NEWS

The farm machineries and equipment owned by the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) stationed at Bohol Organic Agriculture and Technology (BOATech) in Gabi, Ubay, Bohol are ready to be rented at the low rate.

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has been
offering its farm machineries/equipment for rentals at the lower rate compared to other private entities who are also
offering the same kind of services.

According to Jazel Ann Diez from the Agricultural Engineering Division, OPA, the PGBh has the ready to rent
machineries/equipment stationed in Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center, Gabi, Ubay Bohol to
wit: 6 units of Tractor with Disc Plow (95 HP with 4 blades, 120 HP with 5 blades), 2 units of Tractor with
Rotavator (45 HP for rice field areas – lowland), 6 units of Tractor with Harrow (95 HP with 16 blades, 120 HP with
24 blades),

Transplanter Riding Type (with 6 rows transplanter picker) – 3 units, Transplanter Walking Type (with 4 rows
transplanter picker) – 3 units, and Combine Harvester (corn and rice) – 3 units.

Diez explained that the PGBh has its owned operators to operate of the equipment and the farmer clients will
provide the crude oil.

She bared that the rentals are as follows: Tractor with Rotavator (P600/hour) – crude oil (10 liters/hr.); Tractor
with Harrow (P750/hr.) – crude oil (15 ltrs./hr.); Tractor with Plow (P600/hr.) – crude oil (15 ltrs./hr.);
Rice Transplanter Walking and Riding Type (P2, 500/hectare) – 8 ltrs. gasoline (walking) and 15 ltrs. diesel
(riding); Combine Rice Harvester (P4, 500/ha.) – 30 ltrs. diesel; Combine Corn Harvester (P4, 500/ha.) – 30 liters of
diesel.

In availing the services, just call the Agricultural Engineering Division, OPA at (038) 411-0138 and 0927464
1042 for scheduling. And then, fill-up the request form which is available at the Municipal Agriculture Office
(MAO) in every municipality. The team from the Agricultural Engineering Division will conduct a validation or
survey to check if the area is ready.

If the area could pass the survey, that would be the time that the service is to be rendered and thereafter the
rentals shall be collected and the receipt shall be kept by the farmer clients.

Diez said the payments of rentals shall be collected by the collectors from the OPA and immediately be remitted
to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO).

She urged the Boholano farmer clients who are interested to avail the services offered by the provincial
government as one of the initiatives to help farmers to ease the high farming production costs. By Atoy Cosap

The Province of Bohol will host the Department of Agriculture’s Information Caravan, “Masaganang
Agrikultura, Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas” on the last quarter of this year.

The one-day activity will be conducted in the gymnasium of Carmen, Bohol on November 7, 2024 such activity
is in alignment with the President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. administration’s national development goals
under Bagong Pilipinas.

In his memorandum to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Directors, Regional Program
Coordinators, Regional Information Officers, Agriculture and Fisheries Information Directors (AFIDs) and Regional
Agriculture and Fisheries Information Sections (RAFIS), Engr. Roger V. Navarro, DA, Undersecretary for
Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization said the event is designed to strengthen the agricultural sector’s vital
role in advancing the nation’s progress.

Undersecretary Navarro said the caravan will feature comprehensive discussions on the Department’s current
agricultural and fisheries programs to equip participants with the knowledge and guidance necessary to enhance
their productivity and sustainability in the agriculture sector.

Navarro said that through these discussions, the stakeholders gain valuable insights on the best practices,
innovative technologies, and support mechanisms that will help them achieve greater efficiency and long-term
success in their agricultural endeavors.

He added that the participants will also have the opportunity to engage in the open forum following each
presentation, allowing them to ask questions and clarify their concerns about the topics discussed. The in-charge for
the banner programs, bureaus, and attached agencies/corporations under the DA will set up booths within the venue
to distribute Information Education Communication (IEC) materials and promotional  items. Additionally, coaching
and one-on-one mentoring sessions will be offered to further assist participants.

