NEWS

The winners of the 23 out of the 30 categories of the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uuma ug Mananagat nga Bol-anon 2025 are slated to be recognized and awarded during the scheduled awarding ceremony on July 17, 2025 at the Plaza Rizal this city, which falls on the fourth day of the five-day celebration of the Sandugo Agri-Fair which will start on July 14 to July 18, 2025.

            The 24 categories whose winners to be recognized and awarded are the following: Outstanding Farmer on Hybrid Rice Based-Farming System, Outstanding Farmer on Inbred Rice Based-Farming System, Outstanding Hybrid Corn Farmer, Outstanding OPV Corn Farmer, Outstanding Integrated High Value Crops Farmer, Outstanding Cacao Farmer, Outstanding Cassava Farmer, Outstanding Banana Grower, Outstanding Ubi Grower, Outstanding Tilapia Culture (Commercial Pond), Outstanding Tilapia Culture (Backyard Pond), Outstanding Bangus Culture (Cage), Outstanding Fishermen’s Association, Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist, Outstanding Farmers Association (Program Based) Department of Agriculture (DA) and PGBh-OPA support project, Outstanding Rural Woman, Outstanding Young Farmer (4H-Club), Outstanding Youth in Integrated Farming, Outstanding Young Farmer in Rural Community Service, Outstanding Rice Technician, Outstanding Corn Technician, Outstanding Fishery Technician and Outstanding HVCDP Technician.

            While, the seven categories whose winners will be awarded on October 16, 2025 during the World Food Day Celebration of the province namely: 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 all for organic agriculture endeavors in Bohol.

            Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog stressed that this will be the first time that the awarding of the SUHID winners who have excelled in their field of agriculture be done during the Sandugo Agri-Fair and World Food Day celebrations emphasizing their importance in the community that should be given proper and appropriate recognition for their exemplary performance and significant contributions to the advancement and promotion of agriculture in the province and in the country in general.

            The names of the winners have not yet been released as the evaluators are finalizing on who are to be landed in the first, second and third placers in all of the 30 categories of the search.

            Quirog disclosed that this is also the first time there are three winners in each category, to acknowledge their efforts in participating the SUHID as nominees from their respective localities strongly endorsed by their Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs). By Atoy Cosap

Two Boholanos who have shown their passion and dedication in the field of agriculture have been selected as National Grand Winners of the 50^th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda.

            Pablita Cabarles of Manga National High School (Integrated-Diversified Organic Farming System Learning Site) adjudged as Outstanding Urban ana Peri-Urban Agriculture Garden (Micro-Garden), and Jomer M. Balag of Jolit’s Eco Garden and Integrated Farm in Cambacay, Batuan as Outstanding High-Value Crops Farmer-Vegetables Grand Winners.

            Engr. Roger V. Navarro, Chairperson, Gawad Saka National Executive Committee sent a letter informing Director Angel C. Enriquez, Regional Executive Director Regional Field Office – Department of Agriculture (DA)-7 that the three finalists of the national tilt from region 7 to include the City Agricultural and Fishery Council-Bayawan City in Bayawan, Negros Oriental emerged as National Grand Winners of the prestigious search.

            Engr. Navarro requested the winners to attend the 50^th Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremony, to be conferred by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in Munoz, Nueva Ecija on Friday in recognition of their exemplary performance and significant contributions to the advancement and promotion of the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector. However, the confirmation of the exact time and other details of the activity is being awaited from the Office of the President.

            They are required to accomplish the following: submit the photographs of the national grand winners in accordance with the prescribed specifications; confirm the name of one official companion and assisting technician (if applicable) for each national grand winner of which only one companion will be strictly allowed per awardee; and provide the required bank details of each national grand winners and their respective assisting technicians (if applicable) for the release of cash prizes.

