Press Release

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of
the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is preparing for Ubi Festival in the early part of next year following
the minimum health standard protocols set by Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF).
The Ubi Festival is the annual activity of the provincial government aimed at giving awards and
recognition of the Boholano Ubi growers who have continued to engage in planting Ubi especially the
Ubi Kinampay.
Rosanna G. Lamdagan, Chief-Agribusiness Division, OPA said that usually that the festival be
conducted on the 3 rd week of January, however, this time of pandemic activities would be limited.
She said that during the Management Committee (ManCom) meeting of OPA last Monday presided
by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas it was agreed that the festival would be
celebrated for the duration of five days at the CPG Park fronting the Bohol Wisdom School, CPG North
Avenue, the ART Tabo sa Bohol venue with only three contests namely: Highest Volume Ubi Display,
Pinaka and Most Outstanding Ubi grower who is a member of Bohol Ubi Growers’ Association (BUGA)
unlike the past Ubi festival celebrations.
Last January 28-31, 2020, the festival was savored by the different contests with big prizes at stake to
wit: Best Booth, Ubi Eating, Literary & Musical Contests (BugnosaRondalya, UbiBalitaw, Doble Kara),
Pinaka, Best New Ubi Processed Product, and Highest Volume of Ubi Display contests.
The BUGA has now preparing their Ubi production to be sold at the festival.
EsmeraldoMaligsa, BUGA president said that few of the more than 150 members of BUGA scattered
in the 26 known Ubi towns in Bohol have started to harvest their planted Ubi.
Maligsa said that during their meeting last Wednesday held at the BUGA Ubi Demo Farm in Pandol,
Corella they agreed to reserve much of their harvests for the festival.
He said that the province could expect the big volume of Ubi tubers to be produced this harvest
season considering the big areas being planted with Ubi.
The association with the strong support given by the PGBh through the OPA has established a demo
farm in Pandol, Corella in an area of 1.2 hectares (has.) wherein this cropping season about .8 ha. of these
has been planted with the different varieties especially Kinampay.
Rufa Ugay, High Value Crop Development Coordinator, OPA said that in the Ubi Demo Farm during
the planting season on April and May about 12,100 kilos of Ubi planting materials had been given by the
provincial government to BUGA of which the BUGA president would be very grateful to the PGBh as he
also thanked the Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (PATCO) who also gave 300
kilos of Ubi planting materials.
The OPA has to outline any measures to ensure that the minimum health standard should be strictly
followed or implemented in this time of COVID-19 pandemic in the celebration of Ubi Festival’21.
(AtoyCosap)

BUGA PARTICIPATION. The Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) members lead by its President
EsmeraldoMaligsa has been very busy in constructing a rest house at the side of the BUGA Ubi Demo Farm
in Pandol, Corella to shelter for them to shelter in time when they harvest their planted Ubi next month.
Foto: GENARO JOHN MIGRIÑO-OPA Staff

