NEWS

The KADIWA Program of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial
Agriculturist (OPA) now selling not only rice, eggs, dried fish, root crops, banana, spices and vegetables every
Wednesday of the week at the Provincial Engineering Office Covered Court, Cogon, Tagbilaran City from Boholano
farmers but also fish as well.

Starting last Wednesday, fish trader Aspar M. Ambay from Zamboanga brought here the different kinds of fish
sold at the KADIWA with lower prices compared than those at the malls and wet markets.

The fish prices per kilogram – Molmol (small – P260, big – P280), Kyampao – P180, Danggit – P280, Tamarong
– P180, Kumay – P180, and Banak at P150/kilo.

Based on the weekly fish prices monitoring conducted by the OPA, the prices differ of at least P20 per kilogram.
According to Queenie B. Atop, Head – Fishery Division, OPA bared that the KADIWA shall be conducted every
Wednesday of the week and Ambay has been promised to sell his fish here.

Atop said that last January 6, 2026, the fish trader came to OPA and made a formal negotiation with the PGBh to
bring the fish from Zamboanga and sell it at the KADIWA at lower prices.

She explained that no single centavo from the provincial government has given as counterpart in this endeavour.
However, it is entrusted to facilitate for the display area and the use for free of the cold storage facility.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog is hopeful that the lower price fish would continue be available at the
KADIWA to encourage fish trader from other provinces to sell their fish catch here as she urged the Boholanos that
this time of high prices of captured marine fishes to eat the in-land cultured fishes like Bangus and Tilapia. By Atoy
Cosap

The province of Bohol is potential for coffee plantation which could help Boholano farmers for their additional
income.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog bared that in the towns of Mabini, Ubay, and Alicia only, there are more
than 493 hectares (has.) identified as very high potential areas for coffee plantation.

Quirog together with Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas last January 3, 2026 visited the
Amoguis Coffee Estates (ACE) Farms in San Roque, Mabini, owned and managed by Manny Rey Amoguis.
The Provincial Agriculturist said that Amoguis was working in the United States of America, but came home to
manage a coffee plantation.

Amoguis disclosed that his farm having an area of 25 hectares (has.) in multiple sites had started last 2019 and
planted approximately not less than 12, 000 Liberica Coffee trees variety.

He said that he is still actively planting towards the end of the rainy season on February aiming to plant 6, 000
Liberica Coffee seedlings.

Amoguis stressed that Liberica is the world rarest coffee of which less than 2% of the world commercially
grown.

Liberica Coffee otherwise known as Barako Coffee which the province of Batangas is very famous for and
portion of Cavite and Bukidnon.

He informed that last January 10-11, 2026, the First Bohol Liberica Coffee Festival was conducted at his farms
with special guests in the coffee world coming from Bulacan, Dumaguete and local expert from Garcia Hernandez,
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), OPA, and all stakeholders in the coffee
industry.

Amoguis thanked the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) led by Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado
and Vice-Governor Nick Besas, Quirog and Pamugas for their strong support in their quest geared towards the
development of the industry. By Atoy Cosap

Despite of the bad weather condition, some P1, 136, 313.80 were the total sales of the sold Ubi tubers
during the 2-day Ubi Festival 2025 conducted last Wednesday and Thursday held at the Plaza Rizal, this
city.

Of the P1, 136, 333.80 total sales, the P1,029, 304.80 of it was from the Ubi raw sales, P31,716 (Ubi
processed sales), and the P75,313 (other agriculture products).

There were 19 Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) participated the festival namely: Getafe,
Carmen, Panglao, Dimiao, Alburquerque, Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Sikatuna, Pilar, Talibon, Baclayon,
Loboc, Valencia, Cortes, Corella, Ubay, Alicia and San Isidro; private exhibitors (EJ’s Ube Halaya, AtoAni
Agriventures Inc., Purles Women, Lamac, MPC, KBoOM, Pryce Gas, and Gazeebo Loondon; Agri-Line
Agencies (BISU-Bilar Campus and ATI-7, Department of Agriculture, and Nations Food Authority (NFA).
The Ubi Festival was originally scheduled for three days but due to Tropical Depression “Wilma” that
put Bohol under signal No. 1, the last day of selling of Ubi tubers was cancelled to prevent damage on the
displayed products and to protect the lives of the exhibitors.

