NEWS

The KADIWA on Wheels selling rice, corn grits, dried fish, root crops, bananas, fresh vegetables and spices at
the Provincial Engineering Covered Court, New Capitol Building Compound, Cogon, Tagbilaran City last
Wednesday registered the highest sales in a span of eight hours selling as most of the displayed products were sold.

Helen Igot, Agribusiness Division, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) disclosed that the sales of the
one – day activity that was conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Provincial Government of
Bohol (PGBh) through the OPA would reach to P182, 189. 00.

There were 11 exhibitors of the KADIWA on Wheels coming from the different OPA, and DA assisted farmers
associations and a cooperative in the province and a cooperative from Cebu namely: Demetria Nemenso from Ubay,
selling rice and squash had a total of P43, 350. 00; Lolay Mesiona (Catigbian), selling rice and corn grits (P34,
900.00); Agapita Garrote (Antequera), selling dried fish (P26, 350.00); Richard Allego (FCCT Cooperative-Cebu),
selling vegetables and spices (P20, 633.00); Pablito Quinal (Danao), selling fresh vegetables (P14, 905.00); Elma
Amad (Valencia), selling vegetables and spices (P12, 100.00);

Analie Palomas (Tagbilaran), selling eggs (P8, 925.00); Susan Yatong (Kahugpungan sa Bol-anong Organikong
Mag-uuma), selling rice, vegetables, spices and Tablea (P8, 000.00); Evalyn Cadayona (Carmen), selling Sweet
Corn (P6, 500.00); Gandioso Tagupa (PNB-KGB- Carmen), selling banana and vegetables (P4, 645.00); and, Inday
Escalona (AIM-Balilihan), selling Puto Maya, Suman Balanghoy (cassava), and Dinumugan (P1, 881.00).
Quinal expressed elation for the conduct of the KADIWA on Wheels as she said that the vegetable
growers/farmers have been facing the problems on where they sell their products.

He said that some of them have become discouraged to go on farming because there is no sure markets for their
products as he asked the provincial government to establish permanent market for them while he assured that their
products will be sold at farm gate prices.

Igot disclosed that after the successful conduct of the KADIWA on Wheels last Wednesday, Provincial
Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog wrote a letter to Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado suggesting that the KADIWA
on Wheels will be conducted weekly at the same venue.

However, Igot informed that another program of the government of which the Boholanos can avail the services
like the KADIWA on Wheels that is the three-day “KADIWA ng Pangulo” which will be conducted on March 15,
16 and 17, 2024 at the old City Airport wherein the people also can buy rice, dried fish, processed products, spices,
root crops and vegetables from the OPA, DA, and BFAR assisted farmers/fisherfolks associations in Bohol. By Atoy
Cosap

KADIWA ON WHEELS. The KADIWA on Wheels which was conducted last Wednesday at the Provincial
Engineering Covered Court, New Capitol Building Compound, Cogon, Tagbilaran City has gotten supports from the
Boholanos buying public as most of the products displayed were sold.

Some 9, 834.11 hectares (has.) from the total number of 23, 000 has. rice planted in the rainfed areas in Bohol
have been threatened to be affected with dry spell if there is no intervention to be made by the government such as
the conduct of Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs).

It was known during the rice technicians meeting last Thursday held at the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center
(BAPC) Function Hall that only those being planted in rainfed areas in the month of January with an area of 9, 834.11 has. will most likely be affected but for those being planted earlier starting November to December last year are safe in which
some areas of these have already been harvesting their planted rice.

The crop standing planted of the threatened areas are vegetative stage which needs more supply of water to fully
fill-up its grains.

Leonardo Samar from Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-
ASA) reported that although the El Nino has weakened but based on their monthly rainfall forecast the months of
March, April and May the portion of the western part of Bohol will experience way below normal rainfall condition
or there are 60% and above rainfall reduction; while the portion of the eastern part of Bohol will experience below
normal rainfall condition or 20% to 60% rainfall reduction.