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Center for
Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) are expecting that the Boholano farmers would incur low
cost of production this coming dry cropping season by December 2020 and January 2021 and high yield this coming
harvest season inn March 2021.
This developed after several agricultural machineries were turned over to the Farmers’ Cooperatives and
Associations (FCAs) in Bohol in the ceremonies conducted last October 8-9, 2020  held at the Bohol Agricultural
Promotion Center from the DA and PhilMech through its Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEP).
The farm machineries being distributed to the FCAs were: four-wheel tractors (16 units), hand tractors (39),
floating tillers (47), rice precision seeder (1), walk-behind rice transplanters (13), riding-type rice transplanters (4),
rice combine harvesters (13), rice reapers (17), rice threshers (21), and rice mills (7).
The recipients are Bentig-Farmers-Fishermen Association in Calape, Hagbuaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative
(Catigbian) in First District; LapacanNorte-Magkaya Farmers and Small Water Irrigators Association (Buenavista),
BontodCaluasan Irrigators’ Association, Inc. and San D Mil Irrigators’ Association, Inc. (Dagohoy), Danao
Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Danao), Santo Tomas Land Farmers Association and Banlasan Rural Improvement
Association (Trinidad), and Triple C & T Irrigators Association (Ubay) in Second District;
Bohol Bagasico Irrigators Association, Inc. (Alicia); Kangwasay Irrigators Association Inc. (Batuan), Cabacnitan
Farmers Association and Riverside Farmers Association (Bilar), Cadapdapan Farmers’ Association and Tugas
Farmers Association (Candijay); Lucky Mountain Farmers’Association and Nueva Vida Este Del Carmen Farmers’
Association (Carmen), Madua San Isidro Irrigators Service Association, Inc. (Duero), Canayaon – Manaba Irrigators
Association Inc. (Garcia Hernandez), Danicop Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative and Sta. Cruz Palayamanan
Farmer – Patners Association (Sierra-Bullones), and La Victoria Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Valencia) in
Third District.
During the ceremonial turnover last Friday, Atty. Salvador D. Diputado (Regional Executive Director, DA-
RFO7), Dr. Larry M. Pamugas (in behalf of Gov. Art Yap), Rep. Edgar M. Chatto (1st Dist. of Bohol), Rep. Erico
Aristotle C. Aumentado (2nd Dist.), Winston Bayron (in lieu of Congressman Kristine AlexieBesas-Tutor in 3rd
Dist.), Rodelo Divinagracia (read the prepared message of Baldwin G. Callorina, Director IV, PhilMech), Leidelyn
(Jai) Hinautan from the Office of the Senator Villar and Roman Dabalos, Center Chief, Bohol APC asked  the
recipients to take care of the farm machineries they had just received because the money being used to purchase
were taxes from the people.
Atty. Diputado said that we still have more machineries intended for Bohol but there are problems on shipment
due to strict implementation of health standard protocols set by the Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF).
Diputado stressed that they will conduct constant monitoring of all the machineries given and when proven that
the units are being neglected, the associations/cooperatives would be blacklisted and could no longer receive any
assistance from the DA especially farm machineries.
Dr. Pamugas said he is hopeful that this development could be a great help to the farmers because their
production costs would be reduced and the labor force would be minimized.
Rep. Chatto and Rep. Aumentado assured the Boholano farmers that as lawmakers they always make sure that
the DA through Sec. Dar would have a big share from the national budget for seeds, fertilizers, mechanization
assistance among others.
They also urged the farmers to take care on what they had received so that more assistance will be received in the
future from the government.
Bayron for and in behalf of Rep. Tutor cited the bill of the solon that aims to strengthen farmers’ associations as
he relayed the message of the congresswomen also urging the beneficiaries to take care of the farm machineries and
maximize its utilization.
Jallorina in his prepared message as read by Divinagracia stressed that deserved to be given priority in Central
Visayas is Bohol because the province has a great contribution in the food security of the country.
He emphasized that the RCEF-Mechanization Program of PhilMech aims to support the Filipino farmers to
increase food production and income.
Within six years of implementation, the program has also wanted to promote and introduce to the farmers the use
of farm machineries to modernize farming, he said.
Jallorina assured that the budget intended for the program would be properly used on its purpose and would not
go into the pockets of those who have personal interest.

He said “Be the best mechanized farmer group as you can be. So together, we can transform the future of
Philippine Agriculture.”
Senator Villar who chairs the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, and Sec. Dar on their video messages
also assured the Boholano farmers for their constant support to the Filipino farmers as they urged them to continue
supporting the plans and programs of the government.
Leidelyn Hinautan who represented Sen. Villar suggested to the associations/cooperatives to set aside funds to be
used in the maintenance of the equipments so that they could not encounter problems on whatever expenses incurred
if it will undergo repair.
As in response, Michael Garcia, Sr., chairman, Bagasico Irrigators Association in Alicia, Bohol and one of the
recipients thanked the PGBh, DA and PhilMech for the agricultural machinery support extended to them which is
truly indeed important in farming activities. (AtoyCosap)

TURNOVER CEREMONY. Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 7, Provincial Government of Bohol
(PGBh) and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) officials lead in
the ceremonial turnover of agricultural machinery to the Farmers’ Cooperatives Associations (FCAs) last
Friday to be held at the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (B-APC), Tagbilaran City.

