NEWS

The Typhoon “Tino” left Bohol last Tuesday with P33, 624, 660 worth of initial estimated damages to agri-
fishery products from the 12 out of 47 towns and one city in the province namely: Getafe, Trinidad, Talibon, Pres.
Carlos P. Garcia, Candijay, Inabanga, Loboc, Dauis, Bien Unido, Carmen, Mabini, and Dagohoy.
From that initial estimated damaged value: P32, 959, 140.90 from crops (rice, corn, high value crops, and
cassava) from 8 out of 48 towns; and, P665, 520.00 from fishery products (sea weeds, Bangus fish cages, and
fishing gears) from 5 out of 48 municipalities.

Of the 12 towns who filed their reports, the municipality of Getafe had registered the heavy damage that valued
to P19, 102, 000 of which P19, 077, 000 of this from crops and P25, 000 from fishery (seaweeds), Trinidad (P6, 888,
900 – crops), Talibon (P3, 823, 350 – crops), Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (P1, 062, 601.23 – crops),
Candijay (P925, 560 – crops), Inabanga (P840, 805 – crops), Bien Unido (P330, 000 – fishery products and
fishing gears), Carmen (P250, 000 – Tilapia ponds), Loboc (P201, 500 – crops), Dauis (139, 425 – crops), Mabini
(P30, 520 – fishery), and Dagohoy (P30, 000 – Tilapia ponds).

For the extent of damage on crops: rice (67.49%), corn (4.98%), high value crops (27.32%), and cassava
(0.22%); while for fishery: Bangus (51.04%), Tilapia (44.57%), and Seaweeds (4.39%).

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog said that the damages are expected to increase once all reports will be
submitted and consolidated by the OPA as she asked the MAs/MAOs to file their damage reports so as the OPA
could submit it to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for -possible funding and interventions.

Provincial Agriculturist Quirog urged the agri-fishery sector to be vigilant about the weather condition as another
weather disturbance “Fung Wong” to be named as “Uwan” once it would enter to the Philippine Area of
Responsibility (PAR) that seems to wreak havoc on the Philippine soil.

The fierceness of Typhoon Tino that struck Bohol with signal no. 4 in Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Ubay, Talibon,
Trinidad, Getafe, and Bien Unido: signal no. 3 – San Miguel, Mabini, Buenavista, Inabanga, Danao, Dagohoy,
Guindulman, Pilar, Alicia, Anda, Jagna, Duero, Carmen, Sierra-Bullones, Sagbayan, Clarin, Tubigon, Batuan,
Catigbian,San Isidro, Calape and Loon; while the rest of municipalities were under signal no. 2, claimed one life
(Panglao), and  caused damages to crops, fishery, livestocks, poultry, houses, and infrastructures especially in the
Second District which was badly hit considering the proximity from the eye of the typhoon Tino located in Eastern
Samar. By Atoy Cosap

            The school nominees from the 2nd District of Bohol swept all categories of the Suhid sa Modelong Gulayan sa Paaralan, sponsored by the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) Bohol, City Schools Division, and other partner agencies.

            The provincial winners for the Urbanized and Rural Categories under the Elementary, Secondary, and Technical-Vocational Schools divisions will be recognized and awarded during the Awarding Ceremony on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Lourdes National High School in Panglao, in line with the celebration of World Food Day.

            Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will lead the distribution of cash prizes and plaques of recognition to the winning schools. These include Panghagban Elementary School in Buenavista, represented by Principal Ericson G. Pacaldo and Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) Coordinator Aiden A. Pacaldo, as the provincial winner for the Rural Category (Elementary/Primary Schools); and Diis Elementary School in Trinidad, represented by Principal Evangeline C. Sentillas and GPP Coordinator Medelyn M. Cosme, as the winner for the Urbanized/Containerized Category (Elementary/Primary Schools).

            For the Secondary Schools, Hinlayagan National High School in Trinidad, represented by Principal Indira C. Vanzuela and the school’s GPP Coordinator, was declared the provincial winner for the Rural Category, while President Carlos P. Garcia Memorial High School in Talibon, represented by Principal Floreza S. Bacaro and GPP Coordinator Beda A. Buno, won in the Urbanized/Containerized Category.

            In the Technical-Vocational Schools, the Rural Category winners include San Miguel Technical-Vocational School in San Miguel, represented by Principal Ronnel S. Sayson and GPP Coordinator Estela T. Ampong, ranked first; Sikatuna National Agricultural High School in Talibon, represented by Principal Janice A. Puricallan, Ph.D. and GPP Coordinator Diana M. Amoguis, ranked second; and San Pascual National Agricultural High School in Ubay, represented by Principal Dr. Marieta B. Cempron and GPP Coordinator Jessie B. Bendanillo, ranked third.

            For the Urbanized/Containerized Category (Technical-Vocational Schools), San Pascual National Agricultural High School in Ubay, represented by Principal Dr. Marieta B. Cempron and GPP Coordinator Daria T. Paredes, ranked first; Sikatuna National Agricultural High School in Talibon placed second; and San Miguel Technical-Vocational School in San Miguel, represented by Principal Ronnel S. Sayson and GPP Coordinator Rufina M. Artiaga, placed third. All the winning schools are located in the 2nd District of Bohol.

