Press Release

Bohol agri office to launch cloud-seeding ops

In order to save the vegetative stage of rice and other crops planted this season, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will conduct cloud seeding operations if the absence of rain for many weeks already has continued to be experienced in Bohol until the end of this month.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that the PGBh has readied to conduct cloud seeding operations, however, has waited for the recommendation from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) on when to conduct.

Dr. Pamugas said that during the rice technicians meeting last Thursday at the New Capitol Building, Leonard Samar from PAG-ASA Radar Station in Albur forecasted that on the 3rd week of this month, Bohol and other provinces in the country would experience Near Normal Weather conditions.

The Assistant Provincial Agriculturist disclosed that he already received information from the field that there are rain-fed rice lands affected and hopefully tomorrow or next days he could formally submit the damage report to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

He said that no need for the Boholano farmers to worry if their rice-planted areas have been being insured because they can claim the damage indemnity from the Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

Lorebien Lagapa, Provincial Rice Coordinator, said that the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the province has implemented or applied the wet and dry technology in delivering irrigation water to their service areas.

Lagapa said that Bayongan Dam in Pilar, Malinao Dam (Pilar), Capayas Dam (Ubay) and Talibon Dam in Zamora, Talibon can provide irrigation water for one week and what is being affected by this hot weather condition those rain-fed areas which are dependent on rains, small river, and small water impounding sources.

The province of Bohol has 47,378 hectares (has.) of rice production areas of which 24,336 has. of these are rain-fed and 23,042 has. are fed via irrigation.

It may be recalled that the PGBh had already conducted several cloud seeding operations way back in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2019 saving the planted agricultural products, livestock and most especially human lives. (with reports from Atoy Cosap)

Bohol agri programs anchored on ‘DA Reform Agenda’, says Yap

The Provincial Government of Bohol’s strategic framework for agricultural development which is anchored on the Department of Agriculture (DA) plans and programs has been cascaded down to the purok level.

During the Orientation on Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) programs to the Sangguniang Bayan/Sangguniang Barangay-chairman on Agriculture Committee and Municipal Agriculturist, from the Local Government Units of Buenavista and Clarin last Friday at 4th Floor, New Capitol Building, Cogon, Tagbilaran City, Gov. Art C. Yap said that all plans and programs in agriculture in the entire province must be anchored on the DA Reform Agenda: Eighteen (18) Key Strategies.

Yap said the 18 key strategies are the following: Bayanihan Agri Clusters; Collective Action/ Cooperative Development; Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES); Mobilization and Empowerment of Partners to attain scale; Diversification; Credit Support; Post-Harvest, Processing, Logistics and Marketing Support; Agriculture Career System; Education and Training/Agribusiness Management; Youth & Women Management; Technology and Innovation; Digital Agriculture; Farm Technology and Mechanization Infrastructure Investment; Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Measures; Food Safety and Regulations; Agri-Industrial Business Corridors; Global Trade and Expert Development Promotion; Ease of Doing Business and Transparent Procurement; and Strategic Communications Support.

The governor emphasized that the provincial government has focused and concentrated on rice, corn, high value crops, vegetables and fruits, coffee, cacao, coconut and dairy to ensure food security and safety.

He informed the Agri stakeholders that Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar during his visit to the province last June 4, 2021,to lead the turnover of P387M worth of farm machinery to the Boholano Farmer Cooperative Association (FCA) appreciated the agricultural plans and programs of Bohol for this year and beyond he presented to him.

The DA Sec. disclosed that Bohol is included as a pilot province under PAFES in the Department of Agriculture.The governor said that 700,000 Boholanos remain in agriculture that needs a common plan. Vice Governor Rene Relampagos said that their administration would give much focus on agriculture as tourism is already established and only badly affected by COVID 19.Relampagos said that Bohol has a clear road map in agriculture being managed by Gov. Yap a former DA Secretary for six year

As the first line of defense, he urged the Sangguniang Barangay and Bayan chairs on agri committee in the towns of Buenavista and Clarin to give their full support to the province to address poverty.Board Member Franz Gelaine Garcia of the second district urged the Boholanos for unity so as to achieve our goals towards agriculture and any endeavors of the provincial government.Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas, and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz presented the different programs and interventions from the provincial to agriculture sector.Dr. Pamugas discussed the Advanced Rice Technology (ART) 160 (Hybrid Rice), ART 120 (Inbed Rice), ART Corn 100 Technology, ART 1,000 Bangus and ART 1,000 Nilotica (Tilapia) programs; while Dr. Lapiz dealt with the Agricultural Rural Transformation thru Integrated Community Dairy Project (ART-ICDP) and other programs of her office. (with a report from Atoy Cosap)