The portion of the Western Part of Bohol is comprising the towns of Loon, Maribojoc, Balilihan, Alburquerque,
Sikatuna, Tagbilaran City, San Isidro, Antequera, and corella as the towns of Talibon, Ubay, Trinidad, Pilar, Mabini,
Jagna and Garcia Hernandez are situated in the eastern portion of Bohol

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Quick Response Fund (QRF) by the Provincial
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has the ready reserved fund in the amount of P2.5M
and the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) has P5M
allocation both intended for Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs).

But both could not release the funds because of some valid reasons. For instance, the PGBh could not yet use the
allocation because the province is not declared as State of Calamity (SoC) considering there are no reported crops
damages. While, the DA also couldn’t use the P5M because of the directive from the President Ferdinand R.
Marcos, Jr. last December 19, 2023 directed the Department of National Defense (DND) and DA to exclude the
conduct of CSOs from the immediate-term solutions to El Nino due to the lack of scientific data on their
effectiveness.

According to Executive Secretary Lucas P. Barsamin that during the Cabinet Meeting on December 19, 2023, the
DND mentioned CSOs as one of the immediate-term solutions to El Nino, particularly to supplement crop water
needs during low rainfall. The President, however, expressed reservations on the effectiveness of CSOs to address
the effects of El Nino.

Along with this, the PGBh and the DA have been monitoring the status of the standing crops.
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog urged the rice technicians in Bohol to monitor specific commodities in
their respective localities and report immediately to the provincial government through OPA and DA on whatever
damages have been reported.

Quirog emphasized that the rice technicians and so with the OPA personnel must go to the field and get the first-
hand information regarding the real situation outside the office. They have to guide the farmers on what they are
going to do to mitigate the impact of dry spell and they must have possessed more knowledge in agriculture
compared to the farmers.

The provincial agriculturist assured the rice technicians that the PGBh under the administration of Governor
Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado and Vice-Governor Dionisio Victor Balite and with the strong collaboration of the DA
have always looking at any interventions for the agri-fishery sector. By Atoy Cosap

RICE TECHNICIANS MEETING. Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog and Provincial Agricultural Technology
Coordinating Officer Roman Dabalos lead the rice technicians in Bohol on their first quarter meeting held at the
Function Hall, Bohol Agricultural and Promotion Center (BAPC), Dao, Tagbilaran City. Quirog urges the rice
technicians to make close monitoring to specific commodity to come up with accurate reporting. Photo by Jessica
Majerano, OPA staff.

As part of the administration’s strategic direction for the development of the agri-fishery sector of the province,
the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) together with
the stakeholders has crafted various programs that would benefits the Tilapia raisers in Bohol.

According to Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog one of these is the PGBh through the OPA will conduct a
three-day Tilapia Festival slated on May 29, 30, and 31, 2024 to be held at the Old City Airport, Cogon, Tagbilaran
City.

Quirog said the festival aims to decrease the high prices of capture fishes in the markets; to present the Tilapia
cuisine to Boholano consumers in order to raise awareness and palatability; to encourage upland farmers and to
engage in upland aquaculture projects aside from rice farming as an additional income;

To develop awareness in the management and conservation of freshwater and aquatic culture to enhance the
resources; to provide livelihood to the farmers by producing marketable fish supply for sale; and, to enhance the
enterprise capability of the farmers through processing and marketing aspect.

She added that this event will also serve as a platform to showcase the province’s commitment to maintaining a
thriving and eco-friendly Tilapia industry; engage and educate the farmers, fishermen and attendees about the
significance of sustainable aquaculture.

During the opening program, Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will deliver his inspirational message as
Director Mario Ruinata, BFAR-7, Congressman Edgar M. Chatto (1 st  District), Congresswoman Maria Vanessa C.
Aumentado (2 nd  Dist.), Congresswoman Alexie B. Tutor (3 rd  Dist.) will give their messages of support; while Quirog
will cite the rationale and Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte will do the welcome message.