Carrying the theme “Ubi’ng Bol-anon: Tinubdan sa Pagkaon, Garbo sa Kulturang Bol-anon,” the
festival featured contests with prizes at stake as the winners were the following: Ubi Festibal Queen 2025
winners crowned as Ubi Festival Queen 2025 – Denia Deiparine (Carmen), 1 st  runner-up – Crisan Rose
Tabigue (Valencia), 2 nd  Runner-up – Dianna Mae Bonao (Panglao), Best in Thematic Costume – Katrice
Alessandra Racho (Maribojoc), Best in Production Number – Denia Deiparine (Carmen);

Best Farmer’s Rondalla: 1 st  – LGU (Carmen), 2 nd  (Candungao Rondalla (San Isidro), 3 rd  (LGU Calape );
Video Contest:  1 st  – (LGU Panglao), 2 nd  – (LGU Valencia), 3 rd  – (LGU Baclayon); Most participating LGU –
1 st  (LGU Carmen), 2 nd  – (LGU Valencia), 3 rd  – (LGU Panglao); Highest Sales – 1 st  – (LGU Ubay); 2 nd  –
(LGU Carmen); 3 rd  (LGU Pilar); Highest Volume – 1 st  (LGU Ubay), 2 nd  – (LGU Carmen), 3 rd  – (LGU
Valencia); Motorcade – 1 st  (LGU Carmen), 2 nd  – (LGU Panglao), 3 rd  – LGU Valencia).

For Pinaka Ubi contest of different varieties: Tam-isan – 1 st  – Virginia Sernada – Carmen), 2 nd  (Leonisa
Buna (Ubay), 3 rd  – Allan Madronero (Dimiao); Kabus-ok – 1 st – Allan Madronero (Dimiao), 2 nd  – Romulo
Campoamor (Carmen), 3 rd  – Veneranda Lungay (Cortes); Baligonhon – 1 st  – Boby Pahit (Valencia), 2 nd  –
Mario Ochea (Carmen), 3 rd  – Allan Madronero (Dimiao); Kinampay – 1 st  – Roldan Daligdig (Carmen), 2 nd  –
Cipriano Curay (Alicia), 3 rd  – Vivencio Lingatong (Cortes);

Best in Ubi Street Dancing – 1 st  (LGU-Carmen), 2 nd  (LGU-Panglao), 3 rd  (LGU-Valencia), and Best
Booth and Product Display_ 1 st  (LGU Valencia), 2 nd  (LGU Carmen), 3 rd  (Loon).

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado thanked the exhibitors for their continued commitment and
support to enhance the Ubi industry in the province of Bohol.

Gov. Aumentado said that the provincial government is consistently supporting the agri-fishery sector
to alleviate their livelihood as they are the important partners to achieve the agricultural goals in his
administration.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog stressed the importance of conducting the Ubi Festival every
year in Bohol to showcase the different varieties of Ubi especially the Ubi Kinampay such name has been
included in the lyrics of the Bohol Hymn which we have been sung daily.

Quirog said that since before during our early ancestors, the Ubi Kinampay in Bohol has been famous
because of its natural aroma which has not found of the same variety from other provinces.
She thanked the participating exhibitors as she asked for their continued support to the plans and
programs of the provincial government.  (Atoy Cosap)

The celebration of Farmers Big Day in Bohol as part of the Rice Festival Month in line with the National Rice
Awareness Month (NRAM) was truly a big day for the Boholano farmers and fisherfolks who have been continued
helping the Provincial Government of Bohol ( PGBh) in shaping up the agricultural landscape in the province.

This developed as the 47 winners of the Suhid sa Malampusong Bol-anon Vegetable Corridors: Bol-anong
Busog ug Himsog Program and the seven people’s organizations received the awards yesterday.         