Bohol chosen as pilot province of DA’s PAFES program

The province of Bohol is one of the pilot provinces in the Philippines for the Province-led Agriculture and Fishery Extension Services (PAFES) program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

This was the statement issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar during his visit here last Friday when he led the ceremonial turnover of P387 million worth of agri-fishery projects to the Boholano Farmers Cooperative Association (FCA) held at the Ceremonial Hall, 4^th Floor, New Capitol Building, Cogon, Tagbilaran City.

Dar issued the statement after Gov. Art C. Yap presented to him the agriculture strategic framework for development of Bohol.

He said that he was elated on the plans and programs of the province which is anchored on the DA strategic framework for development of which he wanted to be emulated by other provinces in the country.

The DA sec. said that since Bohol is ready on its program for agricultural development, the province can assure for more projects and services under PAFES together with Negros Oriental and other provinces.

He bared that Bohol is in the right tract of giving focus on the commodities suitable for the area to ensure food safety of which he is appreciated most.

Gov. Yap on his presentation emphasized the ongoing programs for agriculture such as: Advanced Rice Technology (ART) 160 Hybrid Rice, ART 120 (Inbrid Rice), Advanced Rural Transformation (ART) Corn Technology 100, Agricultural Rural Transformation (ART) Bangus 1000, ART Nilotica (Bangus) 1000, Sea Weeds Productions, Swine and Poultry among others.

The visit of DA Secretary Dar last Friday was significant because he led the turnover of agri-fishery projects such as: Drilling Rig and its component worth P20,000,000, concreting of Barangay Cayacay Farm to Market Road Project (Leading to Brgy. Abaca, Mabini) – Alicia –P12,546,952.39; Rehabilitation of Paraiso Diversion Dam – Paraiso, Mabini – P7,765,573.59; Rehabilitation of Katipunan SWIP – Katipunan, Carmen – P1,593,029.77; Cattle feedlot Fattening – Buenavista – P5,000,000; Cattle feedlot Fattening – Sierra Bullones – P5,000,000; 4WD 90HP Tractor – Catigbian – P2,400,000.

Convergence in Coconut Farming Communities Towards Sustainable Rural Project – Virgin Coconut Oil Processing Facility in Balilihan, Bohol – P17M to LGU Balilihan.

While for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization component recipients were the following: 1^st District – Balilihan (Camasaque Irrigators Association (Casaquia) Inc., Cogon Small Coconut Famers Organization,Sagasa Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Calape – Abucayan Fishermen and Farmers Association, Bonbon Farmers and Fishermen’s Association;Catigbian – Candumayao Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative; Cortes – Municipal Local Government Unit of Cortes, Bohol.

For the second district – Bien Unido-Bical Small Farmers Association (BICFA), Bien Unido Multi-crops and Mango Producers Association, Nagkahugpong Mag-uuma ug Mananagat sa Nueva Esperanza (NAGMMANE),Buenavista – Lubang Farmers Organization,Catigbian Waterworks and Sanitation Association (CAWSA); Dagohoy – Samilca Irrigators Association, Inc., DSM Irrigators Association, Inc.; Danao – Hibale – Poblacion-Danao – Irrigators Association (HIPODIA), Inc.,DanaoMaribeta Irrigators Inc.; Trinidad – Purok 3 HinlayaganIlaya Farmers Association; Torreguis Farmers Association (TOFA); Ubay – GBL Irrigators Association, Inc.;

3^rd District – Saleka Irrigators Association, Inc., Garcia Multipurpose Cooperative, Quirinino Irrigators and Farmers Association; Bilar – Bugang Sur Farmers Association; Carmen -Mabago Farmers Association (MaFA),Panagdago-ocan Farmers Association; Candijay – Lungsodaan Farmers Association (LFA); Garcia-Hernandez – Napo-Tabuan Irrigators Association, Inc.,AghubanCambuyo Irrigators Association, Inc.; Duero – Bangwalog Rice Farmers Association; Jagna –Siling Irrigators Association, CalabacitaTuob Irrigators Association, Inc., Jaglonoy Irrigators Association, Inc., JagnaAlejawan Irrigators Association, Inc.; Mabini – NMC Aguipo Farmers Association (NMCAFA),Oliva Irrigators Association, Inc., San Rafael Bangi Irrigators Association; Sierra Bullones – Anibongan Farmers Association (AFA), Dusita Farmers Association (DUFA); Valencia – SimangBalingasao Irrigators Service Association, Inc.;

