Bohol gov’t, airlines eye added 

flights, manageable travel costs

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—The Bohol provincial government met with airline and tourism industry representatives on October 5 to discuss better air connectivity, flight services, and passenger access to and from the province.

Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado led the meeting with Joanne Pinat, head of Bohol Provincial Tourism Office; Lucas Nunag, co-chair of the Provincial Tourism Council; Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay; and the governor’s chief of staff, Filipina Asoy-Piollo.

Representatives of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, One Aviation, and the Bohol Alliance of Travel and Tour Operators also attended.

“Importante ang panagtinabangay sa atong mga tourism stakeholders aron mas mapalig-on pa nato ang pag-promote sa Bohol ug ang pag-atiman sa atong mga bisita (Cooperation among our tourism stakeholders is important so we can further strengthen the promotion of Bohol and the care we give our visitors),” Aumentado said.

“Ang mas maayong air connectivity dili lamang para sa mga turista, importante usab kini sa atong ekonomiya, negosyo, turismo, ug sa mga Bol-anon nga nagbiyahe padulong ug gikan sa atong probinsya (Better air connectivity is not just for tourists. It is also important for our economy, businesses, tourism, and the Bol-anons traveling to and from our province),” he said.

Participants discussed were current flight schedules, reduced frequencies during lean seasons, passenger demand, airfares, and opportunities to add flights to Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

They also discussed Cebu Pacific’s plans to increase flight frequencies, including the possible restoration of flights, which would give travelers more options to visit the Bohol Island Geopark.

Participants raised concerns over new passenger processing fees tied to the Common Use Passenger Processing System, with the provincial government citing the need to explore measures to help keep travel costs manageable.

The travel operators’ alliance stressed the role of travel agencies in promoting Bohol and in helping tourists understand airline policies, including baggage allowances and restrictions on food, souvenirs, and other items.

The group also cited the need to raise passenger awareness to support airport safety and security.

Participants stressed the importance of joint tourism promotions, including bundled campaigns and workshops, and closer collaboration among airlines, tourism stakeholders, and the province during lean travel periods.

Tourism officials reminded travelers to book flights only through official airline websites and verified channels to avoid online booking scams. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

Part of the long stretch of powdery white sand of the shores of Panglao, Bohol. It is good news that additional flights and larger aircraft will be operating at the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) in October, which marks the start of the peak tourism months in Bohol. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

Anticipating low harvest in drought:

OPA appeals to rice farmers:

Make next cropping count

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—With indications that the wet cropping harvest may not be as good as projected, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist urges farmers to make the next cropping count by going for site specific rice varieties and other high value crops, while the drought continues to sear the land.

Agricultural Technologist Maricel Barloso, who is the rice program focal person at the OPA, shared at the Kapihan sa PIA that of the province’s 53,880 hectares of rice lands, the El Nino which started to be felt in August, has made farmers adamant in gambling on a cropping season that may end up in disaster.

She said the situation has resulted in only about 30,000 hectares or 55 percent of the total rice area was planted, some of the farmers starting the season late, that their plants did not survive.

She however reported that the OPA has received reports of some 2600 hectares which were planted between May to July, have already been harvested.

Earlier, the OPA also reported that 13 towns, mostly rice producing, have already reported a total of P125.7 million in crop damages, while the OPA hinted that more may be coming.

Barloso also said that some of their rice technicians reported farmers who plated late in August are still hoping that the rains in September can be sufficient enough to scavenge some harvest.

The National Irrigation Administration however, in an interview revealed that they have been advocating a technology called alternate wetting and drying (AWD).

AWD is a water-saving irrigation method where instead of keeping a rice field continuously flooded, farmers alternate between flooding the field and allowing it to dry to a safe level before irrigating again.

The few rains in August allowed for a planting season, but towards the end of the month, the drought hit harder than the farmers thought, that many did not think the wilting plants in the cracking farmlands could be salvaged.

The rains in September however did help the plants to recover, Barloso said, that the farmers are hoping to harvest within the next weeks.

While farmers whose farms have survived are now in the heat of harvest, the OPA said the cloud seeding operations set anytime this month, could be the trigger for farm preparations for the dry cropping season.

Bohol has allocated some P5 million while the national government has also committed another P5 million for 61 hours of cloud seeding, to jumpstart the next cropping.

But with the state weather bureau noting that the El Nino is still to hit hardest towards 2027, OPA through Barloso has urged farmers to take the cloud seeding rains to start another season, adopt AWD and go for site specific rice varieties, which can be tolerant to the volume or lack of water during the next months.

She also challenged farmers in rain-fed areas to diversify: by planting high value commercial crops instead, if water is not really available.

