Press Release

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) like any other offices in the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has implemented the “Skeletal Force Manpower” work arrangement.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Larry M. Pamugas explained that this work arrangement were the revision of what he has first requested Governor Art C. Yap last March 16, 2020 for a flexible work setup in the OPA. This is intended as an alternative to further lessen the number of employees reporting to work in the new capitol which means lesser number of people to monitor and lesser chances of virus transmission.
Pamugas further explained that this scheme has been implemented after being approved by Provincial Administrator Atty. Kathyrin Fe D. Pioquinto by authority of the governor but must observe and respect the normal office hours at the office to comply with the Civil Service Commission directive for the 40-hour work week.
ALTERNATIVE WORK ASSIGNMENTS
The approved alternative work assignments and guidelines in the homes implemented at the OPA state to allow all office-based employees including contractual and job order workers to work at home and perform agriculture and fishery-related tasks that may be assigned subject to further internal office guidelines such as but not limited to:
The field employees assigned in facilities nurseries and hatcheries shall remain dispensing or rendering their work during normal working hours subject to the social distancing measures that health experts suggests;
Bagging of soil media for seedlings at 200 bag per day, mangroves or fruit tree growing at a minimum of 10 trees a day, vegetable growing at a minimum of 20 hills per day either in containers or in plots, encoding of agriculture and fishery database, drafting of different OPA Information Education Communication (IEC) materials, technical staff will focus their job in their respective target areas, any office target that may be performed at home authorized by the immediate supervision;
All OPA employees working at home and facilities shall be obliged to keep their phone lines open for office actionable matters needing immediate attention; allow pregnant women and other employees with health concerns to strictly adopt the work at home performing whichever activity is applicable subject however to supervision of their immediate supervisor.
SKELETAL FORCE
The skeletal force or manpower assigned at the office in rotation basis shall be tasked to receive communications and tend to clients needing assistance. However, matters needing immediate action by specific personnel authorized to work from home shall be immediately communicated to such person and his/her immediate supervision for appropriate action, he said.
Pamugas said that an employee who has an important activity outside of these guidelines shall seek approval from his/her immediate supervisor prior to the performance of such.
The Assistant Provincial Agriculturist in the provincial government clarified that while these alternative work assignments may have adverse effect to our precious and official primary work targets and assignments, we also recognize that this COVID 19 crisis needs the most effective measures to resolve it altogether.
This means that we have to explore all our options to stop the spread of the virus through any means necessary and through minimizing the number of employees in office spaces, he added.
SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTION,
MITIGATION OF COVID-19
Last March 23, 2020, PA Pioquinto by authority of Gov. Yap issued a memorandum to all provincial officials, employees and workers regarding the supplemental guidelines for the prevention and mitigation of the COVID-19 stating to further take necessary steps in minimizing risk or to prevent, contain, and mitigate the possible transmission of the fast-rising horrific COVID-19 in the communities, thus alternative work arrangement in the PGBh is being implemented.
It stated that the Department Head/Head of Office/ Chief of Hospital is directed to organize a scheme that is applicable and customized to the nature of its office services; flexible work schedule of not earlier than 7 a.m. and not later than 7 p.m. is allowed as far as practicable, except those on 24/7 duty; work from home arrangement shall be approved by the department head, head of office and chief of hospital as recommended by the division heads based on applicable and agreed upon work load deliverables.
WORK FROM HOME
In making schedules and priorities in “Work From Home” arrangements, the following would take into consideration: categorized as senior citizen employees (ages 60 and above); pregnant and lactating mothers; employees with the following health circumstances: cancer, diabetes type 1 & 2, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal disease, immune-compromised among others; maintain a skeletal staff of not more than 50% daily to decongest the office, maintain social distancing and a mandatory wearing of face mask; temporary suspension in the use of biometric machines in recording employees’ attendance in office retroactive March 16, 2020 until April 30, 2020.
Wearing of office uniforms is optional for employees’ convenience but shall be on appropriate business attire considering the scarcity of means of transportation in going to and from their respective offices wherein many opt to reach their offices by just walking than waiting for a vehicle;
And a Work From Home accomplishment shall be required by the department head, head of office and chief of hospital and concerned employee shall be on call anytime during working days when services so require, otherwise, the privilege accorded to the employees would have been abused to the prejudice of public service.
In the quest that the province of Bohol and the new capitol are free from the spread of virus, Dr. Pamugas always reminded the division heads of OPA to monitor the health of each employee of which anyone who has flu like symptoms (fever, cold, or cough) should not be allowed to report to work and the heads shall be held responsible for any lapse of his directive.
Pamugas emphasized that the normal office operations shall be restored immediately once the situations become normalize and a subsequent proclamation from the office of the governor be issued. (Atoy Cosap)

