NEWS

The winners of the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda’ng Bol-anon 2025 will be recognized and awarded on Thursday during a fitting ceremony at Plaza Rizal, in front of St. Joseph Cathedral in this city.

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will lead the awards presentation for winners in 23 of the 30 SUHID 2025 categories. Atilano G. Alijay, Jr. of Ubay received the ₱50,000 first prize for Outstanding Farmer in the Hybrid Rice‑Based Farming System. Sheila H. Balatero (Ubay) placed second with ₱30,000, while Aquileo S. Columnas (Carmen) took third prize of ₱15,000.

In the Inbred Rice‑Based Farming System category, first prize of ₱50,000 was awarded to Melchor G. Cainglet (Valencia), followed by Ester B. Ruloma (Calape) with ₱30,000 and Elma T. Salise (Carmen) with ₱15,000. For Outstanding Hybrid Corn Farmer, Gelyn I. Asares (Valencia) claimed ₱50,000, Victor T. Dayondon earned ₱30,000 in second place, and Ma. Linda C. Golosino (Ubay) took ₱15,000 in third.

Outstanding OPV Corn Farmer‑title‑holder was Teresita J. Gamale (Valencia), winning ₱50,000; Elvira B. Micutuan (Sierra‑Bullones) placed second with ₱30,000, and Priscilla V. Oreo (Ubay) secured ₱15,000 for third. Geoffrey G. Cepedoza (Danao) took ₱35,000 for Outstanding Integrated High‑Value Crops Farmer, with Casino L. Monil (Bilar) and Gabriel B. Espejo (Carmen) winning ₱20,000 and ₱15,000 respectively.

In the Outstanding Cacao Grower category, first prize of ₱35,000 went to Ernesto I. Macabenta (Maribojoc), second prize of ₱20,000 to Efrenia C. Holt (Calape), and third prize of ₱15,000 to Oscar G. Reyes (Valencia). Imelda G. Agbon (Carmen) was named Outstanding Cassava Farmer (₱35,000), followed by Roberto H. Soria (San Miguel, ₱20,000) and Alfonso L. Daverao (Sierra‑Bullones, ₱15,000).

Esmeraldo T. Mulato (Clarin) received ₱35,000 as Outstanding Banana Grower, with Imelda E. Idusma (Valencia, ₱20,000) and Marvin P. Day (Batuan, ₱15,000) named second and third respectively. Romulo G. Campoamor (Carmen) claimed ₱35,000 first prize as Outstanding Ubi Grower; Leonisa B. Buna (Ubay) and Alfredo P. Putong (Pilar) placed second and third, winning ₱20,000 and ₱15,000 respectively.

For Outstanding Tilapia Culture in Commercial Ponds, Dave A. Evangelista (Talibon) won ₱50,000, with Shirly B. Dalagan (Bilar) earning ₱30,000 and Arnel O. Lomod (Carmen) receiving ₱15,000. Outstanding Tilapia Culture in Backyard Ponds honored Cresencio D. Camposo (Carmen) with ₱50,000; Febio V. Vallecer (Antequera, ₱30,000) and Segundo R. Laranjo (Maribojoc, ₱15,000) placed second and third respectively.

The Outstanding Bangus Culture (Cage) award of ₱50,000 went to Benjamin “Boy” Banting Sarabosing Jr. (Ubay), with Aguiningnong Pondok sa Yanong Mananagat under Chairman Charlito A. Lingo (CPG) receiving ₱30,000 and Lucio A. Perales (Calape) taking ₱15,000.

In the Outstanding Fishermen’s Association category, the Ubay Fish Vendor Association led by Glenn B. Gavas earned ₱60,000; Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Bahi chaired by Bienvenido M. Besin (Alburquerque) won ₱30,000; and the Busalian Crab Pickers Association under Julieta G. Samuya (Talibon) received ₱20,000.

Angelito A. Oroyan (Talibon) was named Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist with a ₱30,000 prize, followed by Arlene Cabusao (Carmen) with ₱20,000 and Geoffrey E. Gulay with ₱15,000. The Outstanding Farmers Association – Program‑Based (DA and PGBh–OPA support project) award went to the GBL Irrigators Association of Ubay, chaired by Divina L. Salaum (₱60,000); second prize (₱30,000) was awarded to Nagkahiusang Mananagat ug Mag‑uuma sa Nueva Esperanza (Bien Unido), led by Wilfredo A. Gutang; and third prize (₱20,000) to Nagkahiusang Mag‑uuma sa Basacdacu, chaired by Teresita B. Manon‑og (Alburquerque).