Other projects such fund coursed through from the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were: Tubigon – 4 units (P68,801.00); Trinidad – 2 units (P34,400.50); Garcia Hernandez – 2 ( P34,400.50); Tagbilaran – 2 (P34,400.50); Loon – 2 (P34,400.50); Mabini – 2 (P34,400.50); Valencia – 2 (P34,400.50); Carmen – 1 (P17,200.25); Maribojoc – 2 units (P34,400.50); Candijay – 2 (P34,400.50); Lila – 2 (P34,400.50); Ubay – 2 units (P34,400.50); Guindulman – 2 units (P34,400.50); Calape – 2 units (P34,400.50); Bien Unido – 2 units (P34,400.50); Jagna – 2 units (P34,400.50); Duero – 2 units (P34,400.50);

22 ft. Motorized Fiberglass Boat (Under Target Program): Garcia Hernandez – 3 units(P164,227.20); Anda – 2 units(P109,484.80); Bien Unido – 3(P164,227.20); Duero – 3(P164,227.20); Tagbilaran – 3 (P164,227.20); Lila – 3(P164,227.20);

22 ft Motorized Fiberglass boat: Candijay – 11 units (P164,661.67); Office of the Provincial Agriculture – 4 units (P223,513.33); 30 ft. Motorized Fiberglass boat (under TARGET project); Calape – 3 units (P274, 311.90) and Jagna – 3 units – P274, 311.90.

Brand new refrigerated van for dairy with complete accessories funded under PRDP project (20% PGBh counterpart) was turned over to Bohol Dairy Producers Association for the Bohol dairy proceeding and marketing enterprise (recipient BODACCO and PCC Director).(AtoyCosap)

PGBh expects more entries for SUHID ’21 amid pandemic

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is
expecting more entries to vie for the different categories of this year’s Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-
anon amidst COVID-19 pandemic.
The SUHID is one of the programs of the PGBh aims at recognizing and giving of awards to the efforts of the
Boholano farmers and fisherfolks who have helped the provincial government in shaping up the agriculture
landscape of Bohol.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas earlier said that in this time of pandemic that collapsed the
tourism industry, the agriculture has sustained and flourished because the weather would cooperate.
The province of Bohol even during the Lenten season has been experienced rains which are good for any agri-
cultural products being planted, he concluded.
THE 31 CATEGORIES
This year’s search with big prizes at stake has 31 categories which are the following: Outstanding Highest
Yielder on Hybrid Rice (ART 160) Farmer which has a corresponding prize of P5,000; Outstanding Highest Yielder
on Inbred Rice (ART 160) Farmer P5,000; Outstanding Corn Hybrid Farmer (P5,000); Outstanding Corn Inbred
Farmer (P5,000); Outstanding Integrated High Value Crops Farmer (P5,000); Outstanding Coconut Farmer
(P5,000); Outstanding Cassava Farmer (P5,000); Outstanding Local Fruits Farmer (P5,000); Outstanding Young
Farmer (Practicing Organic Farming) (P10,000); Outstanding Organic Agriculture Practitioner (Individual Family)
(P10,000); Outstanding Organic Practitioner (Association) (P15,000); Outstanding Tilapia Culture (P5,000);
Outstanding Bangus Culture (P5,000); Outstanding Fishermen’s Association (P15,000); Outstanding Seaweeds
Producer (P5,000); Outstanding Bol-anong Siyentista on Feed Formulation (Fish & Livestock) (P5,000);
Outstanding Bol-anong Siyentista on Food Processing (Fruits, Vegetables & Fish) (P5,000); Outstanding Organic
Technician (P5,000); Outstanding Agri-Fishery Resiliency Technician (ART) (P5,000); Outstanding Association
(this will be based on our implemented programs) (P15,000); Outstanding Environment-Friendly Barangay (most
number of fruit trees planted) (P20,000); Outstanding Exhibitor of ART Tabo Sa Bohol (P5,000); Outstanding Agri-
Enterprise for Crops (P15,000); Outstanding Agri-Enterprise for Fishery (P15,000); Outstanding Rural Woman
(P5,000); Outstanding 4H-Club (P15,000); Outstanding Rice Technician (P5,000); Outstanding Corn Technician
(P5,000); Outstanding Fishery Technician (P5,000); and Outstanding HVCDP Technician (P5,000);
Rosanna G. Lamdagan, Head-Agribusiness Division, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) said that there
were some categories of the SUHID were excluded in this year’s search giving importance to the inclusion of other
categories which are in line with the priority programs of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) under the
administration of Gov. Art C. Yap and Vice Gov. Rene L. Relampagos namely; Advanced Rice Technology (ART)
160 (hybrid rice), ART 120 (inbred rice), Agricultural Rural Transformation (ART) Corn 100, ART 1000
Tilapia/Bangus, and Fruit Trees Production.
Last year, the PGBh through the OPA was able to give the awards and recognition to the SUHID winners amidst
the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SUHID winners of last year would automatically be the entries for Bohol in the Gawad Saka Search 2021
sponsored by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA–RFO) 7 sometime in the first semester of
this year.
The Bohol’s records at the Gawad Saka Search cannot be surpassed by the other provinces in Region 7 such as
Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor as annually most numbers of the categories were bagged by the Boholano
farmers.
Bohol in so many years is still the rice granary in Central Visayas. (Atoy Cosap)