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Provincial Government of Bohol and the coconut farmers are bracing against the possible full-blown infestation of coconut leaf beetle (Brontispa Longissima) to coconut plantation in the province to curb if not totally control the damage.
Emiliano Romero, Bohol Provincial PCA Manager, quoting the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network data, said the coconut leaf beetle is one of the most damaging pests of coconut and other palms.
The larvae and adults of the beetle feed on the soft tissues of the youngest leaf in the center stem of the palm. Affected leaves dry up, resulting in stunting of the palm and reduced nut production. Prolonged attacks on young palms can lead to decay.
Romero said that almost all towns in the province of Bohol have been infested especially the newly planted coconut tree, however, at a minimal stage.
The PCA manager in the province said that farmers whose coconut plantations are affected by the palm leaf beetle were given parasitoid (biological control agent) cultured at their laboratory in Loay, Bohol to control the spread of the beetle.
According to an Asian-based palm research institute, biological control by using parasitoid, predator and entomopathogenic fungus has a good chance to depress population of B. longissima in the field. Pest control by using natural enemies is not as popular as using pesticide. Biological control would decrease the use of insecticides. Therefore, it has a good impact on the environment. Additionally, this practice has a long-term impact to depress or manage the pest population on coconut plantation in low level of palm damage.
Romero further explained that the coconut leaf beetle was accidentally brought here in the Philippines through ornamental importation from the affected countries abroad.
AREAS PLANTED WITH COCONUT
The province of Bohol has 104,000 hectares (has) of coconut plantation and increasing with the continued re-planting program of the PCA to include participatory coconut planting, coconut seedling dispersal, and accelerated coconut planting and rehabilitation programs.
In the coconut seedling dispersal program, the farmers were given coconut seedlings by PCA for them to plant while the participatory coconut planting program requires the farmers to plant utilizing their own seedling and they would be paid by the PCA at P45 per stabilized coconut seedling.
On the other hand, the accelerated coconut planting and rehabilitation program is another program of which the farmers were given the coconut coir based organic fertilizer.
Romero bared that in the re-planting program, the province has an average area of 1,200 has. planted annually.
COPRA PRICE
In the present condition that the buying price of copra is P70 per kilo, Romero suggested that coconut farmers become entrepreneurs by utilizing the whole nut. They can sell eight months old young nut and process these into dried coconut chips. The nine months old nut demands higher prices. This can be an alternative from solely depending on copra.
Romero said the income of the coconut farmers in the Philippines have been greatly affected by low prices of copra in the international market which also dictates the prices in local markets because of so many competitors in the source of edible oil such as oil palm, soya beans among others.
He said that copra industry in the country is not locally but internationally market driven commodity with 70% exportation and only 30% domestic usage and as such if the prices are shaken the income of the farmers would be greatly affected.
Romero said this is a reverse situation in other countries where exportation is only 30% and the domestic usage is 70%.
ILLEGAL CUTTING
The PCA manager said that the campaign to go against the illegal cutting of coconut trees has no letting up.
In fact, he said that there are three violators from the towns of Loboc, Sikatuna, and Getafe who are convicted.
In Loboc, the chainsaw operator was sentenced to two years of imprisonment and in Sikatuna the culprit has meted a fine of P100,000 and imprisonment of two years while in Getafe a couple was convicted of which the wife had paid a fine of P100,000 and the husband has served two years of imprisonment.
Romero urged the Boholanos to refrain from illegal cutting of coconut trees, and instead engage in re-planting program activities of the plant species coined as “The Tree of Life.” (Atoy Cosap)

BRONTISPA INFESTATION. Deadly Brontispa Longissima or coconut leaf beetle (photo below) attacks the coconut tree through the soft tissues of the youngest leaf in the center stem resulting in stunting of the palm and reduced nut production and the prolonged attacks on young palms can lead to decay and eventually die. Emiliano Romero (inset), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) manager in Bohol, however, says that the infestation of the coconut leaf beetle in the province is minimal.