Navarro emphasized that the traveling and other incidental expenses incurred by the DA-Agriculture and
Fisheries Information Division (AFID) and DA-Regional Field Office, invited farmers/ fisherfolks, and guests
during the activity shall be chargeable against their respective program funds, subject to the usual accounting and
auditing rules and regulations.

The Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization bared that the Information Caravan will
take place in Luzon, Visayas , and Mindanao with the following schedules: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (Region
IV-B) on October 3, 2024; Pili, Camarines Sur (Region V) on October 10, 2024; Santiago City, Isabela (Region II)
on October 24, 2024; Carmen, Bohol (Region VII) on November 7, 2024; Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (Region
VI) on November 14, 2024; Koronadal City South Cotabato (Region XII); and in Surigao City (Region XIII) on
November 28, 2024.

During the preparatory meeting last Monday at the Bohol Agricultural and Promotion Center (B-APC), Dao,
Tagbilaran City attended by Oda Rodriguez and Gemma Garcia from Information Relations Division, DA-Central
Office; Rochelle G. Flores, Richard B. Bernante and Judith G. Gabanito from Metro Ad Service Provider, Assistant
Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas; Roman Dabalos, Agricultural Promotion Coordinating Officer, DA-7;
and Municipal Agriculturist of Carmen Arlene Cabusao, it was known that there are 600 participants will join the
caravan of which 500 of them are the farmers/fisherfolks, and the 100 are the DA and LGU officials.

The 500 participants are come from the eight major rice producing towns namely: Carmen (host town), Pilar,
Sierra-Bullones, Batuan, Bilar, Dagohoy, Sagbayan, and San Miguel. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Organic
Agriculture (OA) Stakeholders have been always working to promote OA in the Province of Bohol for healthy
environment and sustainable agriculture.

As evidence, the 3 rd year of conducting the OA Agriculture Festival which carries theme “ Panginabuhiang
Organiko, Kaugmaong OK Kaayo” is scheduled this month and next months in the agricultural province of Bohol.

Provincial Organic Focal Person Maricel C. Barloso bared that the OA Fest this year will be conducted on
September 24-25, 2024 in San Miguel for the second district, October 24-25, 2024 in Bohol Island State University
(BISU) for the third district, and on November in Tagbilaran City for the first district of which the dates will still be
agreed.

Barloso said that on the September 24-25, 2024 festival in San Miguel Gymnasium, Governor Erico Aristotle C.
Aumentado will deliver his inspirational message as his wife 2 nd District Congresswoman Vanessa C. Aumentado
will lead to give the messages of support together with San Miguel Mayor Ian Gil G. Mendez, San Miguel Vice
Mayor Faustino D. Bulaga, and Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog; while Professor Jose T. Travero,
Chairperson-Organic Agriculture Technical Working Group (TWG) will give the statement of purpose as Municipal
Agriculturist Felix M. Lucip will give his welcome message.

The opening activity in the morning would be very meaningful and colorful as the Kadiwa Ng Pangulo (KNP)
will be launched and the ribbon cutting will be done at 9:30 in the morning after the Thanksgiving Mass and parade
in which the Provincial DILG Director Jerome G. Gonzales will give the statement of purpose for KNP.
On the same day after lunch, there are Organic Agriculture Information Dissemination will be conducted after
Nemesio B. Calacat, KBOOM President could give his message.

Mae Montecillo, Regional Organic Focal Person and Barloso will present the Plans, Activities and Programs of
OA; Andrew M. Macaambac, ATI RTC-7 Organic Focal will give the updates on Youth Intership Program on OA
and other ATI OA related activities; Sheryl Lane Mar, Intern- Youth Internship Program on OA; and Rona M.
Denque, Manager-Green Thumb Farm will discuss the OA sa Negosyo: OA Towards Enterprise.