The Outstanding Rural Woman awards honored Ma. Reina P. Perez (Loon) with ₱40,000, Jocelyn C. Ramirez (Carmen) with ₱20,000, and Jocelyn D. Hinampas (Guindulman) with ₱15,000. In the Outstanding Young Farmer (4‑H Club) category, Greenthumpreneurs advised by Annabelle L. Cereligia received ₱40,000; Island Green 4‑H Club under Zessicrel D. Mejias took ₱20,000; and Christopher Niño L. Mercado (Alburquerque) placed third with ₱15,000.

Outstanding Youth in Integrated Farming winners were Rhodman Joseph M. Ubas (Ubay, ₱35,000), Vivian B. Minguito (Carmen, ₱20,000), and Joyan Jannel Manggay (Clarin, ₱15,000). The Outstanding Young Farmer in Rural Community Service award of ₱35,000 went to Aries A. Berongoy (Guindulman), with Kenith H. Tanhente (Carmen) and Jasper M. Estodillo (Loon) receiving ₱20,000 and ₱15,000 respectively.

Angeles C. Opiala (Talibon) earned ₱20,000 as Outstanding Rice Technician, followed by Ananias C. Nuez (San Miguel, ₱15,000) and Glaiza V. Sanchez (Ubay, ₱10,000). For Outstanding Corn Technician, Zenaida A. Aparece (Talibon) secured ₱20,000, Artemia Y. Hamo (San Miguel) won ₱15,000, and Ronald P. Valentos (Carmen) received ₱10,000.

Outstanding Fish Technician honors went to Windyl E. Mejias (Ubay, ₱20,000), Restituto B. Polo (San Miguel, ₱15,000), and Antonino B. Pancho (Batuan, ₱10,000). Finally, Mary Ann T. De la Torre (Carmen) was named Outstanding HVCDP Technician with ₱20,000, Elma C. Amad (Valencia) received ₱15,000, and Ma. Trisha L. Rempillo (Ubay) was awarded ₱10,000.

The winners in the remaining seven categories—Outstanding Organic Agriculture Individual Practitioner, Outstanding Organic Agriculture LGU Implementer, Outstanding Organic Farming Family, Outstanding School Organic Implementer, Outstanding Organic Practitioner (Association), Outstanding Organic Agriculture Young Farmer, and Outstanding Organic Technician—will be recognized and awarded on October 16, 2025, during the World Food Day celebration in the province.

Governor Aumentado will deliver the keynote address. Vice Governor Pacifico Nicanor S. Besas will present his message, and Regional Executive Director of DA–7 Angel C. Enriquez, along with Vianney T. Ojerio, will share their support remarks.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog will present the welcome message, and Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas will explain the rationale of the competition. By Atoy Cosap

            The Sandugo Agri-Fair, an annual activity of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), will commence on Monday, July 14, 2025 and will run until Friday, July 18, 2025. The event, which showcases fresh agricultural products from Boholano farmers, will be held at Plaza Rizal, in front of St. Joseph Cathedral in Tagbilaran City.

            A total of 27 municipalities will participate as exhibitors, namely: Tagbilaran City, Calape, Carmen, Panglao, Loon, Lila, Ubay, Alburquerque, Talibon, Batuan, Duero, Loboc, Bien Unido, Dauis, San Miguel, Sierra-Bullones, Maribojoc, Getafe, Sikatuna, Antequera, Cortes, Bilar, Baclayon, Pilar, Sagbayan, Buenavista, and Dimiao.

            The fair will kick off with a motorcade contest at 1:00 PM, following a route from the Capitol Grounds to Bohol Wisdom School along CPG Avenue, ending at Plaza Rizal. Sixteen exhibitors are expected to participate in the motorcade.

            The Agri-Fair will feature a wide array of agricultural products for display and sale, including rice—especially the “Bugas Bol-anon”—as well as corn grits, vegetables, spices, root crops, bananas, and more, all at prices lower than those in wet markets.

            With the theme “Agrikultura sa Kasingkasing, Kinaiya, Kalamboan ug Kahiusahan,” the five-day fair will also include various contests with prizes at stake, such as: Motorcade, Best Booth and Product Display, Bangus Deboning, Tilapia Cleaning and Filleting, Net Mending, Most Promising Tilapia Processed Product, Most Promising Seaweed Processed Product, Vocal Solo, Love Duet, and Stand-Up Comedian competitions.

