Press Release

PGBh faces big challenge from El Niño

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is about
to face a big challenge in the coming months on its mandate for food sufficiency and security to feed the 1.4 million
Boholano populace because of El Nino.

During the Provincial Coordinating Committee on Agri-Fisheries (PCCAF) Coordinating Meeting last
Wednesday held at the Bohol Public School Teachers and Employees Association (BPSTEA) Building, Tamblot St.
Cogon, Tagbilaran City, Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said the PGBh under the administration of
Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado has already drawn some mitigating measures to minimize the impact of El
Nino into human lives, livestock, poultry and plants.

Provincial Agriculturist Quirog bared that the provincial government has already allocated P2.5M; while waiting
for the requested fund from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in the amount of P7.5M for the
conduct of Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) in Bohol.

She said that the provincial government also recommended to all Boholano farmers that after the harvest, they
have to make use of the opportunity of having rainfall this month of October to do immediately the land preparation
for the next cropping season.

The Provincial Agriculturist also asked the Boholanos to conserve the use of water because if based on the
forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric Geo-Physical Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) we will
experience drought in the coming months.

She encouraged the farmers to ensure their livestock and agricultural products to the Philippine Crops Insurance
Corporation (PCIC) to lessen the effects to their livelihoods for whatever happens if calamities like El Nino, and
typhoons among others.

Quirog thanked the Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs) for being always
with the provincial government in the quest for agricultural upliftment.

Leonardo Samar from PAG-ASA Radar Station in Albuquerque said in an interview that based on the PAG-ASA
assessment at the end of December 2023 Bohol will experience dry conditions or the province will experience two
consecutive months below normal rainfall conditions, end of February 2024 Bohol will be expected under dry spell
condition which means the province will experience three consecutive months below normal rainfall condition and
at the end of March 2024, the province will be expected to experience drought condition of which Bohol has
experienced five consecutive months below normal rainfall condition.

Samar explained that it does not necessarily mean that if we are under dry, a dry spell or drought we cannot
experience rain. There are still rains but there are reductions from average rainfall would happen. By Atoy Cosap

2nd Ubi Festival this year set

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will
conduct the second Ubi Festival this year on December 4-6, 2023 at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport, Cogon,
Tagbilaran City.

This could be the first ever that in a year there would be two festivals to be conducted as the first one was done
last January 26-30, 2023 at the Old City Airport, in this city.

This came after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol passed an ordinance in the second quarter this year
sponsored by 3 rd District Board Member Nathaniel Binlod who is a member of the SP Committee on Agriculture
declaring that the Ubi Festival be conducted on every first week of December of the year.

The passage of the ordinance superseding the SP resolution mandating that the Ubi Fest be conducted every
3 rd week of January of the year was an offshoot of the assessment that was conducted after the festival which BM
Binlod had attended and personally heard the suggestions from among the Municipal Agriculturists
(MAs)/Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs) and Ubi growers that the festival is ideally be done on every
December or earlier than January because that would be the harvesting time.

They also said that we could not expect a volume of Ubi products to be displayed on the January Festival
considering that during the yuletide season Ubi product is highly demanded in the market.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog earlier said that we will be adopting the real essence of a festival this
coming December festival that there would be Miss Ubi among others.

Bringing the theme “Ubi, Hamiling Lagutmon Kaabag sa mga Bol-anon Niining Hagit sa Panahon”, the
December Festival will be highlighted with Miss Ubi 2023 Pageant contest with prizes at the stake of which the 1st
prize would receive P25, 000, 2 nd prize (P20, 000), and the 3 rd prize (P15, 000) and at P10, 000 each as consolation
prizes for the 10 non-winning candidates.