The three-day event will be highlighted with different contests categories with prizes at stake to wit: Tilapia
Cleaning and Filleting, Most Promising Tilapia Processed Product/Cooking, Biggest Tilapia, Tilapia Festival Photo,
Tilapia-Speed Eating, Tilapia Deboning, Best Booth, Most Participative LGUs

Along with this initiative, Salvio Madanguit, Fish Buy Back Coordinator in the PGBh last Friday during the
Capitol Reports urged the Boholanos to eat inland fishes such as Bangus, Tilapia and Hito as alternatives to capture
o pelagic fishes whose supplies sometime become scarce and the prices are high.

Bohol despite the vast fishing grounds, there is still a gap on fish production as the demand is high to meet the
fish consumption among Boholanos.

Based on records of OPA, Boholanos consume 50, 522, 000 kilos of fish annually which is equivalent to over 50,
000 metric tons based on per capita consumption of 38.5 kilos per a Boholano annually  for the province of having
1.3M fish eating population. But Bohol only got 231, 021, 000 kilos/year or 21 metric tons (42%) translating a
deficit of 29, 029, 000 kilos or 58%.

Increase inland fish production and patronizing these fishes to eat could really gradually address and neutralize
the high prices of fishes in Bohol, the provincial agriculturist concluded. By Atoy Cosap

AQUACULTURE FISHERIES. Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog urges the Boholanos to eat Tilapia,
Bangus and Hito to neutralize the high demand of scarce supplies of capture fishes and soaring its prices.

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado sees the need to fully develop the highland areas in the 3 rd  District of
Bohol for vegetables as the demand is high for the 1.4 million Boholanos and 1.3 tourists annually.

During the press conference last Tuesday in his residence in Dauis, Bohol, and during the Agri-Fishery
Consultative Meeting at the Ceremonial Hall, 4 th  Floor, New Capitol building last Thursday, Gov. Aumentado said
that the possibility is not remote that the province will experience the shortages of vegetables supply from Mindanao
if the calamity would hit the region like what had happened in other provinces in Mindanao that experienced
floodings.

Aumentado said that we should not be always dependent on sources from other provinces, but instead we have to
produce our owned vegetables from the highland areas in Bohol especially in the 3 rd  District.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has already identified known vegetables areas in the 3 rd  District
such as in barangays Mayana, Calabasita, Boctol, Canjulao and Buyog in Jagna; Taytay in Duero and some
barangays in the towns of Guindulman, Sierra-Bullones and Pilar.

Rufa Ugay, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) coordinator in the province disclosed that there
are vegetables grower associations in the identified municipalities have been assisted by the Office of the Provincial
Agriculturist (OPA). 

These places are suitable for planting vegetables because of its cold weather condition considering some of these
areas have the elevation of 819 meters above sea level and considered as some of the highest peak in Bohol.
The governor said that the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has been coordinating with the DA for the
establishments of markets which are important to encourage the farmers to produce more agricultural products.
Aumentado has cited two Bagsakan Centers to be established in Tawala and Libaong, Panglao and in Tagbilaran
City.

The centers serve as the direct displaying areas for agricultural products from the Boholano farmers whose prices
are cheaper than those of the public markets.

The PGBh through the OPA has no letting up in giving of some interventions to the agri-fishery sector.
Just recently, during the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon 2023 tilt, some vegetable growers
received power sprayers, garden cultivators, and water pumps as prizes.

The OPA also has been distributed vegetable seeds during week days for those  who have come to the office for
backyard gardening. By Atoy Cosap

In an effort of the province of Bohol to increase production of Tilapia fry and fingerlings, and provide invaluable
knowledge and skills on how to operate and manage Tilapia hatchery and nursery, the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-7 with the strong collaboration of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through
the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) had just conducted the Hands-on Training Workshop on Tilapia
Hatchery Operation and Nursery Management last February 12-16, 2024 in Clarin Freshwater Fish Farm (CFFF) at
Caluwasan, Clarin, Bohol.

The five-day training were conducted by Provincial Fishery Officer Candido Samijon and Pedro Milana, Officer-
In-Charge, Clarin Freshwater Fish Farm and participated by the Municipal Agriculturists (MAs) and Fishery
Technicians (FTs) from the towns of Pilar, Sevilla, and Valencia; Fishery Technician from Talibon; staff from the
Fishery Division, OPA; and private individual.