   
Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, Chair Senate Committee on Agriculture and Agrarian Reforms and Gov.
Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado led the awarding of cash and turning over the HDPE fish cages, fish feeds and
seaweeds inputs during the NRAM Rice Festivals Farmers Big Day yesterday held at the Municipal Gym, Pob
lacion, Garcia Hernandez.  The 47 winners of Suhid Vegetable Corridors we’re came from the towns of Garcia
Hernandez, Valencia, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, and Sierra-Bullones.       

Sen. Pangilinan in his keynote speech said that he came here during the celebration of Farmers Big Day to unite
the Boholano farmers who are contributors to the food supplies in the country to feed the Filipinos.

Pangilinan emphasized that the government has been working to give more programs intended for agri-fishery
sector to ensure food security, a sector which is vulnerable on the effects of climate.

In his message of support, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado affirmed the strong support for the
agri-fishery sector during the “Farmers’ Big Day”

Gov. Aumentado emphasized that the “Farmers’ Big Day” celebration is a significant opportunity to honor the
farmers, whom he described as the province’s “frontliners” in ensuring food security and sufficiency.

“We are doing this as a gesture of gratitude for your service. The provincial government is serious in its efforts
to strengthen the agriculture sector,” the governor said. He assured that under his administration, the province will
continue to provide full and unwavering support to the thousands of farmers across Bohol.

Aumentado also urged Boholanos to support local producers by purchasing locally grown rice and avoiding the
wastage of rice and other agricultural products. He stressed that responsible consumption is essential in sustaining
the province’s food supply.

During the event, Governor Aumentado expressed his gratitude to Senator Francis Pangilinan for extending
support to the activities and initiatives of the “Farmers’ Big Day,” which aim to uplift and empower the agricultural
sector in the province.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog, in her statement of purpose, underscored the significance of the National
Rice Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of valuing rice as a vital agricultural resource. She emphasized
that purchasing locally produced rice is essential in supporting the livelihood of local farmers and strengthening the
province’s agricultural economy. She even urged the Boholanos to eat brown rice which is nutritious and good to
our body. Quirog congratulated the winners of the Suhid sa Malampusong Bol-anon: Vegetable Corridors.
Quirog also expressed her gratitude for the time and support extended by Senator Francis Pangilinan during the
event. She affirmed the efforts of the Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Aris Aumentado,
particularly its initiatives aimed at boosting the agri-fishery sector and improving the productivity of farmers and
fisherfolk.

Furthermore, she thanked the various local government units for their continued cooperation and assistance to
the Provincial Government in advancing agricultural development across Bohol.

The NRAM was promulgated oursuant to Proclamation No. 524, s. 2004, declaring every November as National
Rice Awareness Month aligning the commitment to elevate appreciation for rice farming, foster sustainable
agricultural practices, cultural celebration and fortity community bonds. By Atoy Cosap with reports from Venuz
Ladaga

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and other
departments of the provincial government has expanded its palay procurement operations to more municipalities as
the harvest season progresses so as to produce sufficient supply of “Bugas Bol-anon” with cheapest price at P36 per
kilogram.

This program is in line with the continued implementation of the Provincial Rice Program: Palay Buy-Back
Project of which under the leadership of Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado and Vice-Governor Nick Besas
was started last year that aims to provide Boholano farmers with fair and competitive buying prices at P23/kilograms
(14% moisture contents) protecting them from volatile and often low market rates during peak harvests;

Safeguard farmer livelihoods by promoting equitable trading practices and reducing dependence on middlemen;
build Bohol’s strategic rice reserves which are later used to support relief efforts and local food distribution.
The initial procurement of the program began in the 2024 harvest season in major rice producing municipalities
namely: Ubay, Talibon, Bien Unido, San Miguel, Carmen, Batuan, Pilar, Alicia, Candijay, Buenavista, Dagohoy,
Danao, Sierra – Bullones, Trinidad and preparing to expand procurement operations to other known rice
municipalities in the second and third districts in the province who are members of the irrigator’s associations.