Other contests with their corresponding prizes are Ubi Jingle (group): 1 st prize – P6, 000, 2 nd prize – P5, 000, and
3 rd -P4, 000 and P3, 000 each for 7 consolation prizes; Best Farmers Rondalla (group): 1 st – P10, 000, 2 nd – P8, 000,
3 rd – P6, 000 and at P5, 000 each for 7 non-winning groups as consolation prizes; Best Ubi Christmas Singing
Contest (group): 1 st prize – P6, 000, 2 nd – P5, 000, 3 rd – P4, 000 and at P3, 000 each for the 7 non-winning group as
consolation prizes;

Best Video Presentation: 1 st prize – P5, 000, 2 nd prize – P 4, 000, 3 rd – P 3, 000 and at P2, 000 each for 10 non-
winning entries as consolations; Best Ubi Float Parade: 1 st prize – P10, 000, 2 nd prize – P8, 000, 3 rd prize – P6, 000
and at P5, 000 each for 20 non-winning entries; Highest Ubi Sales: 1 st prize – P6, 000, 2 nd prize – P5, 000, 3 rd prize –
P4, 000 and at P3, 000 each for the 25 non-winning entries; Most Paticipative LGU: 1 st prize – P10, 000, 2 nd prize –
P8, 000, 3 rd prize – P6, 000 and at P5, 000 each for the non-winning participating LGU;

Pinaka on Different Ubi Varieties: Kinampay – P3, 000, Baligonhon – P2, 000, Kabus-ok – P2, 000, Tam-isan –
P2, 000, Binugas – P2, 000, Gimnay – P2, 000, Iniling – P2, 000, Binanag – P2, 000 and at P100 each for the 100
non-winning entries; Best New Ubi Processed Products: 1 st prize – P5, 000, 2 nd prize – P4, 000, 3 rd prize – P3, 000
and at P2, 000 for the 10 non-winning entries; and Best Re-Enactment-Ubi Cultural Practices: 1 st prize – P10, 000,
2 nd prize – P8, 000, 3 rd prize – P6, 000 and at P5, 000 each for the 10 non-winning entries as consolations.

Quirog explained that only this year we could celebrate 2 Ubi festivals because next year we will follow what
has been mandated in the ordinance which is every first week of December of the year.

She is expecting more Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) to participate in the fest. By Atoy Cosap

PBGh resounded the call touphold Anti-GMO Ordinance

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist resounded its
request to the municipal mayors of the 14 towns in Bohol who were the beneficiaries of the Genetically Modified
Organism (GMO) Corn seeds from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-7 to uphold or to take appropriate action of
ensuring the enforcement of Anti-GMO Ordinance in the province of Bohol.

This came after where only one of the 14 municipalities heeded the call.

Municipal Mayor Elizabeth Mandin Pace in the town of Catigbian, Bohol in her replied letter dated September
13, 2023 addressed to Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist has
conducted information dissemination to the farmers citing Provincial Ordinance No. 2003-010 also known as Anti-
GMO Ordinance and advising them to hold the production and no replanting will be done.

Mayor Pace justified that based on their Local Government Unit (LGU) programs and projects, they have not
purchased GMO corn seeds for their farmers, however, they only facilitated the distribution of corn seeds from the
DA and OPA.

Other towns who were identified by DA 7 as their beneficiaries of GMO corn seeds to wit: Clarin, Dagohoy,
Buenavista, Sikatuna, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Loon, Ubay, Valencia, Carmen, Alicia, Sierra-Bullones, Trinidad and
San Miguel.

Provincial Agriculturist Quirog in her letter addressed to the Bohol Mayors dated August 18, 2023, reminded
them about the implementation of Executive Order No. 30 officially signed by Governor Erico Aristotle C.
Aumentado last June 6, 2023 mandating the immediate recall of all distributed and planted GMO Corn across the
province of Bohol, while concurrently reactivating the GMO Monitoring Committee.

According to Quirog, our collective awareness of Provincial Ordinance No.2003-010 underscores the importance
of stringent measures aimed at safeguarding the health of the Boholanos and preserving the ecological equilibrium
of our beloved province. This ordinance, which outlines penalties for transgressions, serves as our guiding
framework in these endeavors.

She urged and encouraged all local chief executives to take swift action in implementing the pro- visions set
forth in E.O. No.30, effective immediately.

In her another letter dated August 31, 2023, addressed to the 14 mayors with attached lists of farmers in the
municipalities who allegedly cultivating GMO Corn, Quirog said that there has been a direct violation of the Anti-
GMO Ordinance as mandated by Provincial Ordinance No. 2003-010.

She cited in this letter, that this violation not only undermines the principles of sustainable and organic farming
but also poses potential risks to our environment, biodiversity, and public health.

Quirog emphasized that by taking swift and decisive action against this violation, we will reaffirm our
commitment to protecting our environment, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and maintaining the health
and safety of our citizens.