The training workshop includes: proper pond preparation, stocking sexing, clipping, dissecting, collection of
eggs and incubation, collection of fry and fingerlings, feeding, counting sizing, packing, among others.

The workshop was also intended for the MAs and FTs of Pilar, Sevilla, Valencia and Talibon as these
municipalities are set to receive the amount of P1.5 million each from the provincial government for the
establishment of the hatchery in their respective locality of which the processes have been ongoing.
The PGBh through the ISDA Program of OPA has continued to work to address the low supply of fish to feed
the 1.4M Boholanos at 38 kilograms per capita consumption and the soaring price of such commodity in Bohol.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog disclosed that the provincial government has been aggressively
implementing more interventions for the development of inland fisheries (Tilapia and Hito), Bangus Aquaculture,
Marine Aquaculture (Fish Cages) as she urged the Boholanos fish consuming public to eat Tilapia, Hito and Bangus
as the alternative for the captured fish.

Along with this quest, Quirog also bared that on March 21, the OPA with Governor Erico Aristotle C.
Aumentado will turn over the 41 units of 22-Footer Fabricated Motorized Fiber Glass Boats to 41 fishermen’s
associations from the six coastal/island barangays to be held in Talibon of which of the 41 boats, 15 units for
Talibon, 7 units each for Inabanga and Buenavista, 6 (Getafe), 4 (CPG), and two units for Tubigon.

She stressed that there are 100 units of this kind of boats powered by 7.5 Horsepower (HP) where 31 units of
these were already turn over to Bien Unido (20 units) and Ubay (11 units) as the fabrication works are ongoing for
the remaining units such boats were acquired under the Typhoon Odette and COVID-19 Intervention Program in CY
2022-2023.

According to Quirog for CY 2024-2025, the provincial government aimed to provide and distribute another set
of 120 units to the fishermen’s associations in Garcia Hernandez, Getafe, CPG, Buenavista, Inabanga,  Clarin,
Trinidad, Panglao, Dauis, Loon, Candijay, Mabini, Anda, Calape, Guindulman, Valencia, Loay, Alburguerque,
Baclayon and Tagbilaran and other coastal/island barangays and municipalities to be used in their daily livelihood
activities that support and sustain the basic needs of their families as well as increase fish catch and fish
production. By Atoy Cosap

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), and the Bureau
of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) have been waiting for the
finalization of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for signing between the PGBh and BSWM to the conduct of
Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) to the watershed areas in Bohol to mitigate the impact of dry spell as forecasted
by the Philippine Atmospheric Geo-Physical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) to hit the
province.

The MOA is now under review by the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) to ensure the legality to enter into an
agreement between the PGBh and BSWM. Once the MOA has been completely reviewed it will pass through to the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol (SP) for the passage of a resolution authorizing Governor Erico Aristotle C.
Aumentado to sign the agreement.

The move of the provincial government to conduct CSOs is an offshoot after receiving the resolutions late last
year from the Malinao Dam Federation of Irrigators Association (MADFIA), Inc., Pilar, Bohol; BAYCAPA FIA,
Inc. of Calanggaman, Ubay, Bohol; and Federation of Talibon SRIS Irrigators Association, (FETASIA), Inc.,
Zamora, Talibon, Bohol requesting the provincial government to allocate funds for CSOs.

The resolutions cited the needs to produce water due to artificial rains to be used in this cropping season as PAG-
ASA forecasted the coming of dry spell.

Leonardo Samar from PAG-ASA said that based on all data they have been using, some provinces of the country
to include Bohol will experience dry spell condition starting this month of February that will persist until May 2024.
Samar disclosed that based on their assessment on the first day of February, the last quarter of last year until the
end of January this year had not affected by the dry spell.

However, they forecasted that starting this month until May Bohol and other provinces will experience below
normal rainfall condition or dry spell.