In an effort to rehabilitate the already non-productive mango fruit trees aging 20-28 years in the province of Bohol, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has lauched the Mango Fruit Trees Rehabilitation Projects last Wednesday in Macaas Nursery, Macaas, Tubigon, Bohol.
Reinerio Makinano for and in behalf of Governor Art C. Yap together with Mario Silagan, Municipal High Value Commercial Crop coordinator; Jannes D. Cantones, Officer-in-Charge, Municipal Agriculture Office-Loon; Gertrudes S. Fuentes, Head, Crops Division – OPA; and Rufa S. Ugay, Head, High Value Commercial Crop Development Program(HVCCDP) Section – OPA led the turned over of chemicals, flower inducer and organic fertilizers to mango growers through Eduardo Anga, president, Mango Growers and Service Provider Association (MGSPA).
Makinano said that Bohol needs more mango fruit production to answer the demand of the growing population of the Boholanos and the influx of tourists who have come in the province being a tourist destination.
He said the PGBh under the Yap and Relampagos administration has been looking forward to expand or sustain the mango industry in the province, thus these projects have been established by undergoing rehabilitation of the mango trees aging 20-25 through pruning, applying organic fertilizer and flower inducer.
MGSPA pres. Anga thanked the PGBh for giving them the inputs to include the technology on how to grow mango trees.
Ugay gave the statement of purpose and technical briefing and demo on pruning and fertilization to the mango growers.
She said that those non-bearing fruits mango trees can be rehabilitated in order to bear fruits through pruning and applying fertilizers and flower inducer.
Mayor William Richard Jao of Tubigon also thanked the provincial government that in his town the Mango Fruit Trees Rehabilitation Projects had launched.
Mayor Jao said that in Tubigon there are so many non-productive mango fruit trees that need to be rabilitated.
In the ceremonial turn-over Fuentes delivered her welcome message while Silagan formally closed the program. By Atoy Cosap

CAPTION: LAUNCHING AND CEREMONIAL TURN-OVER. Reinerio Makinano for and in behalf of Gov. Art C. Yap leads the turn-over of organic fertilizers, chemicals and flower inducers to the mango growers last Wednesday at the Macaas Nursery, Macaas, Tubigon, Bohol during the launching of the Mango Fruit Trees Rehabilitation Projects of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh). Photo by Queenie Atup-OPA