Amidst COVID-19 pandemic, the Province of Bohol has been producing more locally grown
vegetables to cater the needs of the Boholanos that reducing the demands of supply coming from other
provinces for Bohol.
Rosanna G. Lamdagan, Chief-Agribusiness Division-Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) said
that most of the vegetables are being sold at the Agri-fishery Retail Terminal (ART) Tabosa Bohol at the
CPG Park fronting Bohol Wisdom School, Cogon, Tagbilaran City every Monday and Thursday;
Poblacion, Albur (every Tuesday), and in Poblacion, Dauis (every Wednesday and Sunday).
However, Lamdagan clarified that the province is still dependent on the supply of banana (lakatan),
cabbage and rootcrops from Bukidnon, and Cagayan; and spices from China, Nueva Ecija and Ilocos
Norte.
Lamdagan said that the vegetables produced by the Boholano farmers are eggplant, beans, squash,
sayote, ampalaya, opo, okra, pechay, and kangkong.
She added that even in the wet markets we can buy locally grown veggies.
Earlier, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas disclosed that during this crisis the
Boholanos, whose jobs have been affected by pandemic, are engaged in planting vegetables orin farming.
Pamugas said that the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the OPA has continued to
encourage the farmers to plant vegetables so as not fully dependent on the supplies from other provinces
as the OPA has continued to give veggies seeds.
RufaUgay, High Value Crop Development Program (HVCP) Coordinator, OPA bared that annually
the OPA has a regular budget and budget realignment for the purchase of veggies seeds.
Ugay said that this year’s budget amounted to P800,000 was already utilized or the seeds were being
distributed to the farmers who have demo-farm, semi-commercial assisted farm and walk-in clients at the
OPA.
She explained that to date, the seeds distribution at the OPA has been continued under the P700,000
calamity fund while awaiting the delivery of the already purchased seeds worth P360,000.
Ugay said that he noticed since August, September and this month the walk-in clients who have
trooped to the OPA to ask veggies seeds havebeen significantly declining compared to the months of
March, April, May and June when the province was under Enhanced Community Quarantine.
She suspected that the displaced workers due to the pandemic have already returned to work
considering that the business are gradually opened and they have no time already to engage in farming or
plant vegetables. (Atoy Cosap)

ART TABO SA BOHOL. Fresh agricultural products mostly from the Boholano farmers have been being sold
at the Agri-fishery Retail Terminal (ART) Tabo sa Bohol at the CPG Park fronting Bohol Wisdom School, CPG
North Avenue, Cogon, Tagbilaran City every Monday and Thursday of the week.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) like other departments of the Provincial Government
of Bohol (PGBh) conducted the tree planting activities in observance of the culmination of the 120 th
anniversary celebration of the Philippine Civil Service (PCS) last month.
The tree planting activities by the different departments were conducted separately which the OPA
had done a mangrove planting in Laya, Baclayon last Thursday.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas led the mangrove planting of almost one
hundred employees of the OPA.
Dr. Pamugas expressed elation on the activities as the PGBh is fast tracking to plant and grow 3
million trees including fruit trees and 4 million mangroves in three years.
The close to one thousand pieces of mangrove seedlings planted in Laya, Baclayon would add the
347,600 pieces of mangrove propagules and seedlings that had been planted as of Wednesday of the other
week since January this year.
Earlier, Remedios Regacho, Chief-Fishery Division, OPA reported that Island Barangay Cabul-an,
Buenavista has the highest number of mangrove propagules and seedlings planted this year that would
reach to 93,000 pieces (pcs.) followed by Nasingin Island, Getafe (60,000); San Francisco, Talibon
(50,000); Loon (21,000); Loay (13,000); Taguihon, Baclayon and Canigaan, Sandingan Island at 1,300
pieces each and other coastal municipalities in Bohol.
Also on the same day other employees planted coconut seedlings at Bohol Agricultural Technology
Center (BOATECH) in Gabi, Ubay and at the Balilihan Provincial Plant Nursery in Del Carmen Sur,
Balilihan.
The PGBh appreciated much the chief executives of the Municipal Local Government Units
(MLGUs) who have been helping the endeavor aimedat protecting coastal areas from big waves, to
control soil erosion, to serve as maintenance of fisheries or nursery ground of fish, and to filter sediments
from upland. (Atoy Cosap)
CAPTION.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas (extreme right) leads employees of the Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in planting mangrove seedlings in Laya, Baclayon last Thursday in observance
of the culmination of the 120 th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Civil Service last month.