Samar explained that weather condition can be called as dry spell if the below normal rainfall condition persists
up to four consecutive months or the way below normal rainfall condition would be experienced within two
consecutive months as the drought weather condition happens when the way below normal rainfall condition would
hit for three consecutive months.

Along with this, the PGBh through the OPA had requested BSWM technical assistance and funds amounting to
P7.5M to augment the budgeted amount worth P2.5M under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Office (PDRRMO). Accordingly, the BSWM set aside an allocation this year worth P18M to conduct CSOs for the
three provinces to include Bohol.

In reply for the technical assistance, Engr. Cecile Opada from DA-7 said that the BSWM sent Engr. Corazon d.
Ditarro and Engr. Jocel I. Mendoza from the Water Resources Management Division in coordination with the DA-
Regional Cloud Seeding Operation Team composed of Engr. Noel T. Cahiles, APCO Roman M. Dabalos, Ms. Maria
Rayne Ruiz and she herself to conduct pre-cloud seeding assessment and site validation last January 22-26, 2024 to
the four major dams in Bohol namely: Malinao Dam in Pilar; Bayongan Dam (San MIgfuel), Capayas Dam (Ubay),
and Zamora Dam in Talibon.

After the pre-cloud seeding assessment and site validation, the team during the exit conference highly
recommended to conduct cloud seeding operations from March to May to impound sufficient rain water of the dams
to lessen the impact of El Nino to agricultural crops, livestock, fisheries and even human lives.

Other than CSOs, the PGBh through OPA has drawn some mitigating measures such as: early planting, water
detection and drilling as other source of water.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog also as early as September of last year had recommended to the
Boholano farmers to do the early planting for the dry cropping season to anticipate the looming El Nino.

Quirog said that the OPA has been catering the requests for water aquifer detection using the three units of Geo –
Resistivity Equipment owned by the provincial government with the corresponding rentals as stipulated in a
provincial ordinance to wit: P10, 000 for the Local Government Unit/Barangay Unit and P20, 000 for private.
Last Wednesday, the LGU Calape Waterworks availed the service of the equipment for aquifer detection in
barangay Catmonan, Calape and at the deep of 262 ft., the water aquifer was detected. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA)
personally delivered the farm equipment directly to the winners of the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-
anon 2023 to their respective residences.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog had ordered to deliver the units to the doorsteps of the winners after the
monetary prizes for the winners of the 24 categories of the SUHID’23 they already received last November
28, 2023, during the Awarding Ceremony held at the Bohol Cultural Center this city as the Inventory Receipt of
Property (IRP) for the equipment have been prepared by the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO).

The SUHID 2023 winners who received the first batch of the equipment being delivered in the second week of
January were the following: Joselito C. Baculi in Ubay who received a 1 unit of Power Tiller (mud boats) as
Outstanding Farmer on Integrated Rice Based-Farming System; Ubay Malingin Irrigators Association through its
Chairman Manolito C. Basilad (Malingin, Ubay) – 1 unit of Garden Cultivator and 1 unit of Power Tiller as
Outstanding Farmer’s Association (program based);

Vidal L. Jumawid (Pob. Sur, Carmen) – 1 unit of Garden Cultivator as Outstanding Cassava Farmer; Romulo G.
Campoamor (Villafuerte, Carmen) – 1 unit of Garden Cultivator as Outstanding Ubi Grower; Rubilyn S. Bajinting
(Guadalupe, Carmen) – 1 unit of Garden Cultivator as Outstanding Rural Woman; Jomer M. Balag (Cambacay,
Batuan) – 1 unit of Garden Cultivator as Outstanding Organic Agriculture Individual Practitioner.

LASOVEGA (La Suerte Organic Vegetable Growers Association) through Raquel L. Lacar in La Suerte, Pilar –
2 units of Garden Cultivator as Outstanding Organic Practitioner (Association); Pablito B. Quinal (Tabok, Danao) –
1 unit of Garden Cultivator as Outstanding Integrated High Value Crops Farmer; Danahaw Integrated School
(Secondary) 4H Club (Clarin) through Baltazara T. Monton – 1 unit of Garden Cultivator as Outstanding Young
Farmer Organization.