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has been determined to boost the Ubi industry in the province.
Dr. Larry M. Pamugas, Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) during the special meeting of Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) in his office at the capitol last Wednesday said that a total of 25,294 kilos of Ubi planting materials worth P2.5M has been procured by the PGBh from the 2019 budget for Ubi dispersal.
Dr. Pamugas bared that the Las Suerta’s Fruit Trees Nursery, the supplier that based in Don Carlos, Bukidnon had delivered last Wednesday the 12,167 kilos of Ubi tubers and the remaining 13,127 kilos will be delivered momentarily.
Pamugas said that Gov. Art C. Yap is determined to boost the Ubi industry in Bohol.
He said the Ubi planting materials would be given to the members of BUGA and during harvesting time they have to return back to the provincial government the Ubi tubers produced equivalent to the number of kilos of the planting materials they acquired.
The OIC-OPA added that a subsidy of organic fertilizer will be given to the Ubi grower who could plant 1,000 kilos or above of Ubi.
Pamugas urged the Boholano farmers to engage in Ubi farming because it entails low production cost compared to the production cost of planting rice.
According to Rufa Ugay, High Value Commercial Crop Development Program (HVCCP) Coordinator, Crops and Production Division, OPA said that in one hectare of land area there are about 3,200 kilos of Ubi tubers could be planted at 10 setts per kilo of planting material.
Gertrudes Fuentes, chief- Crops and Productivity Division –OPA, bared that the tons of Ubi planting materials have been stocked at the vacated old ancestral house of Esmeraldo “Ondoy” Maligsa, the president of BUGA and at his garage in Pandol, Corella.
Fuentes and Maligsa urged the Ubi growers to get the planting materials enough for their planted areas to decongest the stocked areas so as to accommodate for another delivery.
They encouraged them to plant Ubi of at least ¼ of a hectare while they also stressed that most of the planting materials will be planted at the identified Ubi Demo Farm in Pandol, Corella.
Dr. Pamugas said that with this program Gov. Yap is expecting that on the next Ubi Festival come January more Ubi tubers will be produced and displayed for selling.
At present, the Boholano farmers could not answer the demands of big volumes of Ubi tubers from traders because the production is low.
It may be recalled that on July 1, 2019, on his second day of service as governor, Yap invited Philip Young, a trader based in Manila to attend for an investment forum together with the BUGA officers, Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers, HVCC Technicians and division chiefs of OPA held at the Panda Tea and Garden, Dao, Tagbilaran City.
In the forum, Young could not get the assurance from the Ubi growers when he asked them if they can supply his demands of tons of kilos of Ubi at P30 per kilo.
BUGA president Maligsa said that aside from being lack of Ubi production the price is very low.
He said the production cost of Ubi is P26 per hill that would usually produce at least one kilo. So if the buying price ofYoung is P30 only P4 per kilo would go to the farmers which is unfair on their part even though that the orders are in volume.
Last 20th Ubi Festival on January 28-31, 2020 held at the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (BPAC) Ground, Dao, Tagbilaran City, the Ubi Kinampay was sold at P80, Baligonhon (P70), and P60/kilo for all the white varieties of Ubi.
However, Maligsa explained that the prices can be lowered if the orders or demands are in big volume but not less than P40/kilo. (Atoy Cosap)

UBI PLANTING MATERIALS. The tons of kilos of Ubi planting materials loaded on a 10-wheeler truck (left photo) from Las Suerta’s Fruit Trees Nursery in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, the supplier, last Wednesday are ready to unload for stocking at the garage owned by Esmeraldo Maligsa, Ubi growers president, in Pandol, Corella while Dr. Larry Pamugas (right photo) explains to the Ubi growers on how to acquire the planting materials and expand the planting areas of Ubi in Bohol. Foto: GERTRUDES FUENTES-OPA

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) is fast tracking to conduct an evaluation to all nominees of the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon to come up with the winners which would be the officials nominees for Bohol to the different categories of the Gawad Saka Search at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) 7 in Cebu City.
Helen Igot, section head-Institutional Division Section (IDS) – Agribusiness Division, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) bared that the DA-RFO7 has been waiting the nominees from Bohol for them to start immediately the evaluation for all the nominees from Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Cebu and Bohol.
Dr. Larry M. Pamugas, Officer-In-Charge, OPA after the 20thUbi Festival which was celebrated last January 28-31, 2020 requested all concerned SUHID evaluators to focus their activities in the evaluations so as the province could submit its nominees to the regional search within this month or early next month.
Since February 3, 2020, the SUHID evaluators from National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Provincial Field Office, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office – Department of Agriculture (PATCO-DA), Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), and OPA have been doing the evaluations to the 108 nominees for the 27 categories of the provincial search.
The SUHID categories are the following: Rice Farmer (adopting integrated farming), Outstanding Fisherman, Large Animal Raiser, Small Animal Raiser, Fisherfolks (fresh water fish pond), Rice Technician, Outstanding Farmer (fish culture), Coconut Farmer, Rural Improvement Club, Outstanding Agri-Enterprise for Crops, Outstanding Agri-Enterprise for Fishery, Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council, Corn Farmer (adopting integrated farming).
Fisherfolk Association, Corn Technician, Farm Family, HVCDP Technician, Livestock Technician, Municipal Agriculturist/ Agricultural Officer, Fishery Technician, HVCC Farmer (vegetable), Hybrid Rice Farmer, Farmer’s Association, Young Farmer, Rural Woman, Banana Farmer, & Outstanding 4-H Club.
The winners of these categories would automatically be the official nominees for Bohol in the GawadSaka Search this year.
Last year Gawad Saka Search, the nominees from Bohol bagged 18 of the close to 30 categories of the search.
The Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon is an annual search in the province of Bohol recognizing and awarding the Boholano farmers who have excelled in their field of agriculture. (Atoy Cosap)