In the Executive Order No. 30 by Gov. Aumentado, the governor brought the attention in Section 3 of the
ordinance that “ No person shall conduct any laboratory or field testing or any activity whatsoever for the
propagation of or experimentation related to GMOs of any plant, animal or microorganism in any area within the
territorial jurisdiction of the province of Bohol” and Section 4 where “Any violation of this ordinance shall be meted
with a fine of not more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5, 000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year or both
fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court; while juridical entities involved shall also be subject to
closure’.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol sometimes in the month of August, 2003 passed a Provincial
Ordinance No. 2003-010 authored by then Vice G0vernor Julius Caesar F. Herrera, chairman, Committee on
Agriculture entitled “ Instituting Stringent Measures to Safeguard the Health of the Boholanos and Protect the
Ecological Soundness of the Province of Bohol from the Possible Disastrous Ill-effects of Genetically Modified
Organisms, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for Other Purposes.

Gov. Aumentado in his letter addressed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. dated on September 13, 2023 most
humbly and respectfully requested that the province of Bohol be excluded from the introduction of GMO seeds and
materials, and from activities related to studies, technology transfer, or experimentation related to GMO. It is also
requested that any ongoing activity in Bohol related to the foregoing be halted.

Aumentado disclosed that Bohol has been positioning itself as a place for organic agriculture as the province has
prioritized agriculture as one of its concerns as it is one of its main economic drivers.By Atoy Cosap

PBGh resounded the call to uphold Anti-GMO Ordinance

This came after where only one of the 14 municipalities heeded the call.

Provincial Agriculturist Quirog in her letter addressed to the Bohol Mayors dated August 18, 2023, reminded
them about the implementation of Executive Order No. 30 officially signed by Governor Erico Aristotle c.
Aumentado last June 6, 2023 mandating the immediate recall of all distributed and planted GMO Corn across the
province of Bohol, while concurrently reactivating the GMO Monitoring Committee.

She urged and encouraged all local chief executives to take swift action in implementing the pro- visions set
forth in E.O. No.30, effective immediately.

She cited in this letter, that this violation not only undermines the principles of sustainable and organic farming
but also poses potential risks to our environment, biodiversity, and public health.

More Suhid nomineesfor 2023 tilt

As expected, the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon 2023 tilt has gotten more nominees from the
different agriculture-known municipalities in Bohol compared to past years search.

After the deadline for submission of nominees was up last September 8, 2023, there are about 142 entries to vie
the 24 different categories of the Suhid with big prizes at stake not only monetary but also farm equipment which
started to be evaluated by the evaluators last Tuesday.

The categories and their corresponding nominees are the following: Outstanding 4H-Club/Young
Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization such prizes are P20,000 + 1 Unit Garden Cultivator has three nominees namely:
Danahaw Integrated School (Secondary) 4H Club (Clarin), Tabon Young Farmers Association (Talibon), and Batuan
4H Club (Batuan); Outstanding Farmers Association Program Based (P17, 000 + 1 Unit Garden Cultivator and 1
Unit Power Tiller) – NMC Aguipo Farmers Association (Mabini), TIDPA (Dauis), KALAGMANA (Panglao),
ASNA (Carmen), Puangyuta Fisherfolk Association (Dimiao), Ubay Malingin Irrigators Association (Ubay), Tabon
Seaweed Farmers Association (Talibon), AFFILA (Trinidad);