             Cabarles and Balag together with the La Suerte Vegetable Growers Association (LASUVEGA), in La Suerte, Pilar were the nominees in DA-7 from Bohol to National Gawad Saka Search. But after the Gawad Saka National Technical Committee (NTC) of the search had completed the table evaluations only Cabarles and Balag had been shortlisted as finalists for the province.

            Thereafter, the NTC conducted the field validation last April 7-9, 2025 to interview the finalists and concerned officials of the Local Government Units (LGU). And after the thorough validations by the NTC Cabarles and Balag both landed top three and received their awards during the awarding ceremony held at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City last May 19, 2025.

            They also received the awards during the Grand Parangal Regional Outstanding Agricultural Achievers Awarding Ceremony held at the Golden Prince Hotel in Cebu City last May 29, 2025.

            Cabarles and Balag are now preparing to accomplish the needed requirements as they are waiting further details regarding the date and time of the awarding ceremony. By Atoy Cosap

Aiming to help the local rice seed growers and local farmers in the province of Bohol, the rice seeds intervention of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will shift starting this year from hybrid to inbred seeds, along with the provision of organic and inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

Maricel C. Barloso, Provincial Rice Program Focal Person, OPA said that in the process the PGBh will procure the inbred seeds and to be given to Boholano seed growers to be planted on the first cropping of wet season in May and June 2025.

Once it will be harvested, the PGBh will buy back the yields from the seed growers and give it to the local farmers to be planted in the second cropping in October and November.

The province of Bohol has a total physical rice area of 58, 222 hectares, of which 30,416 hectares are rainfed and 27, 806 hectares are irrigated, mostly located in San Miguel, Pilar, Ubay, Talibon and Sierra-Bullones.

Of the 30,416 hectares of rainfed rice areas, only 23,777 hectares will receive inbred seeds from PhilRice through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program, leaving a gap of 6,639 hectares. Meanwhile, of the 27,806 hectares of irrigated areas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has provided hybrid seeds for 16,000 hectares, resulting in a gap of 11,806 hectares.

The gaps of 6, 639 hectares for inbred and 11, 806 hectares for hybrid or a total of 18, 445 hectares will be targeted to be filled up by the provincial government with inbred rice seeds.

Barloso said that the PGBh found advantages for inbred rice seeds to fill up the gaps because; its yield can still be used for planting in the next cropping season not the same with the hybrid rice seeds of which its yields are cannot be planted again, helping the local rice seed growers in securing their markets through rice seeds and palay buy- back programs of the PGBh, in such a way the money for buy-back would only circulate in the province of Bohol.

The price of hybrid rice seeds compared to inbred has a big disparity as the hybrid costs P400 per kilogram, while the inbred is P45 only. However, in terms of yield the hybrid seeds would come up with a high yield compared to inbred. Barloso disclosed that to date, the employees assigned to the rice section of the Crops Division, OPA are now doing monitoring the reported pests and diseases on the reproductive stage of planted rice in some isolated areas in second and third districts in Bohol and monitoring the buying prices of palay and retooling of rice production. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) strongly encourages the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Civic Organizations, Schools, Churches, Hotels, Resorts, and Companies to conduct Tree Growing activities in their respective localities for their Civic Projects and/or Corporate Social Responsibility Projects.

This, as the employees of OPA have already been conducting Tree Growing activities in different parts of Bohol. Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that the OPA through its established plant nurseries in Del Carmen Sur, Balilihan; Macaas, Tubigon; and Gabi, Ubay has been producing seedlings of Fruit-Bearing Trees and Bamboos to be used in these activities. Quirog stressed that the available seedlings, such as: Mango, Chestnut, Avocado, Coffee, Pomelo, Santol, Guava, Atis, Tambis, Jackfruit, Cacao, Lemon, Guyabano, Rambutan, Lomboy, Marang, Mulberry, Lemonsito, Lime, Magicfruit, Mangosteen, Lanzones, Durian, Tamarind, Chicos, and Tambis, can be given for the purpose of dispersal through first come-first served basis under Provincial Ordinance  No. 2020-004.

