Press Release

The plantitos/plantitas or gardeners who have been displaying the different kinds of plants and flowers in the
surrounding at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport had registered the highest sales so far that would reach close to half
million pesos during the three-day Sandugo Agri-Fair 2023 last July 17-19, 2023 since they started to participate the
fair and doing business of selling plants and flowers at the old airport, this city.
The plantitos/plantitas had the total sales of P489, 660 which was the biggest compared to last year agri-fair sales
that would only reach to almost P200, 000 and the average daily sales in all of them at P5, 000 during regular day of
selling.

The 25-strong plants exhibitors and their corresponding individual sales were: Estrelita Ototan who had gotten
the highest sales in the amount of P203, 000 and then followed by Bohol Grafted Fruit Trees (P61, 190), Evalyn
Cadayuna (P45, 000), Inday Dried Fist (P28, 800), Gardeners of Bohol Association (GBA) Maria Chita Patac (P13,
300), Marcelina Arceno (P13, 300), Nerners Garden (P11, 060), GBA/Carnacion Gabisay (P10, 400), Bebies Garden
(P10, 180), Gil and Litas Garden (P9, 800), Nenita Pong (P8, 800), Bohol Gardeners and Landscapers Association
(BGLA) Delia Rebuya (P8, 500), KaBoOM (Kapunungan sa Bohol sa mga Organikong Mag-uuma)- (P8, 300),
GBA/Raul Encabo (P8, 200), BGLA/Yonie (P8, 000), GBA/Dely Adlaon (P7, 100), Julita Bellezas -BGLA (P7,
050), BGLA (P6, 100), BGLA Bunao (P5, 200), GBA/Mary Jinky Flores (P5, 100), GBA Mary Ann Malaran (P 3,
800), GBA/Jueve Adlaon (P3, 450), Araceli Namocatcat (P2, 200), Edita Cabellon (P1, 500) and Raul Ciruela
(P400).

If the sales from plantitos/plantitas (P489, 660) will be added to the sales from the 32 Sandugo Agri-Fair
Exhibitors from the different municipalities in the province of Bohol (P748, 015.75), the total sales would be P1,
237, 675.75 the biggest sales compared to last year that would only reach to P780, 000 and since from the first
conduct of agri-fair way back in 1993 barely 30 years ago.

The gardener associations have been starting their operations at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport since 2018
during the time of Former Governor and now First District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto, and continued its
operations in the administrations of Former Gov. Art Yap and now of Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado which
aims to help the plantitos/plantitas to augment their livelihood.

During the COVID-19 pandemic that wreaked havoc in the human lives and as the result the employment and
livelihood were badly affected as the business operations collapsed, but the business of plantitos/plantitas had gained
the big profit and became the main source of living.

At the start in the operations of the gardeners at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport, only the BGLA has displayed
and sold their different plants and flowers. After knowing by others that the business is gaining, some have gotten
interested and until now they have continued their operations and always be benefited when there are programs to be
conducted to the spacious area of the old airport which remains vacant after the operation was transferred to the
Bohol Panglao International Airport last 2018. By Atoy Cosap

The Bohol Sandugo Agri-Fair 2023 that once again showcasing the Boholano agri-fishery products will start
tomorrow and will end up on Wednesday at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport with 29 participating Municipal Local
Government Units (MLGUs) and 19 agri-line agencies in the province.

The participating MLGUs are the following: Bilar, Cortes, Ubay, Pilar, Talibon, Calape, Mabini, Clarin,
Catigbian, Batuan, Corella, San Miguel, Bien Unido, Loon, Duero, Balilihan, Danao, Sikatuna, Carmen, Buenavista,
Getafe, Tagbilaran, Lila, Loboc, Guindulman, Antequera, Panglao, Valencia, Dimiao, Alburquerque and Maribojoc;
while the agri-line agencies to wit: Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR), Pigrolac, Agricultural and Commercial Manufacturers (AGRIMAC), 6 Partners (Seed Company),
Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Bohol Dairy Cooperative, Bohol Vegetable Growers Association,

Kapunungan sa mga Bol-anong Organikong Mag-uuma (KaBoOM), Bohol Agri Raiser and Farmers Agriculture
Crops (BARFAC), Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (Bohol APC), Department of Agriculture (DA) 7,
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine
Coconut Authority (PCA), Produktong Bol-anon Exhibitors Association (ProBEA), Bohol Gardeners and
Landscapers Association (BGLA), Gardeners Bohol Associations (GBA), and Casa Association.