Outstanding Fishermen’s Association (P17, 000 + 1 Unit Fabricated Pumpboat) – KANABAMI (Panglao), Isla
Mantatao Fisherfolks Association (Calape), Tangohay Fisherfolk Association (Dimiao), MATIGA (Jagna),
KAGAMASSI (Ubay); Outstanding Organic Practitioner Association (P17, 000 + 2 Units Garden Cultivator) –
PUNAOFA (San Miguel), FFF (Talibon), LASOVEGA (Pilar); Outstanding Organic Agriculture Individual
Practitioner (P10, 000 + 1 Unit Garden Cultivator) – Rona Mechaves Denque (Corella), Jomer Balag (Batuan),
Mary Aguilar (Dimiao), Joachim M. Pinat (San Miguel), Ismael Tumanda (Carmen), Emmanuel Gamonez
(Balilihan), Ma. Reina P. Perez (Loon), Napoleon B. Jumawan (Sagbayan), Cecilia S. De Leon (Calape), Antonio
Soco (Talibon, and Vanissa Pilongo (Antequera); Outstanding Farmer on Integrated Rice Based-Farming System
(P6, 000 + 1 Unit Power Tiller) – Marcial Galler (Dimiao), Artemio S. Baja (Garcia Hernandez), Rene Ceniza (San
Miguel), Florencio B. Sagliba (Carmen), Ferdinand E. Oroyan (Talibon), and Joselito Baculi (Ubay); Outstanding
Hybrid Corn Farmer-Conventional Hybrid Variety (P6, 000 + 1 Unit Corn Sheller) – Thelma T. Duavis (Danao),
Jose C. Salva (Garcia Hernandez), Roberto Soria (San Miguel), Diosdado M. Cagatin (Carmen), Ursolo V.
Taganahan (Dimiao), Teresita J. Gamale (Valencia), Carmelita Cadorniga (Ubay), Melchor P. Yaras (Pilar);

Outstanding OPV Corn Farmer (P6, 000 + 1 Unit Corn Sheller) – Romana P. Milloria (Danao), Ma. Vilma T.
Lampaug (Garcia Hernandez), Teresa Cruda (San Miguel), Rufno T. Boco, Jr. (Carmen), Alberto Bunaos (Talibon),
Bienvenido Gallegos (Dimiao) Prescilla Oreo (Ubay), and Elvira B. Micutuan (Sierra-Bullones); Outstanding
Integrated High Valaue Crops Farmer (P6, 000 + 1 Unit Garden Cultivator – Vilma Idul (Dimiao), RenanteC.
Daguing (Mabini), Atty. Urbano H. Lagunay (Carmen), Heracleo Doysabas (Maribojoc), Miguelito Persigas (Loon),
Adela Pastrana (Sevilla), Remias Cresencio (Talibon), Pablito B. Quinal (Danao); Outstanding Cacao Grower (P6,
000 +1 Unit Mechanical Pruner) – Domingo Akiatan (Dimiao), Miguel esiona (Catigbian), Jocelyn C. Ramirez
(Carmen), Bohol Chocolate Farm (Sagbayan), Ernesto Macabenta (Maribojoc), Raul H.Leornes (San
Miguel),Cosme Galido (Garcia Hernandez), Efrenia C. Colt (Calape), Jonah Lasaca (Ubay), and Jovilito G. Avelino
(Danao);

Outstanding Cassava Farmer (P6, 000 + 1 Unit Garden Cultivator) – Vidal L. Jumawid (Carmen), Alfonso
Daverao (Sierra-Bullones), AND Abundio T. Cajes (Trinidad); Outstanding Banana Grower (P6, 000 + 2 Units
Power Sprayer) – Policario Bolanio (Dimiao), Clemente G. Butal (San Miguel), Felipe G. Cuadra (Garcia
Hernandez), Jaime M. Membreve (Carmen), Jose C. Andoy (Calape), Delia Gurrea (Talibon), Romeo Patarlas
(Ubay), and Abundio M. Anora (Danao); Outstanding Tilapia Culture Commercial Pond (P6, 000 + 2 Units Water
Pump) – Alipio C. Savulga, Jr. (Garcia Hernandez), Ferlinda D. Rejas ((San Miguel), Catalino E. Asumatra, Jr.
(Carmen), Mary Mae Evangelista (Talibon); Outstanding Tilapia Culture Backyard Pond (P6, 000 +2 Units Water
Pump) – Nenita Mira (Batuan), Rolando S. Gelay (Mabini), Maria Chona C. Hoyle (San Miguel), Jaime C. Aranay
(Guindulman), Edgar Aladad (Carmen), Romeo O. Morales (Garcia Hernandez), Freddie Ole (Calape), Joshua
Aparece (Talibon), Reymund L. Dela Torre (Dimiao), Victor Castro (Ubay), Alicia G. Cepedoza (Danao);