Even though that the rice standings in the province of Bohol are in the dough and ripening to maturing stages, the
seeds for the Advanced Rice Technology (ART) 160 (hybrid rice) and ART 120 (inbred rice)  programs are now
ready for the cropping season next month.
Gertrudes Fuentes, Head – Crops and Productivity Division – Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and
Lorebien Lagapa, Provincial Rice Coordinator bared that the Department of Agriculture (DA) under its Rice
Resiliency Project (RRP) has allocated hybrid seeds good for 21,500 hectares (has.) of irrigated areas and PhilRice
under its Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) has allocated inbred seeds to be planted for 18,500
has..
According to Fuentes and Lagapa that aside from the hybrid and inbred rice seeds allocation, the DA and PhilRice
are likewise provided the fertilizer subsidy of which for every buy of two bags of Muriate of Potash Fertilizer the
farmer would be given three bags of Urea Fertilizer for hybrid rice and for every buy of two bags of Muriate of
Potash Fertilizer the farmer would be given also two bags of Urea Fertilizer for inbred rice.
The farmers would only present the receipts as proof that they could buy the fertilizer for them to avail the
fertilizer subsidy.
They said that the farmers need not worry regarding the rice seeds in the next cropping seasons because the
allocation of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), DA and PhilRice would increase next year.
During the Rice Technicians Coordination Meeting last Wednesday and Thursday at the 3rd Floor, Capitol
Building and at the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (BAPC) Dormitory Hall, Dao, Tagbilaran City
respectively, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas and Roman Dabalos, Head-Provincial
Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (PATCO) stressed the strong determination of the PGBh with the
collaboration of DA and PhilRice to boost rice production in the province of Bohol to retain its title as “Rice
Basket” in Central Visayas.
They underscored the importance of the Municipal Agriculturists/ Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs),
rice technicians and local officials as frontliners in agriculture in guiding and giving technical assistance to the
Boholano farmers.
Cecile Opada, DA-Regional Focal Person on rice program presented the updates on the rice programs in the
region amidst the COVID-19 pandemic of which Bohol has given the big allocation.
Dr. Pamugas bared that Bohol has 47,378 has. of potential rice areas and through the ART 160 and ART 120,
Governor Art C. Yap has a high hope that rice production here would be boosted.
Gov. Yap has strongly urged the Boholano farmers to plant hybrid rice on their tilled irrigated areas because it
produces high yield that would reach up to 160 sacks per has. and also to plant inbred rice for areas who have
reliable sources of water and rainfed which also shows good yield performance. (Atoy Cosap)

PREPARING THE RICE SECOND CROPPING. Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas
(2 nd from right) and Roman Dabalos (extreme right), Head-Provincial Agricultural Coordinating Office
(PATCO) have setting the tone for the next rice cropping season by October through assuring the Boholano
farmers for free hybrid and inbred rice seeds and fertilizers subsidy during the Rice Technicians
Coordinating meeting last Wednesday at the 3 rd Floor, New Capitol Building, New Capitol Site, Cogon,
Tagbilaran City.

In an effort to achieve the target this year, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is fast tracking to plant mangroves in the coastal municipalities in Bohol.
Remedios Regacho, Chief-Fishery Division-OPA accounted that of the one million mangroves target to be
planted this year, some 347,600 pieces of propagules and seedlings had been planted as of Wednesday since January
this year.
Regachobared that of these number of pieces, 93,000 were planted in Cabul-an, Buenavista; 60,000 Nasingin
Island, Getafe; 50,000 (San Francisco, Talibon); 43,000 (Macaas, Tubigon); 23,000 (Valencia); 22,000 (Calape);
21,000 (Loon); 13,000 (Loay); Taguihon, Baclayon and Canigaan, Sandingan Island, Loon at 1,300 pieces each, and
other coastal municipalities in Bohol.
She disclosed that the PGBh has appreciated much the chief executives of the Municipal Local Government
Units (MLGUs) who have been helping this endeavor like Mayor Dave Duallo of Buenavista who draws from his
own pocket just to hire workers to help the LGU employees, Cabul-an East Fishermen’s Association, and OPA staff
to plant thousand pieces of propagules and seedlings in Cabul-an Island.
However, she admitted that the one million target could hardly be achieved because of so many factors such as;
non-acceptance of some LGUs because the program actually has no labor components, and the difficulty in the
procurement of planting materials considering also that the mangrove propagules could only be available in the
months of June, July and August and not all year round.
In fact, Regacho said that she maximizes the services of her staff to plant the mangrove propagules and seedlings
and so with the bagging of mangrove seedlings and as such she appreciated most the LGUs whose employees would
lead and help in the planting activities.
This significant stride of the PGBh is very useful to our environment because according to Barner and other
known environmentalists and researchers the mangrove valuations are estimated as follows: raw materials and food,
coastal protection, erosion control, maintenance of fisheries or nursery ground of fish, carbon sequestration and
filters sediments from upland.