Caption:
SUHID EVALUATION. Rosanna G. Lamdagan, Chief, Agribusiness Division, OPA (3rd from left photo) leads the evaluation of the SUHID nominees for Outstanding Agri-Enterprise for Crops category; the Badiang Self-Help Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BASHMUCO) in Badiang, Anda and Canjulao League of Women (CLOW) in Canjulao, Jagna last Wednesday.

Envisioning to enhance this year’s Sandugo celebration to make it more colorful than the previous years, it is most appropriate that the preparations for this month-long annual cultural celebration in July which the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) will host must start this early.
This was the statement issued by Provincial Administrator Atty. Katherine Fe D. Pioquinto as she presided over the first coordination meeting for the 2020 Sandugo Festival last Tuesday at Café Caloy Conference Room (CPG Heritage House), Tagbilaran City.
According to Atty. Pioquinto there’s a need to introduce or discover new ideas and more efficient coordination of the different activities to ensure a successful hosting of this year’s grand event.
Pioquinto and Rev. Fr. Valentino U. Pinlac, chairperson, Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) Council, said the grandeur the better for July activities.
They said that Gov. Arthur C. Yap has wanted that the Sandugo Festival would highlight the first treaty of friendship that happened in Bohol.
As a result, it was agreed during the meeting that a three-day Festival Management Workshop is conducted on February 27, 28, 29, 2020 as suggested by Lutgardo L. Labad, Section Head (Arts), BACH Council.
Labad said the province through BACH of which Gov. Yap is the Honorary Chairperson would invite somebody from National Center for Culture and Arts (NCAA), Department of Tourism (DOT) and organizers of the Sinulog in Cebu City, Dinagyang in Iloilo and Masskara in Bacolod City so as to come up with a design in this year’s celebration.
Also in the meeting that different activities have lined-up to savor the month-long celebration of Sandugo showcasing the rich culture in Bohol namely; Street Dancing, Miss Bohol, Trade Fair, 7 Arts Festival, Agri-Fair and Food Fusion.
The 7 arts has focused on music, architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, film and performing arts; exposure and training programs through local shows, competition and train the trainers program; partnerships for the 7 arts; developing the arts and crafts industry; publication; strengthening escuela taller partnership; integrating 7 arts in school and out of school activities.
Former Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio at the first part of the meeting reported the usual activities in the celebrations of the Sandugo Festivals such as; Sandugo Street Dancing, Miss Bohol Sandugo, Trade Fair, Agri Fair, Food Fusion, Bohol Pob Music Festival, Bohol Kayaking and Dragon Boat.
Damalerio suggested that it is important to establish a focal person in every activity.
Atty Lucas Nunag, Provincial Tourism Council, said that there’s a need to have a proper media exposure of the event. (Atoy Cosap)

EARLY BIRD CATCHES WORM. It seems that this saying has been adopted by the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) as this early that barely five months to go before Sandugo Festival as Provincial Atty. Kathyrin Fe D. Pioquinto (extreme right) presides the first coordination meeting for the 2020 Sandugo Festival on July envisioning to enhance this year’s celebration.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar will grace the opening of the 20^thUbi Festival in Bohol slated on January 28-31, 2020 to be held at Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (BAPC), Dao, Tagbilaran City.

The entire event will kick off with a motorcade at 8 a.m. with the following route: New Capitol Building – CPG Avenue – J.A. Clarin – Tamblot St. – B. Inting Extension – City Hall down to BAPC.