OPA promotes corn hybridization to Bohol farmers

In order to achieve the desired target on the Advanced Rural Transformation (ART) Corn Technology 100 program, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has been promoting the use of farm mechanization and corn hybridization to the Boholano farmers, improving productivity.

The government is also setting the tone between the financing institution and its conduit for easy access on loans to the farmers for land preparation in the coming planting season on April and May.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that the goal for ART Corn Technology 100 to yield 100 cavans of shelled corn per hectare (ha.) is achievable if the farmers would adopt the modern way of corn farming.

Pamugas bared that the interventions to the farmers on the clustered known corn municipalities include: giving free corn seeds and 2 bags of organic fertilizer per ha., and providing technical assistance.

CORN TOWNS AND HECTARAGE

Provincial Corn Coordinator Leon Parac, Jr. disclosed that the clustered known corn towns in Bohol are Carmen, Sagbayan, Ubay, Sierra-Bullones, Dagohoy, San Miguel, Alicia, Anda, Valencia, Dimiao, Trinidad and Danao.

Parac said that Bohol has 15,000 has. of corn potential areas wherein of these areas only 4,489.76 has. were planted last planting season, thus the provincial government has continued the call to till the other potential areas which can contribute food sufficiency in Bohol.

During the urgent meeting called by Dr. Pamugas last Tuesday participated by farmers coops and irrigation associations presidents, Cecilio Clarete, Manager- Bohol Lending Center, Land Bank of the Philippines, Tagbilaran City stated the readiness of LBP to grant loans to the farmers through the coop conduits.

Clarete stressed that the bank had already released loans for the purchase of 40 tractors which are now serving at the different farmers’ associations in Bohol.

Based on statistics, a Boholano has registered 4.62 kilograms (kgs.) per capita consumption for corn very much lower than that of rice which has registered at 115 kgs.

MARKETING ASPECT

Arnel Terec, Marcela Farm Special Project In- Charge said that as of now their buying price of shelled corn is P12-P12.50 per kilo for white variety and P13-P13.50 per kilo for yellow variety.

Terec emphasized that Marcela Farm is still open for the negotiation to come up with the marketing agreement of P15 buying price per kilo just for the benefits of the corn farmers in Bohol.

Meanwhile, Rocky Tidon from the Philippines Crops Insurance Corporation(PCIC) assured the farmers for their continued service.

Tidon urged the farmers to make sure that their planted agricultural products must be insured at the PCIC because of the uncertainty in farming nowadays due to climate change. (with report from Atoy Cosap)