There are contests with prizes at stake to be conducted on the second day to wit: Creative Art Contest, Best
Organic Food Products, and Highest Sales Contest. The awarding of winners, synthesis of the two days activity, and
the giving of certificates will be done in the afternoon of the second day of the festival.

The first OA Festival was conducted on November 16-18, 2022 at the Bohol Cultural Center which brought the
theme “Healthy Lifestsyle through Organic Farming Methods and Practices Results to a Sustainable Agriculture in
Bohol”; while the 2 nd OA Festival was conducted in two separate areas and dates: November 13-15, 2023 at the
Bohol Showcase Center, Tagbilaran City for the first district; and November 29-30, 2023 in Talibon (2 nd district)
bringing the theme “ Panginabuhiang Organiko, Kaugmaon Segurado”.

In the province of Bohol now, there are five Boholano organic farmers whose commodities and farming practices
are certified by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fishery Standards (BAFS), National as Participatory Guarantee
System (PGS) Certified Farms as Organic.

They are Rona Denque – Sambog, Corella (Mushroom); Efrenia Holt – Cabayugan, Calape (vegetables, fruits
and chocolate); Emmanuel Gamonez – San Roque, Balilihan (rice, vegetables, organic soil ammendments/organic
fertilizers); Marilou Escalona – Bingag, Dauis (vegetables and goats); Jomer Balas – Cambacay, Batuan (vegetables,
fruits and beekeeping.

Barloso could not account on how many Boholano farmers who are engaging organic farming but she confirmed
that the numbers are very small compared to the farmers who are engaging conventional farming. However, the
numbers are increasing.By Atoy Cosap

In an effort to know and define well the agri-fishery development plans in line to the development agenda in the
Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), the coaching and critiquing of the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery
Decvelopment Plans (MAFDP) have conducted to be participated by the Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal
Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs), Municipal Technicians and MAs/MAOs staff in Bohol.

The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) 7 in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (ATI), Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Provincial Local Government Unit
(PLGU) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), has sponsored the six days coaching and critiquing
sessions for the MAFDP in three batches.

The first batch that consists from the participants of the municipalities of Alburquerque, Antequera, Buenavista,
Calape, Corella, Dimiao, Inabanga, Lila, Loon, Tagbilaran City, Ubay and Valencia had conducted their sessions last
Tuesday and Wednesday at the Panda Tea, Dao, Tagbilaran City; while the second batch that composed the
participants from Balilihan, Bien Unido, Catigbian, Getafe, Guindulman, San Isidro, Panglao, San Miguel and
Talibon had conducted their sessions last Thursday and Friday at the Alta Bohol Resort, San Isidro, Baclayon.
While the participants for the third batch coming from the towns of Alicia, Baclayon, Batuan, Bilar, Candijay,
Cortes, Dagohoy, Danao, Duero, Loboc, Sevilla, Sierra-BUllones, Sikatuna, Loay, Tubigon, Mabini, Maribojoc,
Dauis, Anda, Sagbayan, Carlos P. Garcia, Carmen, Jagna, Garcia Hernandez, Trinidad and Pilar will undergo their
two-day sessions on Thursday and Friday at the Panda Tea Gardens.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that this engagement is crucial to ensure the streamlining of
programs and projects from the municipalities or city to the development agenda of the province.

Quirog asked the commitment and cooperation of the participants for the success of the activities.
Ramil D. Rodela, Chief- Planning Division, (OPA) said that the PGBh through the OPA will consolidate the
submitted MAFDPs and submit these to the DA Central Office for their consideration.

The participants have been elated in this endeavour not only for them to be guided but also to the concerned
government agencies to identify their priorities which need to be given drastic action. By Atoy Cosap

COACHING AND CRITIQUING. Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog together with other government agri-
line agencies leads the coaching and critiquing of the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Development Plans (MAFDP)
conducted last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Panda Tea, Dao, Tagbilaran City for the first batch and in Alta Bohol
Resort,San Isidro, Baclayon last Thursday and Friday for the second batch. The third and last batch of the activity will
be conducted on Thursday and Friday at Panda Hotel.