PALAY SALES FROM FARMERS
The Irrigator Association (IA) member farmer-cooperator shall be required to sell at least 10% of their total
palay production per hectare exclusively to the PGBh through the project. The assigned Provincial Rice Technician
must ensure that the palay intended for sale meets the following quality standards: freshly harvested, properly dried,
and free from impurities, moisture content of 14%, verified and confirmed at least one day before the scheduled
hauling.

Along with this, the technician shall also coordinate closely with the farmers to ensure compliance with these
requirements, facilitating a smooth and efficient procurement process.

BUY-BACK SCHEME ON THIS PROGRAM
The PGBh through the OPA and the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) shall facilitate the procurement
of palay produced by the program beneficiaries.

The buy-back funds shall be sourced from the PGBh, in accordance with the approved Project Proposal, ensuring
proper allocation and utilization of resources for the successful implementation of the program.

Aside from facilitating the palay procurement, the OPA is also responsible for drying, milling, packaging; while
the Provincial Economic and Enterprise Management Office (PEEMO) is in-charge for developing and presenting a
comprehensive marketing and sales plan; proposing product pricing and product naming; remitting collections to
Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) and presenting relevant reports to Technical Working Group (TWG) every
meeting;

Providing personnel for labor work; overseeing the sale of products at the Capitol, arranging deliveries to clients,
and request the PGSO to inspect the products and by-products upon arrival at the Capitol premises; and identifying
target markets for milled rice and its by-products.

Other departments of the PGBh who are involved in this collective program are: Provincial Budget and
Management Office (PBMO), PTO, Provincial Motorpool Office (PMPO), and Provincial Cooperative Development
Office (PCDO).

Based on the Executive Order No. 29 signed by Gov. Aumentado last October 20, 2025 it stated that in
accordance with the foregoing provision of RA 11203, the PGBh has embarked on a Provincial Palay Buy-Back
through clustering of irrigators/farmers associations in the municipal level being affected by the passage of the said
law.

According to the EO No. 29, the depressed buying price of rice can be attributed to the repercussions of the 2018
Rice Tariffication Act. This legislation opened the floodgates to unlimited rice imports, leading to a significant drop
in the market prices. To avoid financial losses, our farmers have been completed to align or even lower their pricing
to stay competitive.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog is urging the Boholanos to patronize and promote the Bugas Bol-anon
guaranteeing that consumers can buy clean, safe and locally produced rice grown by Boholano farmers as the local
officials have welcomed the continuation of the program. By Atoy Cosap with reports from Lorebien N. Lagapa,
OPA staff

It might be that there is no enough reason on why the Boholano farmers do not have interest to plant Ubi crop in
the agricultural province of Bohol.

This as the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA)
has allocated the amount of P2.8M for Ubi buy-back dispersal program specifically for Kinampay and Baligonhon
varieties before the year ends.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog during the coordination meeting with Municipal
Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs) and representatives from agri-line and partner agencies
last Wednesday held at the Reynas the Haven and Garden, New Calceta St., Cogon, Tagbilaran City, urged the Ubi
growers through the MAs/MAOs to plant more areas for Ubi to address the volume of demands domestically and
internationally.

The provincial agriculturist bared that based on records of OPA, it showed that out of 484.5 hectares (has.) of
potential areas for Ubi in the province only 82.79 has. are planted.

In the Ubi buy-back dispersal, the PGBh will buy good quality Ubi Kinampay and Baligonhon tubers in Ubay,
Carmen and Pilar and which will be given to the Ubi growers. The number of kilos to be given is the same number
of kilos will be returned back to the PBGBh and will be dispersed to other towns.

She said that there is a protocol strictly being followed in this program that there is no replanting of Ubi in the
same location because the fungi are carried within the Ubi tubers itself and when planted on the same area the fungi
will thrive and spread rapidly.