Month-long Ubi Festival 2021 in New Norm starts tomorrow

All systems go for the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) in holding the month-long celebration of Ubi
Festival 2021 in the New Norm to showcase the different varieties of Ubi in the province especially the Kinampay.
The Ubi Festival in the New Norm carries the theme “Pagpananum ug Ubi Napuslan, Kagutom nga Dala sa
COVID-19 Nabatukan” will start tomorrow, January 25, 2021 and culminates on February 24, 2021 at the Old City
Airport, Tagbilaran City.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said the PGBh through the Provincial Technical Working
Group (PTWG) upon the directive of Gov. Art C. Yap had already drawn several measures to ensure the safety of all
the people who will troop to the festival.
Dr. Pamugas disclosed that part of the measures is the holding of the fest at the Old City Airport where social
distancing can be properly observed considering its wide area.
He said the distance between exhibitor booths is five meters while two meters for the table with barriers for the
sellers who are wearing facemasks and face shields.
The wearing of facemask is a must upon entering the venue, wherein all the people should undergo a temperature
check, handwashing with alcohol, foot bath before filling up the log sheets for contact tracing and moving in one
direction inside, he said.
The Assistant Provincial Agriculturist emphasized that inside the venue, the 50 percent allowable capacity will
be strictly followed. Supposing if the 50% allowable capacity would be fully occupied, the entrance gate be
automatically closed and the probable buyers outside would stay at the holding and waiting area with tents and the
numbers from them are allowed only to get inside would be based on the number of buyers who would go out from
the venue.
He said that some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Provincial Security Force (PSF) would
help in controlling the number of people from getting inside.
Moreover, the conduct of Literary Musical Contests such as UbiBalitaw, Del Horest and Sarah Geronimo Voices
Alike, each contestant must bring his/her own microphone.
Other contests to highlight the festival are the Bugno sa Rondalla (farmer’s category), Pinaka of different Ubi
varieties, motorcade, highest volume of Ubi display, cooked Ubi eating, tabirak eating and outstanding Ubi grower
contests.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Aside from usual selling of Ubi products and other agri-commodities, displaying of ornamental and flowering
plants, there are also food fair, nightly entertainment, cycling, running, techno-fora, jogging, zumba, arnis demo,
Ubi cook off to be conducted to make the event more colorful, Pamugas added.
LGUs/NGAs/INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITORS
Some 18 known Ubi municipalities have registered to participate the festival namely: Anda, Carmen, San Isidro,
Jagna, Loon, Tagbilaran City, Cortes, Balilihan, Sikatuna, Baclayon, Dauis,Panglao, Duero, Loay, Valencia, Sevilla,
San Miguel and Pilar while for the associations are the Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) and Cabudlan
Farmer’s Association in Ubay town.
For the agri-fishery products exhibitors: 3C Enterprise, PNB-KGB MPC, Bilar STEM, Sevilla Fruits, Sevilla
Vegetables, KapunungansaBol-anongOrganikong Mag-uuma(KBoOM), Totsie Farmers Store, Arjhel’s Farm,
Grainstar, Flor’s Fruits, BUSEO, Obles Fruits, Bohol Fish Trader’s Group, Garrote’s Dried Fish, Edna’s Dried Fish,
Edlyn’s Dried Fish, Amparo’s Fruits, and Angie’s Fruits.
While for the processed foods exhibitos: BFARCO, OH! Some Bites, EJ’s UBE Halaya, Basak Bistro, P&P,
A.I.M. For Progress, Evalyn’sSweet Corn, BODACO, 4-H Club Federation, PRDP I-REAP Proponent Groups,
Sweet Disposition, Bastillas Variety Shop, BBC, Marcela Farm, Our Deli Bread, and BAGELS & Bakery.
And for the plantito/plantita: Bohol Gardeners and Landscaper Association (BGLA), GLBA, 0216 Home
Garden, Maeson’s Home Garden, Josie’s Garden, Esther’s Garden, Maritess and DY Jeans Plantitas, Merlin’s
Garden, Cheya’s Plants and Eglee’s Garden.
On tomorrow’s opening program of the Ubi Festival in the New Norm, Gov. Yap will lead in the giving of
messages and opening of exhibits. (Atoy Cosap)

CAPTION:
UNDER NEW NORM. The Provincial Government of Bohol will once again recognize the efforts among
Boholano Ubi growers during the month-long celebration of Ubi Festival ’21 in the New Norm at the Old City
Airport, Tagbilaran City which will commence tomorrow up to February 24, 2021.