This year’s agri-fair could be well-attended compared to last year when there were only 23 MLGUs participated.
The three-day fair will be kicked-off with a motorcade contest at 1p.m. tomorrow starting from Capitol Grounds
down to New Capitol Site Road – Hangos St. – J. A. Clarin – City Hall Grounds – Calceta St. -CPG Avenue – City
Airport Road all the way to Old Tagbilaran City Airport which is the venue of the activities.

In the opening program at 2 p.m., Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will deliver his second inspirational
message since he assumed into office as governor in the province of Bohol; while Vice- Governor Dionisio Victor
Balite who is also the Chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture will give the opening
statement as the messages of support will be given by the following: Congressman Edgar M. Chatto (1 st District),
Congresswoman Vanessa Aumentado (2 nd District), Congresswoman Kristine Alexie B. Tutor (3 rd District), Dir.
Angel C. Enriquez (DA – 7, Regional Executive Director), Dir. Allan L. Poquita (BFAR – 7, Regional Director) as
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog will do the acknowledgment of guests and participants after City Mayor
Jane Censoria C. Yap could deliver the welcome message.

The whole duration of the fair will be highlighted with the Experiential Learning with students and youths which
will start immediately right after Gov. Aumentado could deliver his inspirational message of which they learn on
rice pounding, traditional stone corn milling, coconut grating, Cart Riding, Bangus Deboning, Net Mending and
Puso Making.

To signal the start of the fair, tomorrow afternoon Aumentado will lead in the ribbon cutting and opening of
exhibits for the Agri-Fair 2023 and together with DILG and DA officials in the launching of the “ Katuwang sa
Diwa at Gawa Para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita (KADIWA) ng Pangulo 2023”.
As usual in the conduct of the Sandugo Agri-Fair there are different contests with corresponding prizes to
encourage the MLGUs to participate such as: Best Product Display of which the winner for the first prize will receive P20, 000, 2 nd prize – P15, 000, 3 rd prize – P10, 000 and consolation prize of P3, 000 each of the non-winners;
motorcade (1 st prize – P10, 000, 2 nd prize – P8, 000, 3 rd prize – P6, 000) and P3, 000 each as consolation prize for the
non-winners ; Bangus Deboning (1 st prize – P2, 000, 2 nd prize – P1, 500, 3 rd prize – P1, 000) and a consolation prize
of P500 each for the non-winners; and Net Mending (1 st prize – P2, 000, 2 nd prize – P1, 500, 3 rd prize – P1, 000) and
a consolation prize of P500 each for the non-winners.

To make it unique compared to past celebrations, an Agri-Stakeholder’s Night will be done tomorrow night at
the Bohol Cultural Center this city which aims to develop strong partnership and camaraderie among the provincial
government officials, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist employees, participating MLGUs, agri-line agency
officials, Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers, stakeholders, among others.
The Experiential Learning Activities will continue on the second and third days as the Quiz Bee which will be
facilitated by the ATI will be conducted before the closing and awarding program at 3pm on Wednesday wherein
Gov. Aumentado will lead in the giving of prizes and awards. By Atoy Cosap

The Tagbilaran City Airport operations had been terminated last November 28, 2018, following the opening of
the Bohol Panglao International Airport on the same date has become the venue or center of the different activities
of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh).

Since the previous administration, the holdings of the Ubi Festivals, Tabo and Sandugo Agri-Fairs, among others
have been conducted at the Old City Airport in Tagbilaran City.

The old airport is ideal for any event because it has ample space for the stalls and parking areas and has three big
dooms for shelter to protect against the heat of the sun and rain.