            During the program, Governor Aumentado, Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, and Bohol Schools Division Superintendent Fay C. Luarez will deliver their inspirational messages, while Panglao Mayor Edgardo F. Arcay and City Schools Division Superintendent Wilfreda Bongalos will give their words of support. Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog will present the rationale of the activity, followed by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas for the acknowledgment of participants, and Kimberly S. Muring for the welcome remarks. Executive Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Engr. Ricardo D. Oblena, will formally close the program. By Atoy Cosap

          The Ubi crop, especially the “Ubi Kinampay” known for its distinct aroma and flavor, along with other varieties, will once again be highlighted for its importance among the Boholano people during the Ubi Festival this coming December.

          During the Ubi Festival 2025 Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting held last October 9, 2025, at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and presided over by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Larry M. Pamugas, it was tentatively agreed that the festival will be conducted on December 3–5, 2025, at Plaza Rizal, located in front of the Old Capitol Building and St. Joseph Cathedral in this city.

          The three-day festival will kick off with a Float Parade Contest at 8:30 a.m. on December 3, 2025, starting from the New Capitol Grounds and ending at Plaza Rizal. This will be followed by a Street Dancing Contest in front of the Old Capitol Building and the Opening Program.

          Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will once again deliver his inspirational message, expressing gratitude to and inspiring Ubi growers to continue sustaining the Ubi farming industry in Bohol. Meanwhile, Congressmen John Geesnell L. Yap (1st District), Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado (2nd District), and Kristine Alexie B. Tutor (3rd District) will share their messages of support, while City Mayor Jane Censoria C. Yap will deliver her welcome message following the rationale and acknowledgment of participants and guests by Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog.

          The ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening of exhibits will officially mark the start of the festival. This will be led by Governor Aumentado, together with Vice Governor Nick Besas, Representatives Yap, Aumentado, and Tutor, Provincial Agriculturist Quirog, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Pamugas, DA-7 Director Angel Enriquez, and Board Members Lucille Lagunay, Nathaniel Binlod, and Lawrence Xavier Ancla.

          Aside from the Float Parade and Street Dancing Contests, which have prizes at stake, other exciting events will add color and flavor to the celebration. These include the Search for Ubi Festival Queen, Best Booth/Product Display, PINAKA Ubi, Ubi Highest Sales, Best Farmers’ Rondalla, Ubi Festival 2025 Vlog, and Ubi Highest Volume contests.

          The Stakeholders’ Night will be held on the second day of the festival at the Bohol Cultural Center, where the Province of Bohol and the participating Local Government Units (LGUs)—along with their Municipal Agriculturists (MAs/MAOs), Agricultural Technicians (ATs), and representatives from partner agricultural agencies—will gather to foster camaraderie and recharge from the demands of their daily work. By Atoy Cosap

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is set to
award the winners of the Suhid sa Gulayan sa Paaralan on October 16, 2025 during the celebration of the World
Food Day in the province to be held at Lourdes National High School, Lourdes, Panglao, Bohol.

To receive the awards are the winners of the Urbanized and Rural Categories of the tilt for elementary, secondary
and Technical Vocational Schools in the three districts of Bohol.

To date, the OPA is now consolidating the ratings or scores from the three winners (one for every district per
category) given by the five judges to find out who will be adjudged as the provincial winners of the search per
category.

The winner per district for elementary level Urbanized Category are the following: Genomoan Primary School in
Loon (1st District), Diis Elementary School, Trinidad (2 nd Dist.), and Bunga Mar Elementary School, Jagna (3 rd
Dist.); secondary level: Busao National High School, Maribojoc (1 st Dist.), Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Memorial High
School, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (2 nd Dist.), and West Ulbujan Garcia Hernandez High School, Garcia Hernandez (3 rd
Dist.).

For the elementary level Rural Category: Triple Union Elementary School, Catigbian (1 st Dist.), Panghagban
Elementary School in Buenavista (2 nd Dist.), and Can-olin ElementarySchool, Candijay (3rdDist.); secondary level
Rural Category: Bantolinao National High School, Antequera (1 st Dist.), Hinlayagan National High School, Trinidad
(2 nd Dist.), and Tambongan National High School, Candijay (3rdDist.).

For Technical Vocational School, there are seven schools as nominees for Urbanized Category; while there are 8
schools for Rural Categories.

Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog explained that the Suhid sa Gulayan sa Pasaralan in collaboration with
the Department of Education (DepEd) Bohol, City Schools Division and other partner agencies has launched to
enhance the knowledge of public school’ pupils and students on the importance of planting and growing vegetables.
Quirog added that it is widely observed that the younger generation today is gradually losing interest in farming
as they more engaged in gadgets, social media-online gaming, and leisure activities.

Earlier, the Provincial Agriculturist asked the strong support from the barangay councils in terms of providing
the schools with the seeds and organic fertilizers’ needs and the establishment of the pupil’s activity areas for their
rural or urban garden systems. By Atoy Cosap

            The Bugas Bol-anon, which is purely Boholano rice, can now be bought at ₱36 per kilogram (kg.).