According to Larry M. Pamugas, officer-in-charge, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) said DA Sec. Dar will deliver his inspirational message, while Governor Arthur C. Yap and acting Governor Rene L. Relampagos will give their messages, while messages of support would be given by Representative Edgar Chatto (1^st District), Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentato (2^nd district), Rep. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor (3^rd district), and Atty Salvador D. Diputado –Director, DA-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)7.

The DA Secretary within the program will lead the handover/turnover of agri-machineries, inputs, projects; signs the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Province of Bohol and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) for the establishment of the proposed Soils and Water Laboratory and the Extension Services in Bohol; and also signs the MOA for Entrepreneurial (E-GPP) GulayansaPaaralan (DA, DILG, DepEd).

Sec. Dar together with Gov. Yap and Acting Gov. Relampagos would lead the ribbon cutting and opening of exhibits to be assisted by Acting Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor D. Balite, Board Member RickyMasamayor, all Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” L. Yap.

After lunch, Dar will travel to Dumaguete for the farmers’ dialogue and turn-over of projects before he will fly back to Manila at 6:30 p.m.

The Ubi Festival would be highlighted with different contests such as motorcade,Ubi eating, booth and highest volume of Ubi display to be conducted on the first day of the event right after the ribbon cutting; while the bugnosarondalya, Ubibalitaw and doble kara, and pinaka contests would be done on the second day, and the best new Ubi processed product contest will be conducted on the third day.

The winners of the Ubi Festival 2020, GulayansaPaaralan 2019, and Bahay Kubo 2019 will be awarded and recognized during the closing and awarding program in the afternoon of January 31, 2020 still at BAPC Ground of which Gov. Yap will lead the giving of awards and recognition.

The Ubi Festival has been institutionalized in the Province of Bohol through an approved ordinance to recognize and award the Boholano farmers who have sustained the Ubi industry in the Province.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “Ang Kabatan-onangBol-anon AtongDisigon, Arong Ang Industriya Sa UbiMagpadayon, Ug Turismo Maaswagon. (AtoyCosap)

The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) has remained to be aggressive in pursuing the illegal fishers and all other forms of illegal activities within the coastal waters and in all areas of responsibility in the province of Bohol.

This was the statement issued by Police Lieutenant Coronel (PLt. Col.) Jimmy Aguisanda, Provincial Deputy for Administration, BPPO in lieu of Philippine National Police Provincial Director Police Coronel Jonathan Cabal when he gave the closing remarks during the Bohol Coastal Law Enforcement Council (CLEC) Oath Taking of Officers and Awarding Ceremonies last Thursday held at the Pavillion Hall, Panda Tea, Dao, Tagbilaran City.

PLt. Col. Aguisanda accounted that last year, the Bohol PNP had recorded a 15% increase in their police operations against illegal fishing, and a significant 62% increase of cases filed in court against apprehended illegal fishers as compared to 2018.

Aguisanda added that also in 2019, they successfully apprehended 357 illegal fishers and confiscated more than 10 million (P10,834,700) worth of fishing and paraphernalia.

He further said that the BPPO will never give up in their concerted collaboration because they have so much to do together in furthermore of peace and order as he highly welcomed the bold step taken by the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) at strengthening coastal law enforcement through a multi-sectoral, multi-agency and multi-strategy approach.

Aguisanda extended his deep gratitude to the provincial government for the success of this endeavor that would not be possible without the unparalleled support, trust, coordination and collaboration of the coastal law enforcement agencies and the Local Government Units (LGUs).

The Provincial Deputy for Administration –BPPO asked all the Boholanos to continue working towards the common goal of preserving and maintaining peace and order in the province of Bohol.

On his part, Board Member (BM) Aldner Damalerio for and in behalf of Gov. Arthur C. Yap and Vice Gov. Rene L. Relampagos in his message said that the PGBh has continued to strengthen the coastal law enforcement for the good of the Boholanos not only for today but also for the next generations to come.

BM Damalerio lauded the concerted efforts of all the coastal law enforcers in sustaining the protection and conservation of our Bohol waters and coastal areas.