The purposes of the Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-004 shall be to: converge the efforts of all citizens in the revitalization of the environment by increasing the number of trees in the province; mitigate the effects of climate change by increasing the carbon sink; enhance biological diversity and increase forest cover by planting native timber and non-timber, fruit-bearing trees and mangrove species; promote environmental protection and disaster risk reduction by stabilizing the riverbanks, landslide and flood-prone areas; ensure food sufficiency and security by planting fruit-bearing trees; increase supply of lumber, wood and non-wood-based products; and enhance livelihood opportunities by increasing the supply of raw materials for cottage industries. 

The Provincial Agriculturist clarified that this developed as the PGBh abides Section 2 of RA 10176 which provides that “it shall be the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;” which recognizes the vital role and importance of trees in ecological stability.

The Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-004 states that same law (RA 10176) further provides that there is a need for a collaborated effort between the State and its citizenry to combat the loss of our natural resources and rejuvenate our environment by undertaking nationwide tree planting activities and providing effective measures for their maintenance and sustainability. By Atoy Cosap

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog who heads the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist which is one of the departments of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) who have the large number of regular and job order workers lauded the importance of conducting a team building among its employees.

This came as Quirog during the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Team Building last Monday evening held at the Ceremonial Hall, 4th Floor, New Capitol Building, New Capitol Site, Cogon, Tagbilaran City emphasized that the occasion is an activity wherein the employees would become happy forgetting anything for a while the
target or task assigned to them.

In doing so, they know each other more and better, earn to appreciate each other, and respect each other, so that they will be more productive in their works to serve the fellow Boholanos, because accordingly, a happy person can do a lot of things.

The OPA has 233 employees: 84 are regular, 77 Job Order Workers, and 72 contractual workers who have been working aligned with the strategic change agenda which upholds Bohol as the first and only UNESCO Global Geopark and regenerative island in the country.
Most of the employees of OPA are assigned in the field: plant nurseries in Maca-as, Tubigon; Del Carmen Sur, Balilihan; Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) in Gabi, Ubay; Multi species Fresh Water Fish Hatchery in Bohol Island State Universities (BISU), Bilar; Bangus Hatchery in (BISU) Clarin; and Rice Processing Center (RPC) in Pilar.

Aside from manning the office, other employees are in the field as technicians giving technical assistance and assisting Local Government Units (LGUs) in their rice, corn, banana, and other commodity productions. As responsible in securing food sufficiency to feed the 1.4M Boholanos and 1.3M tourists annually, the Provincial Agriculturist said that the OPA must coordinate closely to the farmers, fisherfolks and livestock raisers in Bohol. By Atoy Cosap

There are 15 Municipal LocaL Government Units (MLGUs) confirmed to participate the Ubi Festival 2024
slated on December 18, 19, qnd 20, 2024 at the Plaza Rizal, Tagbilaran City.

It was known during the Ubi Festival 2024 final meeting held at the Arabelle Suite, New Calceta St., Cogon, this
city that the 16 MLGUs are the following: Loon, Getafe, Maribojoc, Sevilla, Carmen, Ubay, San Isidro, Tagbilaran
City, Valencia, Baclayon, Panglao, Sikatuna, Loboc, Cortes and Corella.

The 3-day Ubi Fest which carries the theme “Tatak Ubi’ng Bol-anon, Palambuon”, will be highlighted with the
Ubi Festival Queen’24 with big prizes at stake: 1 st prize (P15, 000), 2 nd prize (P10, 000), 3 rd prize (P8, 000), and the
non-winning candidates would receive P5, 000 each as consolation prizes, Best in Production Number (P2, 000),
and Best in Ubi Costume (P3, 000).