On this month’s celebration of the Bohol Sandugo Festival, there are about 12 activities to be conducted at the
old airport namely:  Opening Salvo, and Praise and Worship Feat (July 1, 2023), Tamla: Ang Sinugdanan (July 2,
2023), Bohol Media Night (July 7, 2023), Tamla; Tinupukay sa Sandugo, and Sabay sa Sandugo Dance Competition
(July 9, 2023), Tamla: Ang Sinugdanan Finale (July 14, 2023); Samdugo SMB Night (July 15, 2023), KISS FM
Boholano Compo Fest (July 16, 2023), Sandugo Agri-Fair (July 17 – 19, 2023), Sandugo Fusion Nights (July 21-30,
2023), Bohol Pop Music Song Contest (July 27, 2023), Sandugo Festival Weekend July 29, 2023), Sandugo Coca-
Cola Night (July 22, 2023),

Other activities being lined-up in the month-long celebration which will be conducted outside the Old Tagbilaran
City Airport are: Sandugo Football Festival ( CPG Sports Complex -, Tagbilaran City – July 1 –  2, 2023), Sandugo
Mountain Bike Adventure Race (From Tagbilaran City to Baclayon, Albur, Balilihan, Sikatuna, Antequera, Cortes –
July 2, 2023), Bohol Art Expo (National Museum – Bohol, Tagbilaran City – July 3 – 28, 2023), Scubasurero –
Coastal Clean Up and Mangrove Planting (Basdacu, Loon – July 7, 2023), Sandugo Table Tennis Competition
(Poblacion 2 Gym, Tagbilaran City – July 7 – 9, 2023),

Miss Bohol Presents: Boholana (Bohol Cultural Center, Tagbilaran City – July 8, 2023), Sandugo 5150 Triathlon
(Bellevue Resort, Panglao – July 9, 2023), Queen of Bohol: Talent Competition (Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City –
July 13, 2023), Sandugo Tree Growing Activity (San Vicente, Ubay – July 14, 2023), Patikan: Body Painting
Competition (Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City – July 14, 2023), Sandugo 500K National Darts Tournament
(Panglao Golf Park – July 14 – 16, 2023), Miss Bohol 2023: The Coronation Night (Bohol Wisdom School Gym),
Bohol Sandugo National Sportfishing Tournament (Guindulman Bay Area), Sandugo Local and Overseas Jobs Fair
2023 (Bohol Cultural Center, Tagbilaran City) – July 15, 2023,

Sandugo Chess Festival (Baclayon), and Sandugo Swimfest (Victoriano B. Tirol, Jr. Aquatic Center, Tagbilaran
City) – July 15 – 16, 2023; Bohol Dairy Festival (Mabini – July 18, 2023), DTI – Sandugo Trade Fair (Island City
Mall – July 19 – 23, 2023), Sandugo Shooting Competition (Miriam Sumaylo Firing Range, Dauis – July 20 – 23,
2023), State of the Province Address (Ceremonial Hall, New Bohol Capitol Building – July 21, 2023), Sandugo
National Ultimate Frisbee and Music Festival ft. Franco (Tubigon and Clarin – July 21 – 23, 2023), The 169 th  Bohol
Day Celebration, Bohol Regenerative Project Launch, Protect Danajon Double Barrier Reef Project Launch (Bohol
Cultural Center, Tagbilaran City – July 22, 2023),

Sandugo Dama Tournament (Baclayon), Sandugo Air Rifle Shooting Competition (Estiban Bernido Air Rifle
Range, Dao, Tagbilaran City ), and Sandugo Bugsay sa Pag-Abante Dragon Boat Competition (Miramar, Dauis) –
July 22 – 23, 2023; Sandugo Bubble Run (Galleria Luisa, Tagbilaran), Rajahs sa Bohol Coronation Night (Bohol
Cultural Center) – July 23, 2023; Queen of Bohol 2023 Coronation Night (Bohol Cuktural Center – July 24, 2023),
Sandugo Visayas Deaf Basketball Tournament (Tagbilaran City – July 24 – 28, 2023), Sandugo Quiz Bee 2023
(Ceremonial Hall, New Bohol Provincial Capitol – July 25, 2023), Sandugo Travel and Tour Expo (Island City Mall
– July 27 – 29, 2023), Sandugo Invitational Karate-Do Championship (Panglao – July 29 – 30, 2023), LMP Mayors
Ball (Bohol Cultural Center – July 29, 2023), and Sandugo Festival Street Dancing and Ritual Showdown 2023
(CPG Sports Complex on July 30, 2023).