While other SUHID winners who are about to receive the other farm equipment on February as their prizes
namely: Carmelita I. Cadorniga (Imelda, Ubay) – 1 unit of Corn Sheller as Outstanding Hybrid Corn Farmer-
Conventional Hybrid Variety; Elvira B. Micutuan (La Union Sierra-Bullones) – 1 unit of Corn Sheller as
Outstanding OPV Corn Farmer; Jane B. Noculan (Carmen) – 1 unit of Power Sprayer as Outstanding Rice
Technician; Crispina A. Caballero (Ubay) – 1 unit of Power Sprayer as Oustanding Corn Technician; Windyl E.
Mejias (Ubay) –  1 unit of Power Sprayer as Outstanding Fishery Technician;

Arlene D. Cabussao (Carmen) – 1 unit Power Sprayer as Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist; Mary Ann T. Dela
Torre (Carmen) – 1 unit of Power Sprayer as Outstanding HCVDP Technician; Guillermo M. Lucip (San Miguel) –
1 unit of Power Sprayer as Outstanding Organic Technician; Jose C. Andoy (Mandaug, Calape) – 2 units of Power
Sprayer as Outstanding Banana Grower and Ernesto I. Macabenta (Tinibgan, Maribojoc) – 1unit of Mechanical
Pruner as Outstanding Cacao Grower.

The five other winners that will most likely receive their prizes on March or April once the AIMS who was the
winning supplier of the equipment could completely deliver all the units based on the signed contract agreement
between them and the provincial government.

They are Benjamin Sarabosing, Jr.  in Juagdan, Ubay who will receive one unit of Fiber Glass Boat as
Outstanding Bangus Culture (cage); KAGAMMASI (Kahugpungan sa Gagmay’ng Mananagat ug Mag-uuma sa
Sinandigan) through its Chairman Jose Q. Cuyno of Sinandigan, Ubay – 1 unit of Fabricated Pump Boat as
Outstanding Fishermen’s Association; Catalino E. Sumatra, Jr. (Carmen) – 2 units of Water Pump as Outstanding
Tilapia Culture (commercial pond); Jaime C. Aranay (Guindulman) – 2 units of Water Pump as Outstanding Tilapia
Culture (Backyard Pond); and Dave E. Evangelista (Sto. Nino, Talibon) – 2 units of Water Pump as Outstanding
Bangus Culture (Pond).

The Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon is an annual program of the provincial government aimed at
recognizing and awarding the efforts of the agri-fishery sector who have not letting up in helping the PGBh in
shaping up the agricultural landscape of Bohol. By Atoy Cosap

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog underscored the vital roles of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
(OPA) to reach and inform the Agri-fishery sector in the community regarding the mandate of the office of ensuring
food sufficiency and security and increase agricultural productivity and income among the members of the sector.
It may be recalled that in every first Monday of the month, the OPA has conducted a General Assembly to be
participated by all employees of OPA, Provincial Agriculturist Quirog has been stressed the important role of the
OPA employees which are considered as the role model by the agri-fishery sector and as such we have to live such
expectation by showing them that we are capable or deserving in doing our jobs to lead them towards agricultural
upliftment.

 Quirog emphasized this as she said that the closed to two hundred employees of the Office of the Provincial
Agriculturist (OPA) must not only doing their jobs at the office of the Provincial Capitol Building but also outside in
doing field works, touching the muds and experiencing the scorching heat of the sun as what have been done and
experienced by the farmers and fisherfolks.

Along with this, last January 27, 2024, Provincial Agriculturist Quirog divided the OPA employees into four
groups to conduct farm action to the four facilities to wit: Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology Center
(BOATECH) in Gabi, Ubay; Provincial Multi-Species Fresh Water Fresh Hatchery in Bohol Island State University
(BISU) Bilar main Campus, Zamora, Bilar; Balilihan Nursery in Del Carmen Weste, Balilihan; and in the Macaas
Nursery in barangay Macaas, Tubigon, Bohol.