There are only six MLGUs confirmed to have their candidates for the Search for Ubi Festival Queen 2024.
Other contests and its corresponding prizes to make the festival more festive are the following: Ubi Float with
Miss Ubi candidate (1 st prize-P15, 000, 2 nd prize- P10, 000, 3 rd prize-P8, 000 and consolation prize at P5, 000 each);
Most Participative LGU (1 st – P10, 000, 2 nd – P8, 000, 3 rd – P6, 000 and consolation prize at P2, 000 each), Best
Booth/Product Display (1 st – P15, 000, 2 nd – P10, 000, 3 rd – P8, 000 and consolation prize at P5, 000 each.

Pinaka on Different Ubi Varieties (Kinampay – 1 st – P6, 000, 2 nd – P4, 000, 3 rd – P3, 000 and a consolation prize
at P1, 000 each), Baligonhon – 1 st – P4, 000, 2 nd – 3, 000, 3 rd – P2, 000 and consolation prize at P1, 000), Kabus-ok
(1sr – P4, 000, 2 nd – P3, 000, 3 rd – P2, 000). Tam-isan (1 ST – P2, 000, 2 nd – P1, 500, 3 rd – P1, 000 and consolation at
P500, Iniling (1 st – P2, 000, 2 nd – p1, 500, 3 rd – P1, 000 and consolation at P500.

Highest Ubi Volume/Sales (1 st – P5, 000, 2 nd prize – P3, 000, 3 rd – P2, 000 and consolation at P1, 000 each), Best
Farmers Rondalla (1 st – P10, 000, 2nd – P8, 000, 3 rd – P6, 000, and consolation at P3, 000 , and consolation at P3,
000 each, Best New Ubi Kakanin Products (1 st – P8, 000, 2 nd – P6, 000, 3 rd – P4, 000, and consolation at P1, 000
each).

Ubi Festival 2024 Promotional Video (1 st – P8, 000, 2 nd – P6, 000, 3 rd – P4, 000, and consolation at P1, 000 each,
Best in Reenactment/Street Dancing Contest (1 st – P18, 000, 2 nd – P15, 000, 3 rd – P12, 000, and consolation at P5,
000 each.

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado and Vice-Governor Tita Baja would lead the Provincial Govwernment
of Bohol (PGBh) to award and recognize the Ubi growers who have been sustaining the Ubi industry in Bohol.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog is hopeful that the Ubi industry in the province will flourish as there are
concerted efforts be done from the PGBh, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Department of Agriculture (ATI),
and Bohol Island State University (BISU-Bilar) and Ubi stakeholders.

Quirog said the provincial government had already a Provincial Ordinance No. 2023-401, “Establishing the Ubi
Development Framework of the Province of Bohol and Appropriating Funds Therefor” which is very important in
the quest to flourish the Ubi industry.

Last Thursday at the Ceremonial Hall, 4 th Floor, New Capitol Building, Cogon, Tagbilaran City. The Office of
the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) facilitated the Ubi Policy Development Forum of which the ATI had presented
the Ubi Roadmap for Extension Services; Bohol Purple Women presented the Experiences/Encounters by BAHRR
Consumers Related to Ubi Supply, Demand, Tuber and Product Tuber Quality;

BISU-Bilar presented the Research Needs of Ubi for Food Security and Industrial Growth as the OPA presented
the Government Support for Ubi supply through Plant Material Dispersal and Ubi Promotions. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) will
award and recognize the winners of the 22 categories of the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon 2024 on
Thursday to be held at the Ceremonial Hall, 3 rd Floor, New Capitol Building, Cogon, Tagbilaran City.

Carrying the theme of the tilt “Ang Katambayayong Sa Agrikultura Nga Dugukan Sa Ekonomiya; Pasidunggan
Ta“, the PGBh will award and recognize the winners of the different categories and their corresponding prizes which
are the following: Danahaw Integrated School (Secondary) from Clarin, Bohol as Outstanding 4H-Club who will
receive P15, 000 plus Garden Cultivator; Tinago Dauis Farmers Association (Dauis, Bohol) – Outstanding Farmers
Association Program Based (P15, 000 plus Garden Cultivator and Power Tiller); Ubay Fish Vendors Association
(Ubay) – Outstanding Fishermen’s Association ( P15, 000 plus 16 HP Marine Engine Mega, Chest Type Freezer);