The Provincial Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Implementing Team (PCIT) and the
Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) have been always agreed
that before implementing the programs and projects funded by the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program (CARP) Fund or Agrarian Reform Fund, the beneficiaries must be consulted
first to determine what are their priority needs.

This too as the PCIT and PARCCOM conducted their joint meeting last Tuesday held at the
Reynas the Haven and Gardens, New Calceta St., Cogon, Tagbilaran City.

The projects and programs to be funded by the CARP Fund are the following: Farm to Market
Roads, Irrigations, Farm Machineries, Farm Inputs, Trainings and Processing Centers with
counterpart by the Local Government Units (LGUs).

The PCIT are composed of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Irrigation
Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI),
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Land Bank of the Philippines,
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

While, the PARCCOM is consisted with the sectoral representatives from the Land Owners,
Indigenous People (IP), Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB), Cooperative, and Non-
Government Organization (NGO).

Dr. Ronald Pumatong, PARPO II/PARCCOM Executive Officer, during the joint meeting said
that harmonizing the projects by the CARP Implementing Team ensuring the equal distribution
of government resources to the beneficiaries.

Dr. Pumatong made clear that all the implemented and turned over projects from their office
funded by CARP Fund were the priority needs of the beneficiaries.

The PARPO II thanked the PARCCOM to closely monitor the progress of the CARP projects
as the counterpart level of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) chaired by
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Engr. Panfilo Asares, Acting PARCCOM Presiding Officer, said that the roles of the
Committee are to coordinate, monitor and to know the projects funded by CARP fund and its
implementation.

Asares explained that they should know the projects for them to help endorse for
consideration and funding at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Engr. Higelaine I, Lapac from NIA Bohol presented and submitted their list of proposed
projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 under Comprehensive Agrarian Reform – Irrigation
Component (CARP-IC) Fund in the Province of Bohol with the total amount of P109, 041, 000.

The proposed projects were strongly supported by PARCCOM through a resolution endorsing
these projects to DAR Regional Office and the Office of the DAR Secretary.

Engr. Leonardo V. Cagampang, OIC CARPO LTID-Head, PARCCOM Secretariat and the
representatives from DENR and other implementing team were also presented their projects for
FY 2025.

The PARCCOM will conduct their meeting monthly; while the PCIT twice a year jointly
conducted with the PARCCOM. By Atoy Cosap

JOINT PARCCOM/PCIT MEETING. Dr. Ronald I. Pumatong, PARPO II/PARCCOM Executive Officer cited
the importance of consultation to the beneficiaries in the implementation of the projects funded by Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Fund.

Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado took a big share in his Climate-Smart Agriculture Program during his
closed to two hours State of the Province Address (SOPA) last Friday at the Bohol Cultural Center, this city.

Gov. Aumentado accounted in his second SOPA the agriculture development being implemented in his
administration through the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) and Office of the Provincial Veterinarian
(OPV) in strong collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Aumentado proudly said that Bohol remains African Swine Fever (ASF)-free. He said that despite outbreaks in
many nearby provinces, we are still proudly ASF-free. We had a few close calls but they were quickly arrested and
contained, thus protecting our P6 Billion hog industry and even devoted a portion of the Provincial Government of
Bohol (PGBh) budget to cash assistance for ASF-affected hog raisers.

The governor said we are an awarding province in the Rice Competitiveness Program of the DA. In partnership
with the DA and the Office of the President, the PGBh held several fairs that enabled our Agri-fishery sector to earn
millions of pesos in income. These are the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Kadiwa sa Kapitolyo, Ubi Festival, and most
recently, the Bohol Dairy Festival and Sandugo Agri-Food Fair.

Gov. Aumentado justified the conduct of the Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) as the PGBh has been committed
to help the agri-fishery sector who have been affected the still irregular rainfall condition even that the Philippine
Atmospheric Geo-Physical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) had already declared that we are
now in the normal rainfall condition.