Together with Provincial Agriculturist Quirog and OPA regular and job order workers were Executive Assistants
for Agriculture:  Engr. Ricardo Oblena, Nunila M. Pinat, Alfeo Piloton and Salvio Madanguit who is the ISDA
Program Provincial Coordinator in the PGBh.

This farm action has been conducted quarterly even if that these facilities have been maintained by some regular
and job order workers from OPA but considering the spacious areas to be managed and maintained, thus the farm
actions have been conducted, Quirog emphasized.

The BOATECH facility is the biggest among all facilities which consists the areas of 15 hectares (has.) and has
only managed by 15 regular and job order employees; Balilihan Nursery has two has. maintained by 14; Macaas
Nursery has more than a has. has taken cared by 10 employees; while the Provincial Multi-Species Fresh Water Fish
Hatchery at the BISU Bilar Main Campus which has also an area of almost a hectare is also managed by 7
employees.

The income of the facilities from the rents of the farm equipment in BOATECH, sales from the vegetables and
other agricultural products to include the Tilapia fry from the hatchery in Bilar would go to the Provincial
Treasurer’s Office (PTO) coffee. By Atoy Cosap

In an effort to boost Tilapia fish production that would lead to lower the high prices of fish in the province, the
Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Municipal Local
Government Units (MLGUs) through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) are now using the NIA Dams in Bohol for
Tilapia Fingerlings stockings.

Last Tuesday, about 150, 000 Tilapia fingerlings were stocked at the Malinao Dam in Pilar, Bohol which has an
area of 143 hectares taking parts of five barangays namely: Población, Lumboy, Aurora, Pamacsalan and Del Pilar.
According to newly retired Pilar Municipal Agriculturist (MA) Carmen Cubrado that it would be the 6 th  Tilapia
Fingerlings stockings being done at Malinao Dam of which five during her time as MA and one after typhoon
Odette which was done last Tuesday.

During the preliminary program before the stockings of Tilapia fingerlings, Mayor Wilson Pajo of Pilar in his
message thanked the provincial government and BFAR to grant their request for fingerlings stockings at the dam.
Mayor Pajo said that this would create supplementary livelihood among fisherfolks in the locality when it
becomes harvestable after four to five months.

Pajo stressed that the municipal government has allowed free fishing at the dam. However, he emphasized that
the fisherfolks are not allowed to use the fine nets.  

He added that the fisherfolks are not also allowed to go on fishing when the water of the dam is below normal
level so as not to destroy the fingerlings at the dam.

Executive Assistant for Agriculture Nunila M. Pinat for and in behalf of Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado
said that the provincial government is always looking at the problem of high prices of fish caused by the low of
supply and demand.

Pinat said, the Tilapia Fingerlings stocking is part of the ISDA Program of the province aiming at lowering the
prices of fish by increasing fish production.

Queenie Madrio Atop, Chief- Fishery Division, OPA said that of the 150, 000 fingerlings, there are about 80%
survival rate or120, 000 Tilapia Fingerlings have been survived.

Atop stressed that if we value the 120, 000 Tilapia Fingerlings in four to five months that would probably weigh
to 30, 000 kilos at four to five pieces per kilo and to be sold at P160/kilo it will cost at P4, 800, 000.

The fingerlings stocking at the dams has no expenses because it does not require feeding but they will live free
range at the dam, Atop disclosed.

She said that during the coordination meeting with NIA and BFAR the other week held at the Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, 3 rd  Floor, New Capitol Building, Candido T. Samijon, Center Chief, CFFM
Caluasan, Clarin – BFAR DA-7 said that he asked NIA the areas of all the dams in Bohol for allocation of
fingerlings stockings with the ratio of 1, 000 fingerlings per one hectare.

There are four major dams in Bohol namely: Bayongan Dam in San Miguel, Capayas Dam in Ubay, Zamora
Dam in Talibon, and the Malinao Dam in Pilar, Bohol. By Atoy Cosap