Ubay Native Chicken Raisers Association (Ubay) – Outstanding Organic Practitioner (P15, 000 plus Garden
Cultivator, Hand Tractor); Jomer M. Balag (Batuan) – Outstanding Organic Agriculture Individual Practitioner (P10,
000 plus Garden Cultivator); Rufo B. Nuez (Ubay) – Outstanding Farmer on Integrated Rice Based-Farming (P5,
000 plus Power Tiller, Hand Tractor with Trailer); Carmelita I. Cadorniga (Ubay) – Outstanding Hybrid Corn
Farmer (P5, 000 plus Corn Sheller);

Teresita J. Gamale (Valencia) – Outstanding OPV Corn Farmer (P5, 000 plus Corn Sheller); Casino Monil
(Bilar) – Outstanding Integrated High Value Crops Farmer (P5, 000 plus Garden Cultivator); Eduardo D. Dag-um
(Carmen) – Outstanding Cacao Grower (P5, 000 plus Mechanical Pruner); Imelda G. Agbon (Carmen) –
Outstanding Cassava Farmer (P5, 000 plus Hand Tractor); Edelbrando I. Namoc (Valencia) – Outstanding Banana
Grower (P5,000 plus Garden Cultivator); Leonisa B. Buna (Ubay) – Outstanding Ubi Grower (P5, 000 plus Garden
Cultivator);

Gerry P. Bernaldez (Pilar) – Outstanding Tilapia Culture Commercial Pond (P5, 000 plus HDPE Liner/Pond
Liner 1.5mm 5.8mx50m); Cresencio Camposo (Carmen) – Outstanding Tilapia Culture Backyard Pond (P5, 000
plus HDPE Liner/Pond Liner 1.5mm 5.8mx50m); Benjamin B. Sarabosing, Jr. (Ubay) – Outstanding Bangus Culture
Cage (P5, 000 plus 16 HP Marine Engine Mega, Chest Type Freezer); Ma. Concepcion M. Bongola (Valencia) –
Oustanding Municipal Agriculturist (P5, 000 plu Garden Cultivator); Efrenia C. Holt (Calape) – Outstanding Rural
Woman (P5, 000 plus Garden Cultivator);

Guillermo M. Lucip (San Miguel) – Outstanding Organic Technician (P5, 000 plus Garden Cultivator); Ma.
Michele F. Lariza (Guindulman) – Outstanding Rice Technician (P5, 000 plus Garden Cultivator); Anecita Q.
Ybanez (Sierra-Bullones) – Outstanding Corn Farmer (P5, 000) plus Garden Cultivator); and Ma. Trisha L.
Rempillo (Ubay) – Outstanding HVCDP Technician (P5, 000 pluus Garden Cultivator).

The Local Government Unit of Ubay, Bohol got the highest numbers of winners who bagged seven out of 22
different categories.

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado together with Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog and Assistant
Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas will lead the giving of awards and recognition to the winners of the
search. By. Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and Ubi
stakeholders need to burn out its midnight candle to flourish the Ubi industry in the agricultural province of Bohol.

This after the presentation of the Ubi Research Outputs presented by Engr. Dennis B. Jomoc, Chairperson,
College Research of the Bohol Island State University (BISU), Bilar Campus last Wednesday during the Research
Needs Assessment Forum for Ubi held at the Jj’s Seafood Village, Tagbilaran City that showed that there is a need to
connect the gaps between the government, stakeholders and Ubi growers to boost the industry.