GREEN ADVOCACY

It may be recalled that in the green advocacy of Gov. Art C. Yap he launched the “Tree Growing Activity” of the
PGBh in Barangay Calanggaman, Ubay, Bohol last September 1, 2019 which aims to plant and grow 3 million trees
including fruit trees and 4 million mangroves in three years.
At that time, Gov. Yap together with the employees of the OPA, Bohol Environment Management Office
(BEMO), Education Development Center (EDCenter) and President Carlos P. Garcia Scholars planted the varieties
of fruit-bearing trees and trees in an area owned by Ubay Waterworks Service Cooperative (UWASCO) in
Calanggaman which is an adopted “Tree Growing Park” for CPG Scholars as part of their social responsibility.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that Gov. Yap is very determined to make Bohol green
by growing 7 million trees within his first term as governor.
Pamugas, however, emphasized that in this program, the PGBh has the guidelines to be followed so that our
efforts would not go into waste or couldn’t be called as “plant and forget activity.” (Atoy Cosap)
HITTING TARGET.The staff of the Fishery Division, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) lead in the
planting of mangroves in the different coastal municipalities in the province of Bohol in an effort to achieve
the targeted one million mangroves propagules and seedlings to be planted this year.

The Provincial Coconut Authority (PCA) has been instrumental to the coconut farmers in this time of
crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic by launching the programs that give incentives to them.
Bohol PCA Provincial Manager Emiliano Romero and PCA Senior Agriculturist Primo Galendez said
that they just met this year’s target of planting 398,000 coconut seedlings of the “Incentivized Coconut
Planting/ Replanting Project” formerly “Participatory Coconut Planting Project”.
They said the project would give incentives to coconut farmers that would reach the total amount of
P85 per coconut already planted and stabilized using his own good seedlings.
Under this program, a coco farmer is entitled to plant a maximum of 1 hectare (ha.) and a minimum
of ½ ha.
They said that they are now also preparing for the implementation of this program next year of the
same number of coconut seedlings to be targeted.
Romero and Galendez explained that even if they already completed the program for this year, the
coco farmers could still avail of the same incentives using another source of funds as granted under
Republic Act 8048.
They said that RA 8048 allowsto utilize funds coming from the collection of coconut cutting fees of
which under this they targeted to plant about 7,000 coconut seedlings or to be planted to 50 has. of coco
farm areas.
Romero and Galendez said that aside from this, there is another program of PCA that would also help
the coconut farmers in this time of crisis which is the “Banana Intercropping Project.”
They bared that this project promotes the planting of carnava variety of banana to intercropat the
coconut farm wherein a coconut farmer is entitled to plant a maximum of one ha. (200 banana plants) and
a minimum of ½ ha. (100 banana plants) at P25 incentive per banana planted.
They said that the listing to avail the program is now on going and what the farmers would like to do
is to contact the PCA agriculturists assigned in their areas or to visit to their Municipal Agriculture Office
in their respective towns to be listed.
This project has targeted 700 has. of coco farm to be planted with carnava variety of banana
throughout Bohol and this will be started within this year.
According to them, the province of Bohol has 104,000 has. of coconut farm wherein the bigger areas
have planted are located in Balilihan, Inabanga, Carmen, Catigbian, Loay, Lila, Valencia and other
coastal municipalities. (Atoy Cosap)
INCENTIVISED PROGRAM. Bohol PCA Manager Emiliano “Emil” Romero (extreme right) and PCA
Senior Agriculturist Primo Galendez disclose programs of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) giving
incentives to coconut farmers through “Incentivized Coconut Planting/ Replanting” and “Banana
Intercropping Under Coconut Farm” projects to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