The governor stressed that there are still towns in Northern Bohol in urgent need of water. With many urgent
requests from farmers’ groups and irrigators’ associations, and with scientific basis, our CSOs have been extended
as he thanked the cloud seeding task force for doing an excellent job.

He said that the CSOs are vital initiative which saved our farmers from huge agriculture losses.

He also accounted the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), in partnership with the DA, and funded by
the World Bank, has given Bohol many projects over the years: 8 farm-to-market roads with a total road length of 53
kilometers; 16 enterprise projects; 16 small livelihood projects for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and five Potable
Water Systems, all totaling to more than P2 Billion for Bohol.

This too as he said that he is expecting even more funding for Bohol: the P625M road project spanning 12
kilometers with 4 bridges, the Calape-Antequera Farm to Market Road and more proposed projects coming at a total
estimated cost of P5.4B.

He also lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. who came to Bohol just recently to personally distribute the
P50M in grants to Boholano farmers and fisherfolks in response to the severe impact on the agriculture sector
brought about by El Nino.

The governor delivered his second SOPA last Friday which was supposed to be done during July 22, 2024
(Bohol Day) as he during that time was under preventive suspension. By Atoy Cosap

The Quick Response Infestation Team (QRIT) from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in the
Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has continued to spray using the chemicals to the infested corn areas in the
province who have been attacked by Fall Army Worms (FAW).

Roy Dando, QRIT Team Leader said that the latest planted corn they helped to save were the four hectares (has.)
in Malitbog, Dagohoy.

Using the Benefit, Ariba, Cleo, Match and Chopper chemicals, Dando disclosed that they already sprayed 8.59
has. of corn areas in Trinidad and Danao.

Sprayed last August 6, 2024, were the 1 ha. corn area planted with Traditional Variety in a tasseling stage owned
by Felicisimo Hinlayagan in Hinlayagan Ilaya, Trinidad; .25 ha. (Traditional Variety) in an early whorl stage owned
by Fredo Hinlayagan still in HInlayagan, Trinidad, as the 1.5 has. at the Late Whorl Stage planted with USM 35
variety in Cantubod, Danao owned by Jomar Ayenza were sprayed last August 7, 2024.   

There were also corn areas in Danao sprayed last August 8, 2024 owned by Abundio De Los Reyes (0.6 ha.
planted with traditional variety in an early whorl stage) in Poblacion, Danao; Silvino Ayenza (1.0ha., USM35 variety
in a late whorl stage) in Hibale, Danao; Rey Bantilan (1.0 ha., USM35 variety, tasseling stage) in Poblacion, Danao.

And on August 9, 2024, the team went still in Danao to do the spraying of the infested planted corn owned by
Perfecto Gumapac (1.0 ha., USM35 variety, seedling stage); Demetrio Gumapac (1.0 ha., USM35 variety, early
whorl stage) and another corn farm of Bantilan in the areas of 1.6 has., USM35, late whorl stage in Sta. Fe, Danao.
Dando said that on next week his team will go back to Danao and Trinidad to check if the infested crop has
recovered.

He thanked the Regional Crops Protection Center-Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 and Acting-OPA, Head
Larry M. Pamugas in providing the pesticides or chemicals; some individuals for the sprayers, and the OPA who has
shouldered the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), gasoline and transportation.

Dr. Pamugas and Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog have asked the Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal
Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs) to report immediately if there are reported cases of FAW infestation in their
respective municipalities so as to make any measure to prevent the spread of the dreaded worms, the global invasive
pest.

However, Dando said that so far, there are no additional towns have affected aside from the already reported 325
hectares from the towns of Getafe, Trinidad, Dagohoy, Danao, Sierra-Bullones, Carmen, San Miguel, Dimiao,
Valencia, Mabini and Talibon.