            This marks the fourth time that Bugas Bol-anon has lowered its price since March 7, 2025, when it was first sold at ₱49/kg. The price was then reduced to ₱45/kg, followed by ₱43/kg, ₱40/kg, and most recently, ₱36/kg.

            The price reduction has been implemented by the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) under the administration of Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado through the Provincial Economic Enterprise Management Unit (PEEMU), which serves as its marketing arm. The move aims to make well-milled rice produced by Boholano farmers more affordable to the public.

            According to Liza P. Flores, Head of PEEMU, Bugas Bol-anon is available in 5-kg, 10-kg, 25-kg, and 50-kg packs, which can be purchased by individuals, groups, organizations, or cooperatives.

            Flores clarified that the ₱36/kg price is fixed and remains cheaper compared to the prevailing prices of well-milled rice in public markets and malls. She added that with this new price, more Boholanos have been flocking to the Ground Floor of the New Capitol Building and the CPG Park Study Hub in front of Bohol Wisdom School to buy pure Boholano rice.

            It may be recalled that during the 5-day Sandugo Agri-Fair held on July 14–18, 2025, at Plaza Rizal in front of St. Joseph Cathedral in Tagbilaran City, Bugas Bol-anon ranked first in sales among all commodities sold, recording total sales of ₱340,050 out of the fair’s overall sales of ₱2,278,269.00

            The Bugas Bol-anon is produced under the provincial government’s Palay Buy-Back Program, which has a total allocation of ₱10 million for purchasing palay from Boholano farmers at ₱24/kg, with a maximum of 14% moisture content. Under this program, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) handles procurement, drying, milling, and packaging of palay, while the PEEMU takes charge of marketing.

By Atoy Cosap

            A total of 36 out of 47 towns and one city in the agricultural province of Bohol have already been affected by African Swine Fever (ASF) as of August 16, 2025, according to data from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV).

            Officer-in-Charge of OPV, Dr. Meydallyn Paman, reported that ASF has spread widely across the province. In the 1st District, Catigbian has 17 affected barangays; Maribojoc, 7; Balilihan, 4; Baclayon, 3; Dauis, 2; while Corella, Tagbilaran City, and Calape have one barangay each affected. In the 2nd District, Ubay has 6 affected barangays; Getafe, 5; Inabanga and Carlos P. Garcia, 4 each; Bien Unido, Buenavista, and Sagbayan, 3 each; Danao and Talibon, 2 each; and Dagohoy and San Miguel, 1 each. In the 3rd District, Candijay has 12 affected barangays; Valencia, 11; Mabini, 8; Alicia, 7; Bilar, 6; Guindulman and Lila, 4 each; Anda, Sevilla, and Carmen, 3 each; Loboc and Garcia Hernandez, 2 each; while Jagna, Loay, and Pilar have 1 barangay each.

            Dr. Paman disclosed that the rapid spread of the ASF virus across Bohol is mainly due to the lack of cooperation among some swine raisers and individuals, which threatens to infest all towns in the province and cripple billions of pesos worth of investment in the hog industry.

            She explained that rampant slaughtering of hogs during fiestas in affected areas, late reporting of ASF cases, non-observance of biosecurity measures by raisers, purchase of piglets from infected towns because of lower prices, and hog traders’ failure to disinfect vehicles are among the practices that allow the virus to spread easily from one place to another.

            According to Dr. Paman, the challenge in the field is not only the enforcement of ASF guidelines but also the uncooperative attitude of some hog raisers, traders, and individuals. She emphasized that if everyone strictly follows the protocols set by the authorities, the spread of ASF can be controlled.

            Because of continued violations of the guidelines, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) will implement the amended ordinance on ASF protocols, which includes the imposition of penalty clauses.

            Dr. Paman further revealed that among the 36 affected towns, some areas are still struggling with active cases while others have started to recover. At present, there are 147 barangays with active cases and 197 barangays with no virus detection.

            ASF cases in the province have been classified into three categories: high, moderate, and low. In the 1st District, Catigbian and Maribojoc are classified as high, Balilihan and Loon as moderate, while Baclayon, Dauis, Corella, Calape, and Tagbilaran City are considered low. No virus has been detected in Alburquerque, Antequera, Panglao, Cortes, Sikatuna, and Tubigon. In the 2nd District, Ubay, Getafe, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, and Inabanga are classified as high, while Bien Unido, Buenavista, and Sagbayan are moderate. Dagohoy, Danao, San Miguel, and Talibon are considered low, while Clarin, Trinidad, and San Isidro remain ASF-free.

            In the 3rd District, the challenge is much greater due to the number of cases. Candijay, Valencia, Mabini, Alicia, and Pilar are classified as high. Anda, Carmen, Dimiao, Guindulman, Lila, and Sevilla are considered moderate. Jagna, Loay, Loboc, Garcia Hernandez, Bilar, Batuan, and Duero are classified as low.

            Dr. Paman strongly urged all swine raisers, hog traders, and individuals to strictly and consistently follow ASF protocols to protect the province’s hog industry, which remains a vital source of livelihood for many Boholanos.

By Atoy Cosap