Jomoc presented their recommendations based on actual encounters and findings of their study to bridge the gaps
which are the following: Production of an Ubi Commodity Road Map for Bohol; Investment to machinery and
equipment for sustainable upland farming and value-adding; investment to seed yam production system such as
tissue culture cum aeroponics for the production of quality planting materials; strategies and approaches for effective
enhancement of productivity and production volume;

Machine and equipment development for Ubi-based and enhanced food products; performance of Ubi under
protected and irrigated environments; Ubi stability map in Bohol for efficient and effective resource allocation and
utilization; DNA sequencing of Bohol Ubi varieties; micro-climate identification and/or characterization of soils in
the Ubi production areas;

Response of Ubi (growth, yield, and tuber properties) on different agroecological zones to organic and inorganic
nutrients supplementations; mass production of quality planting materials using the current production technologies;
and performance evaluation of the conventional method of Ubi production and farmer’s adopted practices.

He disclosed that there are only 430 Ubi growers in the province tilling the 6 hectares (has.) scattered in 16
towns which are only small when we speak about boosting Ubi industry namely: Panglao (33), Dauis (16),
Tagbilaran City (19), Baclayon (71), Cortes (24), Corella (32), Sikatuna (16), Loon (35), and Alburquerque (61) in
the First District; Ubay ((7) and Sagbayan (15) in the Second Dist.; Dimiao (4), Loay (1), Bilar (11), Pilar (12),
Carmen (48) and Jagna (25) with an average Ubi production area per grower is 138 sq. meters.

Jomoc said that generally, there is a decreasing trend of production area from 2010 to 2022 in Bohol and the
aging average age of Ubi growers is 61. He said that with regards to the status of ownership in the production area,
there are about two-thirds of the Ubi production area is personally-owned and 3 out of 10 Ubi growers have tenanted
lot for production.

Felix Tubiano, Center Chief, Department of Agriculture – Bohol Experiment Station (DA-BES) admitted that
Bohol could not produce mass production of Ubi because of the limited production areas and only one planting
season a year.

Tubiano said the BES had conducted research on Ubi especially the Kinampay variety on its characteristics,
aromatic taste compared to other provinces of the same variety using the tissue cultured derived-Ubi plantlets.

Dr. Clarissa B. Jamilo, Senior Research Specialist, DA-BES said that it was found out that based on their study
that early planting of tissue cultured derived planting materials resulted to higher number and weight of tuber
produced in Baligonhon and Kinampay varieties; average number of tubers produced as classified according to
weight ranges from 10 grams to more than 150 grams; mostly tuber production in the three varieties planted monthly
reached the 50 grams weight which could be used as planting materials in the field.

They also found out that tissue-cultured plantlet is a good alternative to Ubi setts as planting material in the
production of quality Ubi seeds and tubers; given the right cultural management practices, tissue cultured derived
Ubi plantlets produced marketable and bigger tubers.

Executive Assistant to the Governor for Agriculture Nunila M. Pinat for and in behalf of Governor Erico
Aristotle C. Aumentado in her message informed the participants of the forum that under the administration of Gov.
Aumentado, the provincial government had crafted the Ubi Development Framework.

She lauded the research study made by BISU and BES and she hoped that the Ubi production in Bohol would
expand. Pinat questioned why Boholano Ubi growers have been using Ubi planting materials from other provinces
with the fact that we have our owned production here.

According to Pinat, this is a great challenge for us to expand the Ubi industry in Bohol.
Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog earlier said that the forum serves as an initiative of the Bohol Ubi Board
in our shared mission to further elevate the Ubi industry – a cornerstone of Bohol’s agricultural identity and a key
contributor to our local economy.

The activity aims to identify research gaps and opportunities, specific research needs and research priorities for
Ubi and foster cross – disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration, she said.

Quirog stressed that the forum would also provide a platform to present recent research findings and
advancements, aligning with global trends and technological innovations. This exchange of knowledge would enable
stakeholders to collectively shape a dynamic research agenda tailored to the needs and aspirations of Bohol’s Ubi
industry.

She added that these partnerships are crucial to unlocking innovative approaches that address the challenges
faced by Ubi growers and processors, while also exploring opportunities for diversification, value addition, and
sustainability. By Atoy Cosap