Outstanding Bangus Cage Culture (P6, 000 + 1 Unit Fiber Glass Boat) – PAMFA (Panglao), Sergio Tesorio
(Calape), Aian Rosales (Talibon), Benjamin Sarabosing , Jr. (Ubay); Outstanding Bangus Pond Culture (P6, 000 + 2
units of Water Pump) – Dave E. Evangelista (Talibon), Rey Boaquin (Ubay), Primo Avenido (Bien Unido);
Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist (P6, 000 + 1 Unit of Power Sprayer) – Geofrrey E. Gulay (Guindulman), Arlen
D. Cabusao (Carmen), Angelito A. OroyN (Talibon), and MarianitoM. Doydora (Ubay); Outstanding Rural Woman
(P6, 000 + 1 unit Garden Cultivator) – Marivic D. Pardillo (Trinidad), Rubilyn S. Bajinting (Carmen), Felipa C.
Maldora (Sagbayan), Erlinda G. Maglente (Dimiao), Antonina Mansa (Calape), Mary Mae Evangelista (Talibon), and Leonila Capuno (Ubay); Outstanding Organic Technician (P6, 000 + 1 unit Power Sprayer) – Ireneo S.
Penticase (Alburquerque), Guillermo M. Lucip (San Miguel), and Zester R, Virador (Pilar);

Outstanding Rice Technician (P6,000 + 1 unit Power Sprayer), Evelyn M. Estilloro (Danao), Roland L. Sarong
(Batuan), Ma. Micheke F. Lariza (Guindulman), Jane B. Noculan (Carmen), Angeles C. Opiala (Talibon), and Lucita
C. Bonghanoy (Ubay); Outstanding Corn Technician (P6, 000 + 1 unit Power Sprayer) – Alisa P. Ochavillo (Garcia
Hernandez), Roland P. Valentos (Carmen), Zenaida A. Aparece (Talibon), Eulogio Galler (Valencia), and Crispina
A. Caballero (Ubay); Outstanding Fishery Technician (P6, 000 + 1 unit Power Sprayer) – Antonino B. Pancho
(Batuan), Ana Mae Evangelista (Talibon), Windyl E. Mejias (Ubay), Outstanding HVCDP Technician (P6, 000 + 1
unit Power Sprayer) – Andrew F. Simo (Guindulman), Mary Ann T. Dela Torre (Carmen), and Ma. Trisha L.
Rempillo (Ubay); Outstanding Ubi Grower (P6, 000 + 1 unit Garden Cultivator) – Allan Madronero (Dimiao), Pablo
Chiong (Panglao), Policarpa T. Bautista (Cortes), Mario R. Tumale (Baclayon), Romulo G. Campoamor (Carmen),
and Leonisa Buna (Ubay).

The evaluators composed of some employees of the OPA, other departments of the Provincial Government of
Bohol (PGBh), and representatives from some agri-line agencies have doubled their times to do the evaluations to
catch up with the scheduled date for the awarding ceremony on the middle of November this year.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog earlier said that she is expecting more nominees in this year’s search
because of the increased cash prize and additional farm equipment that would entice them to participate.

Quirog said that the provincial government through the OPA under the administration of Gov. Erico Aristotle C.
Aumentado and Vice -Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite has always looking at for the good of the agri-fishery sector in
Bohol and she is optimistic that on the next year tilt more prizes to be given to encourage our farmers and fisherfolks
to excel in their respective field works. By Atoy Cosap

Bohol as “Outstanding Province” in C. Visayasin RCEF program

The Provincial Government of Bohol through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA)’ endeavor geared
towards the development of the agri-fishery sector has not been put to waste as it was being recognized and awarded
in the national and regional tilts.

Just recently, the PGBh Thru the OPA received the Excellence Award as Outstanding Province in the entire
Central Visayas in the implementation of the RCEF (Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund) Program.
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, Vice-Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite and Provincial Seed Coordinator
Lorebien Lagapa received the award during the awarding ceremony last Tuesday held at PhilRice, Murcia, Negros
Occidental.

Mayor Juliet Dano of Sevilla, Bohol, and Municipal Agriculturists (Mas) Mitchel Varquez from Sevilla, Avelina
Lopeseros (Trinidad), and Marianito Doydora (Ubay) were also received the awards in the program.
Provincial Rice Seed Coordinator Lagapa bared that the RCEF Program in Bohol has benefited the 29, 237
Boholano farmers who received the quality certified rice seeds of about 45, 830 bags (20kgs./bag).