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte asked the local media to promote all activities to be
conducted in the month–long celebration of the Bohol Sandugo Festival in this month of July as a way of reviving
our Boholano culture and traditions. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) will participate tomorrow in the simultaneous nationwide
launching of the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita (KADIWA) ng Pangulo
2023 as the grand launching will be held in the City of San Fernando Pampanga, where President Ferdinand R.
Marcos, Jr. himself is expected to attend.

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado together with the officials of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Social Welfare, Development (DSWD) officials and other
partners in government and in the private sector leader leads the launching of the KADIWA ng Pangulo at the Old
Tagbilaran City Airport tomorrow afternoon of which such activity is coincide in the opening of the three-day
Sandugo Agri-Fair 2023.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. in his advisory
dated July 11, 2023 sent to all provincial governors, all city mayors and municipal mayors of Metro Manila, all
DILG regional directors, and others concerned, enjoined them to conduct simultaneous KADIWA ng Pangulo
activities tomorrow from 8:00am to 5pm.

Accordingly, participating LGUs shall establish KADIWA stores for selling and purchase of agricultural produce
such as vegetables, meats, and fruits at affordable prices, processed goods, including both food and non-food
produce by Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as One Town Product (OTOP) products of different
localities, and “mercado” stalls (ready to eat food) for micro-enterprises of the host LGU.

Sec. Abalos said the LGU shall identify suitable KADIWA sites which may be beside or near the capitol or
city/municipal hall, and coordinate with their respective Regional DA and DTI Offices for the supply of agricultural
produce, agri-based products and OTOP goods to be showcased during the KNP.

Particiapting LGUs shall submit a report to their respective DILG Regional Offices through the Provincial Office
(for provinces). The report shall include a narrative of the activities conducted, the number of participating sellers
and buyers, and the total amount of goods sold through the KADIWA store/s. Said report shall be consolidated by
the DILG regional Offices and submitted to the Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD) – Local Fiscal
Resource Development Division at lfrdd.official@gmail.com not later than July 31, 2023, Sec. Abalos emphasized.
Abalos further said in his advisory that the DILG Regional Offices shall supervise the conduct of the KADIWA
activities extend to the LGUs the necessary assistance for the successful conduct thereof, and disseminate the
memorandum circular or advisory to all LGUs within their respective jurisdiction. By Atoy Cosap

Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is expecting
that more entries from the Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) in Bohol will vie for the different
categories of the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon 2023.

This as this year’s tilt that the winners would receive not only money as prizes but also farm machineries which
are useful to their respective field of works.

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).

This would be the first ever and it would happen in the administration of Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado that
the SUHID winners could receive farm machineries aside from the usual monetary prizes.
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that the SUHID tilt is an annual activity of the PGBh through the
OPA institutionalized and launched years ago that aims to recognize the great contribution of the agri-fishery sector
to the province.

Quirog added that through this search, agriculture practitioners are encouraged to produce more knowing that the
government recognizes their efforts and hard works as a vital contribution to the province’ food security and
economic stability. By Atoy Cosap

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog had directed all the regular and job order worker employees of the
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) to stay focused on their respective targets in order to achieve the
office’s mandates: to ensure food sufficiency and security in the province, and to increase agricultural productivity
and income among Boholano farmers.

During the OPA general assembly held last Monday at the OPA Office, 3 rd  Floor, New Capitol Building, this city
that was attended by 166 regular and job order workers and six workers under a contract of services, Quirog said
that Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado has a high expectation to the office to maintain and sustain the title of
the province is the “Food Basket in Central Visayas”.

Having that title, Bohol is considered as a major food producer in Central Visayas, thus it is our responsibility to
work hard and enhance our skills in agriculture so as to produce more, Quirog emphasized.

She urged them to keep on learning, studying, reading and attending training to acquire more knowledge and
skills in agriculture and share it with the municipal agricultural technicians and to the Boholano farmers.
To work in the provincial agriculture office is very challenging because we are responsible to feed the 1.4M
Boholanos and a number of tourists who have come to the province.

Quirog thanks Gov. Aumentado for putting more manpower into the OPA to carry on the task of ensuring the
foods are available on the table.

Executive Assistants for Agriculture Engr. Ricardo Oblena and Alfeo Piloton also underscored the importance of
evaluating the accomplishments and focusing on the targets.