Quirog underscored the conduct of Ubi Festival in Bohol which will be celebrated on every first week of
December in every year to sustain the Ubi industry in the province.
She asked higher government officials to put up more resources for Ubi industry so as more interventions to be
given to the Boholano Ubi growers.

In the conduct of Ubi Festival 2025 which is slated on December 3-5, 2025, the provincial agriculturist is
hopeful that there are more LGUs to participate compared to last year activity which had 16 LGUs.
The Ubi known towns in Bohol are the following: Pilar and Carmen which have the potential areas of 45 has.
each; Dagohoy, Ubay, and Guindulman (35 has. each), San Miguel (30 has.); Garcia Hernandez and Danao (28 has.
each); Talibon and Calape (25 has. each);

Alicia, and Valencia (20 has. each); Catigbian (15 has.); Baclayon and Batuan (12 has. each); Sevilla, Mabini and
Balilihan (10 has. each); Cortes, Sikatuna, Getafe, and Jagna (5 has. each); Maribojoc (3.5 has.);
Antequera, Panglao, and Bien Unido (3 has. each); Corella (2 has.) while the town of Dauis has only a hectare Ubi
areas. 

Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will lead the Boholanos in the three-day activities of Ubi Festival 2025
which will be held at the Plaza Rizal, in front of the St. Joseph Cathedral, this city which will be highlighted with
different contests to include street dancing and Ubi Festival Queen. By Atoy Cosap

There are 20 Ubi known municipalities in the province of Bohol will participate in the coming Ubi Festival 2025
slated on December 3-5, 2025 to be held at the Plaza Rizal, Tagbilaran City.

The 20 Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs) exhibitors are: Getafe, Carmen, Panglao, Dimiao,
Alburquerque, Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Sikatuna, Pilar, Talibon, Baclayon, Loboc, Valencia, Cortes, Corella, Ubay,
Tagbilaran City, Alicia, and San Isidro.

The participants this year’s fest is increasing compared to last year which had 16 MLGUs.

The three-day festival carrying the theme “Ubi’ng Bol-anon: Tinubdan sa Pagkaon , Garbo sa Kulturang Bol-
anon” is highlighted with different contests with prizes at stake: Motorcade, Best Booth and Product Display,
Pinaka, Highest Volume, Rondalla, Video, Highest Sales, Ubi Queen, and Street Dancing.

The program will kick-off on Wednesday with a Float Parade Contest at 8:30 in the morning to start at the New
Capitol Ground down to CPG Avenue all the way to Plaza Rizal. This will be followed by a Ubi Street Dancing
Contest at the Plaza Rizal and afterward will be the Opening program.

In the opening program, Provincial Agriculturist Liza M.Quirog will give the rationale and acknowledgement of
guests and participants as Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will deliver his inspirational after City Mayor
Jane Censoria C. Yap could give the welcome message; while Vice Governor Nick Besas, Rep. John Geesnell Baba
Yap (1 st  Dist.), Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado (2 nd  Dist.), and Rep. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor (3 rd  Dist.) will do the
messages of support.

All contests will be conducted on the second day of the affair as the Ubi Stakeholder’s Night will be done in the
evening to foster camaraderie among the   stakeholders of the Ubi industry in Bohol. The awarding of winners of the
different contests to be led by Gov. Aumentado will happen in the following day during the culmination program. 

   
It may be recalled that Ubi Festival was originally started in the province on the year 2000 in the town of Dauis
under the administration of Former Governor Rene L. Relampagos and then Provincial Agriculturist Aurelio Cahiles
in strong coordination with the Bohol Ubi Center Foundation, Inc. (BUCFI) organized by Engr. Rene Somodobila,
Jane Darunday – Maturgo, and Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio from Agricutural Training Institute (ATI).

The first Ubi Ferstival was held in Dauis as one of the eight towns in Bohol who were the first participants of the
festival to include Alburquerque, Baclayon, Corella, Cortes, Panglao, Sikatuna, and Tagbilaran City, the so called
“ALBACOCODAPASITA” who have been producing the best Ubi Kinampay variety because of its unique aromatic
smell and taste. By Atoy Cosap