Lagapa said that it was not easy to receive the award because this would be based on criteria which are the
following: distribution rate 40%, syncing rate 10%, syncing participation 20%, far management 10%, seed stock
card and inventory report 10%, resource mobilization 5%, and participatory governance at 5% of which the province
of Bohol got the rating of 99%, the highest rating in all the provinces in Central Visayas.

The planting of certified seeds that showed an increase of yield at 3.6 metric tons per hectare during the first
semester has contributed a lot to getting the award, Lagapa emphasized.

Provincial Agriculturists Quirog,and Vice – Gov. Balite said that all these we owed to the MAs, Municipal
Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs), and rice technicians and most especially the Boholano farmers in the
province as they thanked them for their unwavering support of the programs and projects of the provincial
government.

Also attending the awarding ceremony were Department of Agriculture-Regional Technical Director (DA-RTD)
Joel Elumba, PhilRice Negros Director Leo Sta. Ines, Chief, Science Research Specialist Dr. Rizal Corales from
PhilRice Nueva Ecija, Marchel Brina, BPI-NSQCS Region 7, and PhilRice Staff in Bohol Care Jason Parina and
April Badajos. By Atoy Cosap

OPA asked help rice technicians to account rice retailers among others

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) asked the rice
technicians to help with the inventory of all the rice retailers, millers and warehouses in the province of Bohol.
This developed after it was found out during the rice technicians’ meeting last Tuesday, CPG Hall, 2 nd Floor,
New Capitol Building that the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the National Food Authority (NFA) do not have
any list of accredited rice retailers, warehouses and millers in Bohol which are essentials for monitoring the prices
and updating the supplies of rice.

Joel Lim from the NFA said that since 2019 when the Rice Tariffication Law was implemented in the country,
the NFA has not given the authority to account, monitor, and update the accredited rice retailers, millers and
warehouses but instead, they are only given the task to do the palay procurement program for buffer stocking for
calamities, emergency situations and feeding programs.

Lim disclosed that their palay procurement program with the support price of P19/kilo could not entice rice
farmers to sell their palay to NFA and they preferred to sell it to the local traders which have higher support prices
that range from P25 to P26 or even P30/kilo.

However, he said they have now closely coordinated with some Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs)
like Ubay, Mabini and Calape who have provided subsidy in the amount of P2/kilo as an add-on price from their
support price of P19/kilo of palay.

It was learned during the rice technicians’ meeting that most rice retailers in the province do not reduce the
prices of their regular milled rice to P41/kilo and well-milled rice to P45/kilo in compliance with the Executive
Order No. 39 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. effective August 31, 2023.

Under Section 1 of the E.O. 39, the mandated price ceilings are regular milled rice is priced at P41.00 per
kilogram, and well-milled (P45.00/kilogram) and as such the implementation shall remain in full force and effect
unless earlier lifted by the president upon the recommendation of the Price Coordinating Council or the DA and the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Meanwhile, Domingo Salces, Federated President, the National Irrigation System/Communal Irrigation System
(NIS/CIS) said Executive Order No. 39 issued by the president would greatly affect their palay selling price.
Salces said before the implementation of the order, the local traders would buy their palay at prices ranging from
P26 to P30/kilogram which was beneficial to the rice farmers because it increased their income. But starting August
31, 2023, which was the effectivity of the order, the price would drastically change to only P21/kilogram.

The federated president of more than 200 irrigators associations in Bohol said that he sees a good harvest this
season as shown by the standing crop and based on the yield of the 5% among all Boholano rice farmers who
harvested their planted rice.

On this development, there is no reason for panic buying because aside from the old stock, there will be an
incoming big volume of rice supply from our Boholano farmers.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog during the rice technicians’ meeting said that the government has no
letting up to help the farmers.