The province of Bohol has a total of 817.81 has. of corn plantations staggered in the municipalities of Alicia,
Anda, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Batuan, Bien Unido, Bilar, Buenavista, Calape, Candijay, Carmen, Catigbian,
Clarin, Corella, Cortes, Dagohoy, Danao, Dauis, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Getafe, Guindulman, Inabanga,
Jagna, Loon, Loboc,, Mabini, Maribojoc, Pilar, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Sagbayan, San Miguel, Sevilla, Sierra-
Bullones, Sikatuna, Panglao, Talibon, Trinidad, Ubay and Valencia. By Atoy Cosap

The Quick Response Infestation Team from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in the Provincial
Government of Bohol (PGBh) immediately took actions to prevent the spread of Fall Army Worms (FAW) attacking
the whirling or vegetative stage of corn plantation in the 11 known corn growing municipalities in Bohol.

According to Leon Parac, Jr., Provincial Corn Coordinator in Bohol, the team led by Joseph Roy Dando sprayed
the FAW using the insecticides from Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC)-7 the worms attacking the corn areas
in Trinidad last Tuesday and 50 hectares (has.) of corn areas in Danao last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Parac said that next week the team will go to the town of Dagohoy whose corn areas also badly damage by a
global invasive pest which can feed on more than 350 plant species including corn, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, and
vegetable crops by feeding on leaves, fruits, and grains causing significant yield loss if not well managed.

Other towns whose corn plantation have been attacked by army worms are: Getafe, Sierra-Bullones, Carmen,
San Miguel, Dimiao, Valencia, Mabini, and Talibon.

The Provincial Corn Coordinator in the province said that there are no reports from the team on additional areas
that have been infested aside from the earlier reported 325 has. last the other week.

Parac explained that in case the RCPC-7 will encounter the shortage of chemical supplies, the team will force to
ask the owner of the corn farm to purchase such chemicals for them to continue the spraying of the dreaded worms
to crops.

He said the corn areas have been attacked by FAW are those corn planted on the last part of May and the month
of June, 2024 with different varieties such as: Open Pollinated Variety (OPA), University of Southern Mindanao
(USM) 35 Variety who are susceptible or unresistant to pests and diseases not like with the Genetically Modified
Organism (GMO) corn who can resist the FAW, corn borer and other pests and corn diseases.

However, Bohol has an existing ordinance strictly prohibiting the entry of GMO corn in the province that
imposes stiff penalty to the violators, Parac concluded.

In Bohol, corn is next to rice as staple crop which has 4.3 kilograms (kgs.) per capita consumption of 1.4M
Boholanos lying at a great distance from rice who has 115 kgs. per capita consumption. By Atoy Cosap

Liza Quirog, Provincial Agriculturist of Bohol, informed the Bohol Chronicle that Mr. Junne P. Abejuela and
his company Pegasus Air Services did not deliver P2.5 million out of the P7.0 million contracted cloud seeding
services despite being awarded contracts in 2023 and 2024.

Per Quirog, the first contract worth P2.5 million pesos was awarded on October 27, 2023, following a bidding
process in July of same year.

This agreement stipulated 42 hours of cloud seeding flights at a rate of P53,000 pesos per hour.
Another contract for P4.5 million pesos was reportedly without bidding on June 4, 2024, providing for 50
hours of cloud seeding at P81,000 pesos per hour.

On November 29, 2023, Mr. Abejuela wrote proposing changes to the agreed-upon terms, including a switch
from a twin-engine aircraft to a single-engine plane, which she said was not written in the contract’s specifications.
“By the end of 2023, Mr. Abejuela had still not provided any cloud seeding services,” Quirog said.

Cloud seeding, a weather modification technique used to induce rainfall, is seen as a key strategy in the
Philippines’ efforts to mitigate the impacts of El Niño.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned
that El Niño conditions could persist until the first quarter of 2024, potentially leading to reduced rainfall and
drought in parts of the country.