Damalerio within the program administered the oath-taking of the officers of the eight clusters of CLEC and also led in the giving of awards and recognition to the Best Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Coastal Law Enforcement (CLE) and turned over of checks for CLEC financial assistance.

CLEC OBJECTIVES

Jovencia B. Ganub, Head-Bohol Environmental Management Office (BEMO) in her statement of purpose stated that consistent with the development, the PGBh is committed to protect and sustainably manage our coastal environment and ensure that coastal law enforcement is strengthened by capacitating and empowering our communities and capacitating smaller sectors of city/LGUs which have more direct contact with various stakeholders sharing the same resources as well as issues and concerns.

Ganub added that the PGBh is convinced that the most effective means of engaging the community to strengthen coastal and maritime security is through the purok system.

She defined that the coastal law enforcement as a basic service of local government incorporates all the local government powers and responsibilities including planning, protection, legislation, regulation, revenue generation, enforcement, inter-governmental relations, relation with people’s and non-government organizations, extension and technical assistance.

Under the R.A. 7160, the LGU is tasked as primarily responsible for coastal and fishery resources management within the municipality waters. While the national agencies like Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection and other law enforcement agencies, together with the PGBh through the BEMO and NGOs have key supporting roles in the coastal law resources management processes.

CLEC ESTABLISHMENT

In 2000, a coastal law enforcement summit was conducted during the incumbency of then Gov. Rene L. Relampagos and then Vice Governor Edgar M. Chatto. The output of the summit was the creation of the CLEC per district thru a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by all coastal mayors and CLEC partners to focus on the resolution of violations within municipal water, Ganub bared.

She said the coastal law enforcement initiatives have evolved through time and as such the 2nd Bohol Coastal Law Enforcement Summit conducted in 2015 saw the needs that CLEC strategies on law enforcement have to adjust to the changing times by enhancing the 3 congressional districts to a more responsive approach by clustering the 30 coastal LGUs into smaller clusters increasing the clusters from 3 to 8 clusters through an Executive Order (E.O) issued by then Gov. Chatto.

Ganub bared that Gov. Art C. Yap likewise supported this initiative and he issued E.O. No. 50 series of 2019 reconstituting the CLEC and likewise strengthening the MPA to scale up and form networks based on the existing CLEC clusters set up to maximize enforcement support.

CLEC OFFICERS AND AWARDEES

The officers of the eight clusters of CLEC who took their oath of commitment last Thursday before BM Damalerio were the following: CLC I – Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap II, Tagbilaran City; CLEC II – Mayor Elvi Peter L. RElampagos, Loon, Bohol; CLEC III – Mayor William R. Jao, Tubigon, Bohol; CLEC IV- Mayor Fernando B. Estavilla, Pres. CPG, Bohol; CLEC V – Mayor Constantino H. Reyes, Ubay, Bohol; CLEC VI – Mayor Conrada C. Amparo, Duero, Bohol; CLEC VII – Mayor Katrina Lim, Valencia, Bohol; CLEC VIII – Mayor Hilario L. Ayuban, Loay, Bohol.

The awardees for the best MPA and CLEC who received cash and plaque of recognition were: LGU Loon – Best Municipal Coastal Law Enforcement (MCLECT) P50,000; CLEC Cluster 2 (Loon, Calape, Maribojoc, Cortes) – Best Coastal Law Enforcement Council (CLEC) P50,000; LGU Talibon – Best LGU Supportive of MPA – P50,000; Mr. Epifanio Gultia Jr. BFAR – Best CRM Practitioner Government Partner – Individual Category – P8,000; PCOL Jonathan A. Cabal – PNP-BPPO, Provincial Director – Best CLE Practitioner – Government Category – P8,000; Andre Glenn M. Mangubat 703rd PNP Maritime Police – Best CLE Support Institutions Government Category – P8,000; PEMS Noel Rogelio G. Avenido 703rd PNP Maritime Police – Best CLE Practitioner Gov’t Sector (Individual Category) – P8,000; Dr. Samuel J. Gulayan BISU – Best Research on MPA – P8,000. Title; Coral Transportation Technology for Sustainable Fisheries & Underwater Tourism); PMaj Jacinto C. Mandal Jr. PNP-BPPO – Best Chief of Police (COP) – P8,000; and LGU Anda, Teofilo Barrete – Best Police Environmental Desk Officer (PEDO) – P8,000. (Atoy Cosap with reports from Villa I. Pelindingue and Bersarie Garcia)