Engr. Oblena said that the office should make a spot monitoring regarding the distribution of vegetable seeds to
check if whether the beneficiaries really plant or not the seeds from the provincial government.

Meanwhile, Former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Piloton said that the OPA
should make a value chain analysis of all commodities.

Piloton said that momentarily, he will talk to Gov. Aumentado regarding the government projects in other
provinces that can also be replicated or implemented in Bohol.

The agriculture office of the province has always conducted a general assembly every last Monday of the month
wherein the chief or any representative from each of the five divisions will render their respective monthly
accomplishment reports to measure on how they achieve their target or goals. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will
conduct two Ubi Festivals this year.

This developed after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol passed an ordinance sponsored by 3 rd 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.

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 Tagbilaran City Airport, this city.

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

During the Sandugo Agri-Fair preparatory meeting last Thursday held at the Panda Tea Suite and Garden, Dao,
Tagbilaran City, Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog informed the MAs/MAOs, and the representatives from
agri-line agencies 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 that they will ask additional fund in the amount of P1M aside from the allocation of P2M as
stipulated in the ordinance to entice more Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) to participate.
The usual allocation as mandated in the resolution is only more than P700, 000 in the whole duration of the fest.
The provincial agriculturist said that the formal letter will be sent to the MLGUs the soonest possible time
informing them about the development so as to prepare necessary supplemental budget purposely needed on that
activity.

Ubi Festival is an annual affair of the PGBh through the OPA as the way of giving gratitude, honor and awards
among Boholano farmers who are responsible for the development of Ubi industry in Bohol. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in coordination
with the Department of Agriculture (DA) is determined to conduct the cloud seeding operations in the latter part of
next month to save the standing crops from El Nino on that time.

This developed even after the two days of ocular assessment conducted by the Technical Working Group (TWG)
on El Nino last May 30-31, 2023 of the four dams in the province of Bohol: Bayongan Dam in San Miguel, Malinao
Dam (Pilar), Capayas Dam (Ubay), and Zamora Dam (Talibon), it was found out that the irrigation water is still
enough to be used in this wet cropping season.

However, they explained that the present condition of the water supply of the four dams could not sustain the
water requirements until the vegetative and flowering stages of planted crops especially rice this season, thus cloud
seeding operations are needed.

During the meeting of the TWG on El Nino which consists the representatives from the PGBh, Bureau of Soil
and Water Management (BSWM), DA, and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) last Thursday at the OPA
Conference Room, New Capitol Building, they agreed to utilize first the standby fund amounted to P2.5M from the
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PRRMO) for the one round of cloud seeding operation
to be conducted on the last week of July; while waiting on the result of the formal request from the provincial
government to BSWM to allocate funds in the amount of P7.5M so as to conduct three rounds of cloud seeding
operations in addition to the funds from PGBh.

Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado wrote a letter addressed to Director Gina P. Nilo, BSWM, last May 16, 2023,
formally requesting to set aside funds for the conduct of making artificial rain to save the agricultural products to
include livestock in Bohol.

Gov. Aumentado during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council full meeting of which he is
the chairman last May 16, 2023, at the Ceremonial Hall, 4 th  Floor, New Capitol Building received three resolutions
from the Malinao Dam Federation of Irrigators Association (MADFIA), Bayongan and Capayas Farmers/Irrigators
Association (BAY_CAPA), Inc. and Talibon Small Reservoir Irrigators System (SRIS) Irrigators Association, Inc.
with the same tenor which is to request the governor of Bohol to allocate funds for cloud seeding for the wet
cropping season.

Corazon Ditarro from BSWM said that according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Service Administration (PAG-ASA) 22/24 models suggest potentials for El Nino by May-July 2023. Both the
dynamical and statistical models indicate El Nino by May-July 2023, with the warming stronger in the dynamical
models. In the model output and expert judgment for the ENSO El Nino probability forecast, there is an 82% for the
May-June-July 2023 season up to 93% December 2023-January 2024-February 2024 seasons.
Bohol has a total of 57, 007.05 hectares (has.) of rice land areas of which 25, 885 has. are irrigated and 31,
122.05 are rainfed wherein of the total rice areas the municipality of Ubay has the biggest areas among towns of
Bohol with 8, 314 has. (4,149 has. – irrigated and 4, 165 has. – rainfed).