Out of the 27 Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) exhibitors, 25 will participate in the “Pinaka Contest,” which will showcase the best and biggest of the following: Jackfruit, Cardava Banana (bunch), Eggplant, Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya), Squash, Cacao, Coconut (Lubi Laya), Bottle Gourd (Upo), Sweet Potato (Camote), Taro (Gabi), Tilapia, and African Hito.

During the opening program, Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, President of Bohol Island State University (BISU), will deliver the keynote speech. Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado and Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap will offer their inspirational messages. Also delivering their messages of support are Director Angel C. Enriquez of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 7, Dr. Mario N. Ruinata, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 7, and Vianny T. Ojerio, Officer-in-Charge of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region 7.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog will deliver the welcome remarks, while Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas will present the rationale of the fair and acknowledge the participants.

Governor Aumentado will lead the local officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and formal opening of the exhibits. By Atoy Cosap

            The Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs) in the province of Bohol must be strengthened to increase marine and freshwater fish production, which would lead to higher incomes and a more sufficient food supply. As part of this initiative, consultations and summits have been conducted regularly.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, in her inspirational message during the FARMC Consultation/Summit held last July 4, 2025 at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)–Central Visayas Multi-Species Nursery Demo and Training Center in Bentig, Calape, Bohol, expressed appreciation for the spirit of volunteerism shown by FARMC members in the municipalities who are now actively engaged in their roles.

Provincial Agriculturist Quirog emphasized the importance of strengthening FARMCs through close collaboration with local officials. She also encouraged the public to raise their concerns regarding marine and freshwater care and development through the barangay councils and FARMCs, so that appropriate policies may be formulated for the benefit of all.

She also highlighted the current challenges facing the fisheries sector, such as the decline in fish catch and the increasing incidence of poverty due to loss of income and livelihood.

The FARMC in the Philippines was established through Executive Order No. 240 on April 28, 1995, to involve local fisherfolk and resource users in the planning and implementation of policies for the management, conservation, development, and protection of fisheries and aquatic resources. Government agencies are mandated to provide technical assistance, while law enforcement agencies are expected to help in the enforcement of environmental laws.

The functions and duties of FARMCs include: prepare and recommend fisheries and aquatic resource management policies and plans based on scientific assessments and bio-economic data, and integrate these plans into the broader Local Development Plan; recommend guidelines to local government units and specialized agencies for project development, implementation, and issuance of permits and licences; evaluate fisheries-related projects and applications prior to approval; and ensure resource use limits and controls are effectively implemented.

            The topics being discussed during the consultation/summit were: FishCore Project Overview by Pamela Sullano, Assistant Coordinator; I-Fit Result in Fishery Management Area 9 (FMA9): Key Findings and Future Directions by Albert Simbajon,OIC-MCS; Overview of the Harvest Strategy in FMA9 by Joanne Garcia, NSAP Project Leader; FARMC’s Legal Framework (Duties and Responsibilities) by Joel Lutao, OIC-Fisherfolk Operation; and How to access Budyong , FARMC ICT Social Media-Based Portal.

            The event was attended by FARMC chairpersons, secretaries, and treasurers, along with municipal councilors who chair the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Agriculture in 17 municipalities under FMA9 facing Mindanao. These municipalities include: Panglao, Dauis, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Garcia Hernandez, Carlos P. Garcia, Valencia, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Mabini, and Ubay.

            Mary Queen Atup, Head of the Fishery Division at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), explained that the summit specifically focused on the municipalities under FMA9 that are set to benefit from FishCore projects aimed at improving fisheries management and enhancing production value. She added that the municipalities under FMA10—namely Tagbilaran City, Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Buenavista, Getafe, Talibon, Trinidad, and Bien Unido—will also be given equal attention in future engagements.

The Fisheries Management Area (FMA) approach was established to encourage coastal local government units to serve as fisheries managers and take on shared responsibilities. This system promotes positive changes in the conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources, including Science-Based Management, Local Involvement, Sustainable Livelihoods, Ecosystem-Based Approaches, Participatory Governance, and a Transparent Framework. By Atoy Cosap

After the good harvest, the Boholano rice farmers are now busy for their rice planting activities covering 58,222 hectares of physical rice areas in the province of Bohol for this wet planting season.

            Maricel Barloso, the Provincial Rice Coordinator, said that most of the estimated 165,172 farmers are already engaged in planting, while only a few are still in the land preparation stage.

            Barloso revealed that of the 58,222 hectares of rice areas in the province, 30, 416 hectares are rainfed and mostly planted with inbred rice, while 27,806 hectares are irrigated and primarily planted with hybrid rice using the farm machineries and carabaos.

