M. Chatto was the municipal mayor ofBalilihan.
Quirog explained that in the vertical mobilization the town has created its own TWG composed by the representatives from the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Army (if there is an army detachment in town)that would follow the CDP-PPM concepts.
She added that once the vertical mobilization would be fully established the municipal TWG would organize the community organizers (COs) to do the ground works in the puroks to gather the issues and concerns of the barangay folks and facilitate the provincial and municipal assistance.
Quirog said the COs arealso tasked to organize the Sectoral Working Committees (SWCs) to help the barangay officials in sustaining peace and development in the purok.
The CDP-PPM TWG chairperson said that Balilihan is a learning place for empowering the people through the purok and always been a leader since Gov. Chatto was the mayor.
RufaUgay, head-secretariat, CDP-PPM bared that since 2011 there were about 150 barangays from the different towns in Bohol that had been conducted with the Agri-HEAT-IT Caravans and Mini-Agri Caravans that benefited the barangay folks with the services: medical and dental outreach, distribution of food packs, mass feeding, distribution of vegetable seeds and coconut seedlings, animal health services (deworming and animal consultation), haircut, massage and circumcision.
Also in the implementation of the program, the turnover of carabaos, cows, goats, piglets, chicken, computer sets, hand tractors, mechanical threshers, plastic tables and chairs, water hose, water pumps, bolos among others.
The other weeks and over the weekend, series of Mini Agri-HEAT Caravanswere conducted in the different barangays in Balilihan of which the services have been most welcomed by the municipal and barangay officials and the barangay folks.
Gov. Chatto in his message said that the long dreams before to widen and concretize the barangay roads, to become the center for education and areas for vegetables and agricultural products are realized.
In his speech in Baucan Sur, Dorol and Datag, Balilihan, Gov. Chatto said the cementing of roads in BaucanSur to Sevilla, Datag Norte to Sikatuna, Dorol to Antequera and among other barangay roads leading to other municipalities some were already completed and some are almost completed.
Gov. Chatto said that in his quest to make his town a center for education he established the Bohol Island State University (BISU) Balilihan Campus, Congressional Library and Technical School Development Authority (TESDA) Training Center and the construction of several school buildings.
He informed Punong Barangay Susan Paña of Dorol and Dorol Elem. School principal Caroline Tagsik regarding the notice of approval for the P2.5 million worth of two classrooms in Dorol and 40 chairs for the school.
The governor also urged the barangay folks to produce more agricultural products in Balilihan to cater the needs of 1.3 million Boholanos and expected influx of the same additional number of people once the airport in Panglao would be in operation after being inaugurated on November 27, 2018.
Mayor Maria Puresa V. Chatto in her message asked the people of Balilihan to continue supporting the municipal and provincial governments for more developments to be brought into the barangays.
Gov. Chatto and MayorChatto led the distributions of sphygmomanometer and stethoscope to the barangays through the barangay health workers (BHWs) in Balilihan.
The barangay officials and the barangay folks expressed thanks and appreciation to the provincial and municipal officials. (AtoyCosap)

CDP-PPM ACTIVITIES. Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and wife Balilihan Mayor Maria Puresa V. Chatto (right photo) during the Mini Agri HEAT Caravan in Dorol, Balilihan last November 18, 2018 informing barangay folks regarding several projects from the provincial and municipal governments given to the barangay as CDP-PPM TWG chairperson Liza M. Quirog (left photo) emphasizes that the implementation of the program cannot be stoppedsince it has already been institutionalized. Rain doesn’t stop the barangay folks of San Isidro, Balilihan (center photo) last November 15, 2018 to receive food packs and other services from the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) thru the Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO).

The Department of Agriculture-Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (DA-BAPC) will conduct its 4th “PamaskongTabo” this coming December 4-5, 2018 at the grounds of B-APC, Dao, Tagbilaran City.
Beaming this year’s theme “Mag-uumaMagmalaumon Sa SuportaNgaMakanunayonNgaBisan Sa Nagkausab-usabNgaPanahonKanunayMadasigon,” the activity aims to strengthen the link of the farmers to the consumers and buyers in order to find better market options for the products of the assisted Palayamanan farmers and groups of civil society organizations under the Gender and Development Program of the DA.
Roman M. Dabalos, Station Head/APCO-Bohol APC said that part of the activity is the launching of the new products developed by the organizations they have been supporting.
Dabalos has invited more buyers into the two-day “PamaskongTabo.”
Opening preliminaries starts at 8:30 in the morning. Marina T. Hermoso, officer-in-charge – Regional Executive Director, DA-Regional Field Office (RFO) 7 will deliver her inspirational message while Dr. Fabio G. Enriquez, chief Research Division, DA-RFO7; Engr. Antonio S. Du, Chief Operations Division, DA-RFO7; Dr. Gerry S. Avila, OIC-Chief-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, and Dr. Larry M. Pamugas, OIC-Office of the Provincial Agriculturist will give their messages.
Dabalos will give the welcome message after the guests and participants will be acknowledged by Felix N. Tubiano, Head-PSS Unit while Celerina T. Galorio, Head- Research and Development Unit will give the rationale.
Dir. Hermoso will lead the ribbon cutting ceremony and the opening of the exhibits and product launching.
In the second day, the selling of products will be continued and the giving of awards and certificate of participation will be done during the closing program at 4p.m. (AtoyCosap)