The TWG El Nino justified that the cloud seeding operations do not only intended for rice, corn but for all
commodities to include human lives and livestock.  By Atoy Cosap

Due to the looming El Nino forecasted by the Philippine Atmospheric Geo-Physical Services Administration
(PAG-ASA) to hit the country from July this year to March next year, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (PDRRMC) during full its council meeting last Tuesday held at the Ceremonial Hall, 4 th  Floor,
New Capitol Building, Cogon this city has recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare Bohol under
the state of calamity.

Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, PDRRMC Chair said that based on the report from PAG-ASA that an 80%
probability having El Nino within the next two months, although there haven’t damages yet being reported to
agriculture, the declaration is necessary so Local Government Units (LGUs) could use their calamity funds to draw
mitigating measures to lessen the impact of dry conditions.

At that meeting, the council through Gov. Aumentado received three resolutions from the Malinao Dam
Federation of Irrigators Association (MADFIA), Bayongan and Capayas Farmers/Irrigators Association (BAY-
CAPA). Inc. and Talibon Small Reservoir Irrigators System (SRIS) Irrigators Association, Inc. with the same tenor
which is to request the governor of Bohol to allocate funds for cloud seeding for the wet cropping season.

Gov. Aumentado emphasized that we do not wait that the situation would worsen before we will take action.
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that the provincial government has already made preparations to
mitigate the impact of El Nino in the province to wit: the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and the
Department of Agriculture (DA) prepositioning and distributing rice, corn and vegetable seeds to the farmers; early
release of water from irrigation dams to beat the lowering amount of moisture which will be felt towards the
3 rd  quarter of the year particularly in the month of July and onwards; Governor Aumentado already wrote the letters
sent to the following: DA Undersecretary to amend the Rice Program Guidelines to reach farmers with less than 1,
000 sq. m. and those encoded late by the LGUs and DA, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to
grant funds to LGUs to establish LGU operated hatcheries and distribute bangus fingerlings;

More letters were sent to: DA Regional Director requesting the amount of P259, 000, 000 fund or materials
assistance for various agricultural interventions i. e. crops, agricultural engineering and livestock to the farmers in
Bohol, BFAR Regional Director requesting P28, 000, 000 fund or materials assistance for various fishery production
interventions to the fisherfolk in Bohol, BSWM Director requesting for P7, 500 fund assistance for the cloud
seeding operations for three quarters in Bohol;

The governor will meet the manager of the National Food Authority (NFA) in Bohol to talk about their palay
procurement program for Boholano’s rice produce; and he will meet DA and NIA representatives to reconcile
records of rice seeds beneficiaries to include all other farmers presently excluded from their master list.

Quirog disclosed that the actual data on the damage caused by El Nino will be available on May 29, 2023, from
the municipal agricultural offices.

NIA IMMEDIATE MEASURES
Elvira Alvarado bared that NIA will implement proper water management through continued implementation of
alternate distribution schedule to save on water and address water shortage; implement proper water management
through early planting; adoption of diversified dropping to areas most likely to experience water shortage; provide
advisory to farmers to plant short-term seeds during the SMCs meetings; coordination and monitoring with irrigators
associations through meetings on the status of water availability; installation of water installation pumps on areas
where water exists or drained water are collected; submission of cloud seeding request to the provincial government;
information dissemination to farmers and stakeholders during meetings and distribution of brochures to improve
awareness; and weekly dam water level monitoring and reporting starting May 29, 2023.

Alvararo said that their long-term measures are ongoing such as the construction of small water impounding
through water re-use on the existing drainage integrating solar pump; construction of canal lining and structure;
rehabilitation/reforestation at the watershed areas to improve streamflow or implementation of integrated water
resource management program.

Leonardo Samar from PAG-ASA said that their office has been continuously monitoring the developing El Nino
conditions in the tropical Pacific. Recent conditions and model forecasts indicate that El Nino may emerge in the
coming season (June-July-August) at 80% probability and may persist until the first quarter of 2024.

Samar added that El Nino increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring
negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country. However, over the western part of
the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (habagat) may also be
expected. By Atoy Cosap