Quirog said the PBGh under the administration of Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado and Vice-Governor
Dionisio Victor Balite and DA have continued its program of giving free seeds and fertilizers as the government has
acknowledged the sweat and toils from our more than 60, 000 Boholano farmers with an average age of 57 years old
who have tilled the 184, 874 hectares (has.) of agricultural areas in the province with an average farm size of .05 ha.
who feed the 1.4 million Boholano and 1.5 tourist population annually. By Atoy Cosap

Gov. Aumentado recallsall distributed GMO Corn

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado through his Executive Order No. 30 recalled all distributed Genetically
Modified Organism (GMO) Corn in the province of Bohol and reactivated the GMO Monitoring Committee.
Executive Order No. 30 was signed by Gov. Aumentado last June 6, 2023, and was released last Wednesday after
the Public Forum on Anti-GMO Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 2003-10 held at BPSTEA, Tamblot St.,
Tagbilaran City facilitated by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) led by Provincial Agriculturist Liza
M. Quirog.

The forum was attended by 48 Municipal Agricultural Officers/Municipal Agricultural Officers (Mas/MAOs), 15
corn coordinators from the top producing corn in Bohol, 30 farmer leaders (corn associations), 12 representatives
from government line agencies,10 members of the Organic Technical Working Group (TWG), 4 Anti-GMO
Monitoring Teams and representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH),
Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Dept. of Science and Technology (DCST), and Dept. of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In his E.O., the governor said that the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has enacted Provincial
Ordinance No. 2003- 010 “Prohibiting the use and planting of GMO in the province”.

He said that there have been reports of the planting and distribution of GMO Corn in Bohol which is in violation
of the Anti-GMO Ordinance. In fact, he said that this was verbally acknowledged by a DA-7 representative during
the El Nino Task Force Meeting held on May 12, 2023.

The governor emphasized in his order that it was stated in Section 3 of the ordinance that “No person shall
conduct any laboratory or field testing or any activity whatsoever for the propagation of or experimentation related
to GMOs of any plant, animal or microorganism in any area within the territorial jurisdiction of the province of
Bohol” and Section 4 where “Any violation of this ordinance shall be meted with a fine of not more than Five
Thousand Pesos (P5, 000.00) or imprisonment nor exceeding one (1) year or both fine and imprisonment at the
discretion of the court; while juridical entities involved shall also be subject to closure”.

According to the governor that by virtue of the powers vested in him by law, he ordered the immediate cessation
of GMO distribution, reactivation of GMO Monitoring Committee and to carry out in the implementation of the
order is the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) together with the Multi-Sectoral GMO Monitoring
Committee to include the monitoring of the progress of the retrieval and disposal, and take all necessary legal steps
to safeguard the interest of the people to maintain an ecologically balanced province.

The action of the governor has been welcomed by the Anti-GMO advocators in Bohol who have been dismayed
after knowing that GMO Corn entered and planted in the province in 2019 even though the province has an existing
approved ordinance in 2003 saying no to GMOs that would surely affect the Hybrid and Open Pollinated Variety
(OPV) and most especially the native corn varieties in Bohol.

PGBH INTERVENTION FOR GMO CORN FARMERS
The PGBh through the OPA had a proposed intervention for the 350 affected farmers who have planted GM
Corn seeds to 405 hectares (has.) distributed to the different known corn municipalities in Bohol for the conduct of
technical briefing, provision of hybrid yellow corn seeds, provision of foliar fertilizer, provision of free tractor
services for land preparation, and the provision of corn harvester.

The intervention has the proposed allocation amounting to P3, 402, 000.00 for crude oil consumption only
breaking down in the following expenses: tractor services in the amount of P1, 701, 000 for the 24, 300 liters at P70.
00/liter; and Corn Harvester services with the same amount of consumption and expenses as the tractor services. By
Atoy Cosap

SUHID 2023 expects more entries

The Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bola-anon 2023 is expected to have more nominees coming from the
different agri-fishery associations/organiztions, cooperatives and individuals from the known agriculture
municipalities in the province compared to last year to compete of the most-coveted search this year because of the
big prizes at stake.

In this year’s tilt, the winners would receive not only money but also farm machinery which are very useful to
their respective fields of work.