The agricultural province of Bohol is free from Avian Influenza, otherwise known as “Bird Flu”.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie D. Lapiz during the “Tingog sa Mga Bol-anon Program” of the
provincial government last Friday said that even there  are no cases of Bird Flu in the province, measures to prevent
the entry of the virus have been strengthened.
“Tingog sa Mga Bol-anon Program” is aired every Friday, 8 a.m. to 9a.m.over DYRD.
Dr. Lapiz said that Bird Flu is caused by a virus, specifically coming from the highly pathogenic A (H5N6),
usually infecting bird and poultry and in rare occasion, it can cross contaminate from birds to humans.
She said that in an effort to prevent the possible entry of the virus to our province that could occur via exposure of
poultry to infected migratory birds, water fowl and sea bird or through direct contract with the importation of
infected or contaminated poultry, poultry products or fomites,  Governor Art C. Yap issued an Executive Order No.
40 “Adopting the National Protocol on Avian Influenza, otherwise known as “Bird Flu,” Protection Program and
creating a Provincial Task Force in the Province of Bohol that would take effect on August 5, 2020.
Dr. Lapiz stressed that the action of the governor came when there are sightings of migratory birds in barangays
Pantodlan, Cabacongan and Cabilao in Loon; Panggangan in Calape; Cogtong and Panas in Candijay; Buwangan,
Clarin; Dipatlong and Lincod in Maribojoc; Danao, Panglao; Malinao Dam in Poblacion, Pilar and in Talibon.
She said that based on regular surveillance the migratory birds had started to enter the mentioned towns in April
and this month they have also started to move going outside the province.
During their stay, the body secretions or dungs from infected migratory birds could contaminate the poultry farms.

PROGRAMS CREATED

The provincial government has adopted the 2016 National Avian Influenza Protection Program specifically the
pertinent provisions applicable to LGUs in the implementation of the protection program by creating the Provincial
Avian Influenza Task Force (PAITF) that composed the Provincial Executive Committee, the Committee on Animal
Protection, the Committee on Human Protection, and the Committee on Information, Education and Communication
(IEC).
The Executive Committee is tasked to provide policy direction and oversight function of the Bird Flu Task Force;
review and recommend preparedness and response plan; and identify and recommend sources of fund for the plan
while the committee on IEC shall ensure adequate awareness of the general public on matters and updates pertaining
to Avian Influenza.
The Committee on Animal Health Protection has the following components, viz: Surveillance Team which shall
conduct the regular surveillance and profiling of poultry disease in the identified priority areas in the province
specifically in places where sighting of migratory bird reported; wet market and poultry farms; Rapid Action Team
which shall carry out the immediate diagnosis of suspect premises and the initiation and implementation of the
stamping out procedure;
Quarantine Team shall ensure the implementation of the prescribed minimum bio-security measures in ports,
airports and poultry farms, the regulation and/or prohibition of animal movement, and document of in-coming and
out-going shipment of poultry, poultry products and birds;
And Census Team which shall conduct periodic identification and consolidation of data on poultry population,
kinds and location in the province.
Dr. Lapiz said that they strictly implemented the precautionary measures for the entry ofpoultry, poultry products
or fomites from other provinces to include the banning of entry of all poultry and poultry products coming from
Pampanga and Nueva Ecija who have been badly hit by the disease and also additional requirements to be required
such certificate from the Bureau of Animal Industry certifying that the poultry, poultry products have come from the
poultry farms that are Bird Flu free.
Lapiz disclosed that the other week, Gov. Yap had met the presidents of the Barangay Livestock Aide (BALA)
strengthening the measures against Bird Flu such disease poses imminent threat to the country’s poultry industry, to
the livelihood of the people and to food security of consuming public.
The provincial veterinarian said that like the COVID-19, the Bird Flu has no vaccine yet being produced/
discovered, thus following the protocols is a must. (Atoy Cosap)

STRENTHENING MEASURES.Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie D. Lapiz during the
“TingogsaMgaBol-anon Program” of the provincial government last Friday says that the Bohol continues to
strengthen its measures against the disease of poultry, poultry products or fomites even that the province is
free from “Bird Flu.”“TingogsaMgaBol-anon Program” is aired every Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. over DYRD.