Month-long Ubifest ‘21 set Jan. 25 to Feb. 24

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) will celebrate the Ubi Festival 2021
with a longer period from January 25 to February 24.
Activities are slated at the Tarmac Area, Old City Airport, Tagbilaran City, if the Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP) would grant the request that the area would be the venue.
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that this month-long celebration of showcasing the
different varieties of Ubi in the province of Bohol will be conducted so as not to jampack the buyers, considering
restrictions amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Pamugas said that the 30-day festival will be filled with activities and contests such as Highest Value of Ubi
Display, Ubi Eating Contest, Best New Ubi Processed Products, Pinaka, Literary and Musical Contests; and nightly
entertainment and food fair.
Other activities to highlight the celebration are the cooking demonstrations of which the members of the Bohol
Association of Hotel Resorts and Restaurant (BAHHR) will demonstrate the manner of preparing food or style of
cooking using Ubi as the main ingredient, Ubi processing and Ubi Techno-Fora that deals about production to
include pests and diseases of Ubi.
Pamugas said that the Ubi Festival ’21 will kick off through a motorcade on January 25, 2021 at 8 a.m. Jump off
area will be at the Capitol Ground going to New Capitol Site Road – Hangos St. – J.A. Clarin- City Hall Grounds –
Calceta St.- back to J.A. Clarin St.- PNB-CPG Avenue – City Airport Road down to the venue to be participated by
Local Government Units, Ubi Growers, Non-Government Associations, Peoples’ Organization and Technical
Working Group on Ubi Fest.
At the opening program, Governor Art C. Yap will give his inspirational message while Vice-Governor Rene L.
Relampagos, Rep. Edgar M. Chatto (1st District), Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado (2nd District), Rep. Kristine
Alexie B. Tutor (3rd District), and DA 7-Regional Executive Director Salvador D. Diputado will deliver their
messages as City Mayor John Geesnell “Bab” Yap will give the welcome message after Dr. Pamugas acknowledges
the participants.
Gov. Yap will lead in the ribbon cutting and opening of exhibits to be assisted by Vice Gov. Relampagos,
SangguniangPanlalawigan Members, City Mayor Yap, and Dr. Pamugas.
About 26 Ubi known municipalities and one city are expected to participate in this festival namely: Tagbilaran
City, Cortes, Balilihan, Corella, Sikatuna, Baclayon, Dauis, Panglao, Albur, Dimiao, Duero, Bilar, Valencia, Batuan,
Lila, Ubay, Talibon, Calape, Loon, Antequera, Maribojoc, San Isidro, Pilar, Carmen, Alicia, Trinidad and Jagna.
Pamugas bared that this would be the first time that the Ubi Festival has allocated a big budget in a tune of
almost P3 million with the duration of one month and the strong coordination with other departments of the
provincial government such as Provincial Budget Office, Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Center for Culture
and Arts Development, Provincial General Services Office, PRIMER, Provincial Engineer’s Office, and Bohol
Investment Promotion Center who composed the Technical Working Group (TWG).
The Assistant Provincial Agriculturist said that he already created the different working committees and
conducted the series of preparatory meetings for the successful celebration of Ubi Festival ’21 which also sells not
only Ubi products but also other commodities.
Pamugas emphasized that the provincial government has chosen the Old Tagbilaran City Airport as the venue of
the festival to ensure the implementation of basic health protocols would be followed especially physical distancing.
The venue providesa wide area for the activities. (AtoyCosap)

PREPATORY MEETING. The Technical Working Group on Ubi Festival 2021, led by Assistant Provincial
Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas is in the thick of preparation for the upcoming one month celebration of Ubi
Festival 2021 which is slated on January 25-February 24, 2021 at the Old City Airport in Tagbilaran City.

Small Farm Reservoirs to waterless areas constructed

The problems of some municipalities in the Agricultural Province of Bohol regarding the sources of water for
farming to include vegetables and fresh water fish productions have been gradually solved.
The PGBh hired as consultant former Provincial Irrigation Manager Calixto Seroje to study the establishment of
Small Farm Reservoirs (SFRs) to the waterless areas.
Marjoe Rey Labonite, Head-Research and Agri-Support Services (RASS) Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
(OPA) said that the team of Engr. Seroje had identified 104 sites from the nine municipalities for the establishment
of SFRs.
Labonite said the PGBh has already allocated P5.2 million through Agriculture for Rural Transformation (ART)
Community Engagement Project for the SFRs whose cost for labor per site is P44,000.
He disclosed that about 28 of the 104 SFRs were completely constructed in the towns of Pilar (15 sites), Trinidad
nine, Talibon two, and San Miguel two.
Actually, Labonite clarified that in Pilar there are 17 being identified, Trinidad 14, Talibon five, and San Miguel
10.
Other ideal areas for the construction of SFRs are in Buenavista which has 18 sites, Danao 14, Getafe 10 and
Alicia 6.
He said the project is very useful to contain the soil and water for rice, vegetables, and Tilapia productions.
It could also generate employment among Boholano farmers’ organizations/associations because of the labour
component of the program that requires laborers to do the construction of an SFR which has an area of 300 sq.m.
(15ms. x 20ms.) with 1.5ms. depth.
Last week, about 280 farmers of the 28 sites had received P4, 400 each as the salary for the 10 days of work of the
SFRs.
Labonite clarified that each SFR has to be constructed by the organization/association consisting of 10 members
using the carabao to plow the surface area of the site. (Atoy Cosap)