BOHOL CLEC IN ACTION. Police Lieutenant Coronel Jimmy Aguisanda ( left above inset photo), Provincial Deputy for Administration, Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) in lieu of Philippine National Police Provincial Director Jonathan Cabal during the Bohol Coastal Law Enforcement Council Oath Taking of Officers and Awarding Ceremonies last Thursday at the Pavillion Hall, Panda Tea Garden, Dao, Tagbilaran City says the BPPO remains to be aggressive in the fight against illegal fishers; while Jovencia Ganub, Head- Bohol Environmental Management Office (BEMO) and Board Member Aldner R. Damalerio for an in behalf of Gov. Art C. Yap and Vice Gov. Rene L. Relampagos (above inset photos) emphasize how the provincial government works to strengthen the environmental coastal laws to protect the coastal areas in Bohol.  

The “Giving Tree Project” of the Sta. Cruz Parish, Dao, Tagbilaran City has continued to bear fruits every 24th day of December since 2005 as the donors have continued to pour in cash and in kind for the identified recipients.
Marietta “Neneng” L. Corales, the founder of the project bared that there were 311 beneficiaries received the Christmas gifts for the nochebuena during the simple but fitting program held last Tuesday afternoon inside the Dao Sta. Cruz Parish Church.

The giving of the Christmas gifts was done after the Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Areston V. Limocon, the parish priest, at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

Corales expressed elation that the project has been sustained for 15 Christmases already which was started only with 25 recipients during the conceptualization of the project on 2005.

The founder thanked the donors who have been increasing every year to pour in cash or in kind for the deserving recipients in the parish.

Corales has a high hope that this program would be sustained because of the noble intention which is to share the blessing to others.

Dianne Sarsale for and in behalf of the recipients expressed thanked and gratitude to the founder, donors and to Rev. Fr. Limocon of what they received.

Sarsale said that she always pray to the Lord that on the next year of the project she will no longer be a beneficiary but already one of the donors.

Fr. Limocon in his inspirational message thanked the God Almighty and to all who have been instrumental for the success of the project which gives the real meaning of Christmas which is love, giving, and sharing.

He underscored the underscored the importance of the project as he asked the recipients to continue praying to God so as more blessings.

Fr. Limocon has been serving the Sta. Cruz Parish in Dao for about four years already.

Eufronia Bernados, chair, 15thGiving Tree Project Committee in his welcome message also thanked the donors for the blessings they shared to the beneficiaries.

Bernados warmly welcome the recipients as she emphasized that they are the inspirations of the donors to give more in another years to come of the project and hope that somehow some of the recipients would become the donors someday.

The Giving Tree Committee is composed by the following: chairperson – Bernados, Secretary Erlinda Puagang, Treasurer Evelyn Leyble; Jeremia Lagunda, Aurelio Luzon, Sr., Imelda Danila, Rose Maghinay, Lucia Gondong, Elsa Superales, Nerisa Simbit, Paz Amore, George Trinidad, Robin Cajes, Anecito Gultia, Cora Lumbres, and Susa Ayeng as members who represented for every zone.

Puagang who was the master of ceremony formally closed the program. (Atoy Cosap)

15TH GIVING TREE PROJECT. Rev. Fr. Areston V. Limocon (standing at the ambo), Parish Priest of Sta. Cruz Parish, Dao, Tagbilaran City in his inspirational message during the 15th Giving Tree Project distribution of the Christmas gifts to the 311 recipients last Tuesday inside the Dao Church thanks the Almighty Father, the sponsors, and to the founder of the project for the another success. Fr. Limocon has been serving the Sta. Cruz Parish in Dao, Tagbilaran City for about four years already.