            Among all municipalities in the province, the town of Ubay has the largest rice area at 8,314 hectares. It is followed by Pilar (5,762 hectares), Dagohoy (4,128 hectares), San Miguel (3,750 hectares), and Carmen (3,707 hectares).

            Other rice areas in Bohol include the following: Siera-Bullones (2,818 hectares), Talibon (2,750 hectares), Guindulman (2,484 hectares), Alicia (1,721 hectares), Trinidad (1,677 hectares), Candijay (1,640 hectares), Catigbian (1,521 hectares), Mabini (1,385 hectares), Calape (1,294 hectares), Bien Unido (1,250 hectares), Batuan (1,008 hectares), Bilar ( 1,002), Valencia (818 hectares), Buenavista (756 hectares), Sagbayan (719 hectares), Danao (696 hectares), Tubigon (694 hectares), Garcia-Hernandez (691 hectares), Jagna (682 hectares), Duero (628 hectares), Getafe (578 hectares), Sevilla (558 hectares), Inabanga (547 hectares), Balilihan (554 hectares), Dimiao (527 hectares), Antequera (502 hectares), Pres. Garcia (460 hectares), San Isidro (405 hectares), Loboc (399 hectares), Clarin (397 hectares), Loon (373 hectares), Cortes (131 hectares) Alburquerque (113 hectares), Maribojoc (110 hectares), Loay (105 hectares), Baclayon (89 hectares), Lila (84 hectares), Anda (83 hectares), and Corella (65 hectares).

            Seizing the opportunity from the recent good harvest, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) is fast-tracking its Palay Buy-Back (PBB) Program at ₱24 per kilogram, with a 14% moisture content (MC).

            According to PBB Focal Person Lorebien N. Lagapa, the program has already achieved 71% of its target, with ₱7,095,000 disbursed out of the ₱10 million total allocation. The remaining balance stands at ₱2,904,472.

            Lagapa explained that under the Palay Buy-Back Program, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), led by Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, MNSA, handles the procurement, drying, milling, and packaging of palay. Meanwhile, the marketing and selling of Bugas Bol-anon, which is sold at ₱40 per kilogram, is managed by the Provincial Economic Enterprise and Management Unit (PEEMU) under Liza Flores. By Atoy Cosap

            The issues and concerns that have been encountered in the pursuit for sustainable agriculture in the province of Bohol have been addressed during the conduct of the Provincial Coordinating Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (PCCAF) meeting.

            This was the statement issued by Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog when she delivered a message during the PCCAF meeting last June 25, 2025 at the JJ’s Seafood Village that was attended by the following: members of the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC) which are the City Agriculture and Fishery Council (CAFC), and Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Councils (MAFCs); the Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs); and, the representatives from various agri-line agencies as she also congratulated, Pablita Cabarles of Manga National High School and Jomer Balag of Jolit’s Eco Garden and Integrated Farm as Grand Champions of the 50^th National Gawad Saka Search.   

            Quirog underscored the importance of CAFC and MAFC because they are the representatives of the beneficiaries for the services coming from the national and local governments through the MAs/MAOs.

            Through the PCCAF meeting, the MAs/MAOs, members or representatives from the councils and agri-line agencies could render the updates/reports for their agricultural developments, issues and concerns which could be endorsed to the provincial government and to the concern agri-line agencies to be resolved.

            The Provincial Agriculturist emphasized that all the councils are under the wing of the Provincial Government of Bohol headed by Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

            Also during the meeting, the personnel from the OPA updated the upcoming activities to include: the upcoming five days Sandugo Agri-Fair on July 14-18, 2025 to be held at the Plaza Rizal this city of which there are 27 towns confirmed to join; Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang ug Mangingisdang Bol-anon awarding of winners on July 17, 2025 in line with the 5-day celebration of the agri-fair; Gulayan sa Paaralan awarding of winners on October 16, 2025 which coincide with the celebration of World Food Day; and the Ubi Festival in December this year.

            Vianney T. Ojerio, OIC- Center Director of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) 7 informed that in their budget they make it sure of more trainings to be conducted in the future; while Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Medallyn Paman updated the African Swine Fever (ASF) cases of the province of which as of June 24, 2025 there have been 18 towns or 52 barangays out of the 177 barangays from the 37 towns are still affected with the virus.

            Other partners who rendered their reports were the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation (PCIC), PhilRice, and PAG-ASA. By Atoy Cosap