CONSTRUCTION ONGOING. Members of the farmers’ organizations in Trinidad have been very busy in
the construction of the Small Farm Reservoirs located in barangay Kina-oan (left photo) and barangay
Hinlayagan (right photo). The project has been funded by the 20% development fund of the Provincial
Government of Bohol through agriculture for Rural Transformation (ART) Community Engagement Project.
Foto MARJOE REY LABONITE/OPA staff

Validations for SAP coco farmer beneficiaries fast track

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Bohol Provincial Office through its Coconut Development Officers
(CDOs) is fast-tracking to conduct the evaluation among Boholano coconut farmers to come up with the legitimate
beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) worth P5,000 each from the Department of Agriculture
(DA) through the PCA.
Emiliano Romero, Bohol PCA Manager said that based on the random selection by the PCA National Head
Office from among the coconut farmers nationwide, there are about 346,000 coconut farmers to be the beneficiaries
of the program wherein 22,729 of these are for the Boholano coconut farmers.
Romero said that they have been asking the barangay officials to help the CDOs to expedite the evaluation
considering their very limited numbers of CDOs which have only 10 to cover the entire province as what they have
agreed during their zoom meeting with PCA Regional Director Brendan Trasmonte last Nov. 28, 2020.
He bared that they only received the information regarding the program last November 15, 2020, and they have
given the deadline to submit the list of the legitimate beneficiaries on December 11, 2020.

QUALIFICATIONS

Romero disclosed that based on the given guidelines the beneficiaries of the program only those coconut
farmers who have not received SAP through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), not 4P’s
beneficiaries under Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT), not government employees, not a member of the family of
elected officials and not belong to a well-off family.
He said that based on the trend of the ongoing evaluation only a few of the total numbers of the registered
Boholano coconut farmers are illegible to receive the SAP considering that most of them were already recipients of
the previous programs of the government.
Bohol has a total number of 174,781 coconut farmers comprising from 65,777 in the First District, 38,600 (2nd
District) and 70,404 for the 3rd District, he said.
Romero said that after the evaluation, the list of the illegible Boholano coconut farmers of the program would
be submitted to the PCA Regional Office on December 11, 2020, and then the regional office will submit it to PCA
National Office and finally to the DA wherein the money was being downloaded for the nationwide payout through
M Lhuillier.
Romero explained that actually of the P5,000, only P3,000 cash subsidy a beneficiary will be receiving because
the remaining amount will be in kind: rice worth P1,000, chicken meat (P600) and eggs (P400).
COCO FARMERS ONLINE REGISTRATION

PCA Senior Agriculturist Primo Galendez urged the Boholano Coconut farmers who have not registered
themselves to PCA to avail the online registration to National Coconut Farmers’ Registry System (NCFRS) through
the given link: bit.ly/magniniyogakosaregion7
Galendez said the coco farmers must avail the online registration at the soonest possible time considering that
the deadline will be tomorrow for possible inclusion of the program. (AtoyCosap)
Validations for SAP coco farmer
beneficiaries fast track

SAP FOR COCO FARMERS. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Provincial Manager Emil Romero (right) and
PCA Senior Agriculturist Primo Galendez are calling the Boholano coconut farmers who have not registered
themselves to PCA to avail the online registration for possible inclusion of the program. They are also urging
the farmers to plant early maturing coconut such seedlings are available at the PCA nursery in Ubay, Bohol.