The provincial Capitol led by Governor Aris Aumentado had earlier insisted that failure to implement the
cloud seeding project as planned could leave Bohol province, known for its agricultural production, vulnerable to
weather-related challenges.

The procurement process took a long time, after the bidding in July 2023, and the Contract Agreement on
October 27, 2023, the Notice to Proceed was given to Pegasus Air Services on November 24, 2023 as represented by
Mr. Abejuela and was given 5 days to deliver the services for cloud seeding.

“During the BAC [Bids and Awards Committee] meeting, some members required Mr. Abejuela to have a
ready contract to rent an airplane.

The members assumed he had access to an airplane, but Mr. Abejuela’s plane was not guaranteed during the
bid opening,” a member of BAC’s Technical Working Group revealed.

Quirog revealed that she furnished letters to Abejuela on December 6 and December 16, 2023, reminding him
of his contractual obligations and the need to commence cloud seeding operations to address the ongoing El Niño.
However, she said in spite these communications no cloud seeding was conducted.

The Ubi industry in the province of Bohol is operating in micro/small scale level only especially in the
“Kinampay” variety.

This was the statement issued by Engr. Dennis B. Jomoc, Associate Professor 5, Faculty in CANR-DABE,
BISU-Bilatr Campus as well as the Chairperson, College Research (Designation); Ubi Project Leader (Designation)
last Wednesday when he presented the findings of their research entitled “Ubi Industry Status in Bohol” during the
Sandugo Agri-Fair Food Fair Assessment Workshop held at the Panda Tea and Garden, Dao, Tagbilaran City.

This too even that he reported that the status of production volume showed in their research that Bohol is
identified as the top producer of Ubi in the country, contributing an average of 38% of the national production (PSA,
2021, averaged based from 2010-2020 production.

According to Engr. Jomoc the Ubi production area in Bohol had decreased by 65% having an annual average
decrease rate of about 3.3% based on 2013-2017 (0.5% increase in 2018-2020).

He pointed out the issues/problems of Ubi industry in the province such as: low quality and limited planting
materials, unfertile soil resulting to low productivity, low mechanization status, cultural degradation, genetic erosion
for white yam, climate change, low buying price, high cost of labor, lack of market, limited capital, and pest
infestation and disease incidence.

Along with these issues and problems, Engr. Jomoc said they have concluded that the disease incidence, pest
infestation, poor quality of planting materials, poor production practices, unfertile soil; and the poor/limited linkage
between producers and processors are the primary contributing factors to a low productivity in Bohol.

He said that the numerous issues and problems also contribute to the diminishing interest among Boholano Ubi
growers into Ubi production.

Engr. Jomoc said that with this scenario, they have some recommendations which are the following:
strengthening the organization of Ubi growers within the municipality particularly the identified Ubi growing
municipalities; annual updating of the list of Ubi growers including the number of hills planted, planting distance
adopted, and varieties planted;

Strengthening the marketing assistance provided to the Ubi growers; strengthening production input support such
as investment to production machineries/equipment, fertilizer subsidy, planting materials (Kinampay) and
transportation support; provision of supports to value adding activities.

Executive Assistant for Agriculture Ric Oblena said that what is his being known in Bohol that to market the Ubi
tubers is not a problem but really the production.

The former Department of Agriculture 7 Regional Director said that aside from being limited production of Ubi
especially the Kinampay variety, there is a so called “Ubi Smuggling” wherein the aromatic variety of Kinampay
planting materials be brought to other provinces in bulk and will be planted there. And if the DA has dispersal
program for Kinampay, they will buy planting materials from other provinces whose palatability is different with the
Kinampay in Dauis, Panglao, Baclayon, Albur in Bohol which has and aromatic smell.

Oblena remarked that if this smuggling of Ubi Kinampay would not be stopped, time will come that there is no
pure Ubi Kinampay in the province which is the legacy from our forefathers . By Atoy Cosap