Former Vice-Governor Atty. Dionisio Balite who is now the chairman of the Bohol Coconut Development
Council (BCDC) strongly urged the Boholanos to plant coconut as the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh)
through Governor Art C. Yap has included in his priority programs the expansion of coconut plantation in Bohol.
Atty. Balite issued the call when he delivered a message during the launching of Bohol COCOKADIWA Ni Ani
At Kita Outlet held at the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Provincial Office, this city last Thursday as one of
the activities in line with the current month-long celebration of Coconut Month.
Balite even urged the PCA employees to lead in planting coconut as they are working in the government office
tasked to improve the coconut industry.
He said that he made the call without fear of contradiction because he is a planter of coconut even that he is a
lawyer, politician and owned six big schools, the Bohol Institute of Technology (four in Bohol, one in Siquijor and
one in Butuan) as he stated “go beyond what you are now.”
Balite encouraged the coconut farmers to engage in the intercropping to make use of farm land under coconut
trees by planting agri-commodities, such as banana, cassava, sweat potato, corn, coffee and cacao; and even raising
cattle, pig, chicken, and ducks among others.
He bared that now when he has visitors, he wouldn’t offer soft drinks or coffee but coconut juice and plan not to
offer wine anymore during fiestas or any gathering but “bahalina”.
The former vice governor disclosed now that he heads the BCDC he is very determined to strengthen the coco
farmers’ organizations in the province as he already completed the conduct of consultative road show together with
the coco farmers’ presidents of the different municipalities in Bohol.
According to him, he wants to leave a legacy underscoring the importance of coconut that is why he is very
aggressive to revive and strengthen the coconut industry.
He hopes that his words be inculcated into the minds of the Boholanos especially the youth.
Board Member Ricky Masamayor, chairman – Committee on Agriculture of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of
Bohol who is also the member of the board of BCDC said that he has given 101% support to improve the coconut
industry in Bohol.
He told PCA-Bohol Manager Emiliano Romero not to hesitate to ask his office for whatever help he can extend,
be it a resolution or ordinance just for the good of the coconut farmers.
Masamayor admitted he had no love for agriculture because he has no background on it having grown in the city.
But when Gov. Yap and Vice-Governor Rene L. Relampagos choose him to hold the chairmanship of agriculture
committee and after rubbing elbows with the people in the agriculture sector he really felt love for agriculture.
PCA-Bohol Manager Romero in his welcome message thanked the BCDC for their strong support for the plans
and programs of PCA to strengthen and expand the coconut industry in the province.
Romero bared that his office in Bohol has lined up several activities to color the month-long celebration of
Coconut Month spearheaded by PCA Administrator Benjamin Madrigal, Jr.
This is to show that they are not sleeping on their tasks to help the coconut farmers, he said.
Romero said that the Bohol COCOKADIWA Ni Ani at Kita Outlet at his office serves as the venue where the
coconut by-products from the coconut farmers’ entrepreneurs can be sold such as: coco log, coco peat, calamay,
coco sap sugar, virgin coconut oil, bahalina, sukang puti (regular), sukang puti (spicy), sukang pula (spicy), and
sukang pula (regular).
Catalino Ordinario, Jr. who is the Small Coconut Farmers’ Organizations (SCFOs) chairman in region 7 and in
Bohol and member of board of BCDC said that the organizations have strongly supported the plans and programs
for coconut in the province.
Senior PCA Agriculturist Primo Galendez in his closing statement thanked the Boholano coconut farmers
especially the coconut farmer entrepreneurs who have given the chance to sell their products at the COCOKADIWA
ni Ani At Kita Outlet as a way of promoting their products.
Galendez invited the Boholanos to buy coconut products and by-products. He said, they are looking into
possibilities that this products can be sold at the ART Tabo sa Plaza in front of Bohol Wisdom School, CPG North
Avenue, Cogon, Tagbilaran City. (Atoy Cosap)

COCOKADIWA AT KITA OUTLET. Former Vice Governor Dionisio D. Balite (2 nd from right) who is also
the chairman of the Bohol Coconut Development Council (BCDC) and Board member Ricky Masamayor,
chairman Committee on Agriculture, Sangguniang Panlalawigan lead the ribbon cutting during the launching
of Bohol COCOKADIWA NI ANI KITA OUTLET at PCA Provincial Office, this city last Thursday assisted by the
PCA-Bohol Manager Emil Romero who also leads the current month-long celebration of Coconut Month and
Catalino Ordinario, Jr. president of small coconut farmers organizations in Bohol. PCA-Bohol Manager
Romero endorsing coconut by-products at the PCA Provincial Office.