The SUHID ’23 categories and its corresponding prizes are as follows: Outstanding Farmer on Integrated Rice
Based-Farming System with the prizes of P6,000 and one unit of power tiller, Outstanding Hybrid Corn Farmer (P6,
000 + corn sheller), Outstanding OPV Corn Farmer (P6, 000 + corn sheller), Outstanding Integrated High-Value
Crops Farmer (P6, 000 + garden cultivator), Outstanding cacao grower (P6, 000 + mechanical pruner), Outstanding
Cassava Farmer (P6, 000 + garden cultivator),

Outstanding Banana Grower (P6, 000 + power sprayer), Outstanding Organic Agriculture Individual Practitioner
(P10, 000 + garden cultivator), Outstanding Organic Practitioner Association (P17, 000 + garden cultivator),
Outstanding Tilapia Culture Commercial Pond (P6, 000 + water pump), Outstanding Tilapia Culture Backyard Pond
(P6, 000 + water pond), Outstanding Bangus Culture Cage (P6, 000 + fiber glass boat), Outstanding Bangus Culture
Pond (P6, 000 + water pond), Outstanding Fishermen’s Association (P17, 000 + fabricated pumpboat),
Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist (P6, 000 + power sprayer), Outstanding Farmers Association Program
Based (P17, 000 + garden cultivator and power tiller), Outstanding Rural Woman (P6, 000 + garden cultivator),
Outstanding 4H-Club (P20, 000 + garden cultivator), Outstanding Organic Technician (P6, 000 + power sprayer),
Outstanding Rice Technician (P6, 000 + (P6, 000 + power sprayer), Outstanding Corn Technician (P6, 000 + power
sprayer), and Outstanding Fishery Technician (P6, 000 + power sprayer).

During the Provincial Coordinating Committee for Agri-Fisheries (PCCAF) meeting held at Reyna’s Haven and
Garden last Friday that was attended by the Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers (Mas/MAOs)
most of them signified their interest to send their respective nominees for the tilt.

Earlier, Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that with this development she is positive that many agri-
fishery sectors through MAs/MAOs in strong coordination with the Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs)
would entice to participate in the search considering the winners would receive not only the monetary prize but also
farm machinery which are very useful to their daily works.

Provincial Agriculturist Quirog underscored the importance of the agri-fishery sectors to achieve the mandate of
the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist which are the
following: to ensure food sufficiency and security, and to increase productivity and income among Boholanos who
have been engaging farming and fishing, thus SUHID has been conducted annually. (By Atoy Cosap)

Ubi Festival ’23tentatively sets

After the successful conduct of the 3-day Sandugo Agri-Fair last July 17-19, 2023 at the Old Tagbilaran City
Airport, the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is now in
preparation for the coming Ubi Festival tentatively scheduled on December 11-13, 2023 still at the Old City Airport.
This could be the first ever that in a year there would be two festivals to be conducted as the first one was done
last January 26-30, 2023 after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol passed an ordinance sponsored by 3rd
District Board Member Nathaniel Binlod who is the member of the SP Committee on Agriculture declaring that the
Ubi Festival be conducted on every second week of December of the year.

The passage of the ordinance superseding the SP resolution mandating that the Ubi Fest be conducted on every
3 rd week of January of the year is an offshoot of the assessment that was conducted after the festival of which BM
Binlod had attended and personally heard the suggestions from among the Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal
Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs) and Ubi Growers stating that the festival is ideally be done on every December
or earlier than January because that would be the harvesting time.

According to them, we could not expect volume of Ubi products to be displayed and sold on January Festival
considering that during the yuletide season Ubi product is highly demanded in the market.

The festival this coming December has allocated a big budget in the amount of P2 million pesos a little bit bigger
compared to last January which had P700, 000.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that we will be adopting the real essence of a festival this coming
December that there would be Ubi Street Dancing, Miss Ubi among others which still to be crafted by the Technical
Working Group (TWG) from OPA.

Quirog said the additional budget would entice more Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) to participate
as she said that the formal letters will be sent to them momentarily informing them about the development so as to
prepare necessary supplemental budget purposely needed on that activity.

Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) President Esmeraldo Maligsa said that the 50 active members of the
association from the different municipalities in the province have been elated on the development after so many
years of waiting that the dates of the festival would be changed earlier than January to ensure more Ubi products to
be displayed or sold and if unsold in the festival there are still more activities like Christmas and New Year that
demand more supplies.

Maligsa said that most of the BUGA members have planted Ubi of different variety such as: Kinampay,
Baligonhon, Kabus-ok, Binanag, Gimnay, Binato, and Tam-isan.

The Ubi KIinampay in Bohol is recognized by the Bureau of Plant Industry as “Queen of the Purple Yam in the
Philippines”. (Atoy Cosap)