ART 160 Buy-Back drive boosts farm production, link to market

In a bid to lessen the problem of the hybrid rice farmers in Bohol to market and boost production, the Provincial
Government of Bohol (PGBh) launched the Advanced Rice Technology 160 (ART 160) Buy-Back program.
The program has allotted P48 million intended to purchase the 10% of the 3,000 hectares (has.) planted hybrid
rice at P20 per kilo for the wet season of 2020 (May-October 2020).
Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas, Gertrudes Fuentes, Chief-Crops and Productivity Division-
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and Provincial Rice Coordinator Lorebien Lagapa said that the project
impact of the program of Gov. Art C. Yap’s administration would redound to sustainable food security in the entire
province of Bohol carrying the following objectives: to directly buy local palay at prevailing market price in the
locality plus P1 per kilo; to eliminate or prevent the adverse effect on the implementation of the Rice Liberalization
Law among the rice farmers in Bohol;
To ensure in attaining food security by empowering palay farmers to have substantial income; to alleviate
poverty in the palay farming communities in the province; to ensure supply of rice for supplemental feeding
programs in the province of Bohol; to ensure buffer stock of rice for calamities and disasters; and to encourage
buying local produce by instituting the culture of patronizing local products to start within the PGBh employees.
FARMER-RECIPIENTS
Some 11 Local Government Units (LGUs) with a total of 22 Irrigators’ Associations (IAs) identified with around
15,000 farmer-members are engaged in palay production, namely: Pilar (CARLIM, United PROHANCE IAs),
Batuan (Cansaway), Ubay (GABIBU, SANBABUE, SANLIP RALES), Alicia (Bohol BAGAICO, Kawasan –
Cayacay), Talibon (JOSSIDCO, ISIDJO, CEPLA), Dagohoy (Dagohoy Communal Irrigation System (CIS), San D
Mil), San Miguel (Lateral F, MAMAMIA, SAN BABUE), Bilar (ROXVIL, KUMILAW CIS), Carmen (Guadalupe
CIS, Villarcayo CIS), Candijay (Tugas CIS) and Loboc (Himilian CIS), they said.
They explained that the farmer-members of these IAs will have to sell their palay produce of at least 10% of their
expected gross yield to PGBh then the PGBh is responsible for the stocking, milling and packaging the palay at the
Rice Processing Complex (RPC) located in Poblacion, Pilar.
The support price is P19 per kilo clean and dry which is 14% Moisture Center (MC) palay plus P1 per kilo to
entice farmers to sell their palay produce to PGBh.
The buying price is based on the standard pricing that follows an equivalent net weight in the computation of the
palay price as cited in the following parameters: 14% MC of dried palay, purity of at least 98%, no discoloration or
damage in the palay grain.
There is a corresponding decrease in the price of palay if the moisture content will not meet the requirement,
percentage of purity, and higher percentage of discoloration and damage.
The PGBh through the OPA’s direct role for the program is to buy the palay of the farmer-recipients and pays the
equivalent amount, milling and packaging/ bagging to RPC; while the Provincial Economic Enterprise Management
Office (PEEMO) is the responsible office in the marketing aspect of the milled rice to the identified clients together
with OPA enterprise development section. The proceeds of the sales will be remitted to the Provincial Treasurer’s
Office (PTO).
If there are no changes the product name “Sun Rice” which is 100% Boholano rice will be formally launched this
month of which the premium rice has been sold at P2,100 per sack (50 kilos) or at P45 per kilo and the broken rice
to be sold at 1,200 or at P24 per kilo.
They said the ART 160 Program for the rice industry in Bohol is first of its kind. This is what our farmers need
to be secured of market for their produce every cropping season and with guaranteed price higher than the prevailing
price of the market.
They added that it is noted that the production cost per hectare of rice farming in Bohol is estimated to reach
P50,000 for hybrid rice to include the seeds, fertilizers, pesticide and insecticide, herbicide, labor and other related
expenses in rice farming. The estimated net profit of a farmer is P110,000 per hectare per cropping season or
P27,000 as income per month.
They viewed that the buy-back component of the ART 160 program it surely improves the income and lives of
our Boholano farmers in particular. It also contributes to the decrease of poverty incidence in our Province.
The program would also encourage the Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) to allocate funds to buy all
production yields of hybrid palay from their respective localities as a way of helping the farmers who have been
affected by the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL) that allows rice importation. (Atoy Cosap)

ADVANCED RICE TECHNOLOGY (ART) 160 Project under the administration of Gov. Art C. Yap
through its ART 160 Buy-Back Program helps the Boholano farmers to market and boost production. The
program intends to buy the 10% of the 3,000 hectares (has.) planted hybrid rice at P20 per kilo dried palay
with 14% moisture content this wet cropping season much higher compared to P16-P18palay prices from
local traders. FOTO Lorebien Lagapa, OPA Staff