This she said will make them access to available food and income, while leaving the farm unplanted gives them nothing. (PIABohol)

Bohol establishes fair-value

tourism, complaints system

TAGBILARAN City, Bohol (PIA)—Decades after Bohol picked on tourism, which has helped the people dramatically alter the province’s economic skyline, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado finally steps in to grapple a Frankenstein that has threatened to potentially kill the very miracle-industry Boholanos have created.

Through Executive Order No. 46, series of 2026, Aumentado allows Bohol to wrestle the elephant in the room in tourism, to address the recurring complaints and issues related to Bohol tourism, something leaders of weaker mettle and frail political will could never dare.

In establishing Bohol Fair Value Tourism Program, the governor did not only install and establish standards and systems for tourism safety, quality and service excellence, but it also creates a norm for local tourism price transparency and institutionalizes a tourism consumer response and rapid verification system for industry regulation.

Laid within the framework of the Bohol Sustainable Tourism Development Code of 2025, the new order operates on the principles of quality, transparency, fairness, consumer choice, sustainability and value for money.

Touted as an expensive destination by self-proclaimed pundits in tourism products pricing, Bohol also acknowledges that tourism competitiveness may not necessarily require the lowest prices.

However, providing tourists some value-for-money, cost-effective and meaningful options across wide price levels, as well as mechanisms for fair and prompt resolution of legitimate consumer concerns, has the governor ordering to put up a Bohol Tourist Consumer Response System: (BTCRS) an online, Quick Response Code and mobile phone hotline for complaints.

Also, the order also mandates the periodic preparation of Tourism Price and Consumer Experience dashboard with prevailing prices, seasonal and geographic pricing patterns and other useful data for consumer protection, site management and policy formulation.

For complaints however, the BTCRS needs the establishment, tour provider, location, date of transaction, service or product bought, amount charged as against disclosed price prior to the deal and other supporting evidence like receipts, menus, price lists, booking confirmations, photographs, screenshots and other relevant information, indicated.

The order also includes a provision for appropriate legal action to be taken against persons responsible for materially false, misleading or incomplete information concerning prices or services that has gone viral or high impact tourism allegation, malicious, designed to damage Bohol’s reputation as a destination, or simply to generate clicks for social media content and similar intents.

On the other hand, malicious, fictitious and clearly abusive complaints would not be entertained by the BTCRS, however this does not necessarily mean the accuser would be freed from any legal liability. (PIABohol)

With tourism in a slump….

DEPDev hints Bohol’s need

for economic diversification

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Already feeling the impact of the global tourism slowdown, Bohol has to rethink its options and go for economic diversification, says Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) senior economic development specialist, who also happens to be a Boholano.

Raffy Dave E. Boyles, who noted the slackened economic performance of the province, cited retail and wholesale which forms three-fourths of the economy now, has performed when accommodations and tourism services sagged.

Boyles, who works at the DEPDev regional office hinted that a broad based economy opens up a more dynamic economy over one which heavily relies on a single industry.

Congratulating Bohol for registering accelerated gross domestic product, despite a slowdown in tourism which has singularly heaved Bohol’s economy when things went sluggish in 2024, Boyles took note that in the present conditions, Bohol still continued to get the interest it needs.

It may be recalled that in 2024, Bohol’s economic performance was top-billed by accommodations and food services activities at 19.6% growth rate followed by agriculture, forestry and fisheries at 19.2% and public administration and compulsory social security at 20.2%.

In 2025 however, considering an entirely different economic environment deflated by price movements caused by restricted fuel and oil access due to the continuing global crisis, top performing economies have since shifted to human health and social work activities with 13.5% growth rates, education at 11.7% growth, construction at 9.5% growth rate and financial and insurance activities at 8.9% growths.

Boyles cited accommodations and food service activities that led last year, which is largely an industry propelled by tourism activities.

As tourism further dwindled in 2025, DEPDev however projects an increase in 2027, especially at the beginning of the year when winter months in foreign crisis drives them to the tropics.

Beyond tourism, Boyles and the DEPDev sees a light at the end of the tunnel in Information Technology and Business Process Management direction that Bohol is now steering into.

After President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation 821 which declared the two IT BPM hubs in Tagbilaran and the development of the Bohol Business Park in the old airport, Boyles said he expects this to push Bohol’s productivity and further push the provincial economy.

Stressing the importance now of economic diversification, he highlighted how IT BPM is more insulated against global challenges, recalling how the industry saved the economies during the pandemic.

This however entails Bohol sustaining the required reliable talent pool and regularly implementing continuous upskilling and tooling of local manpower with artificial intelligence skillsets to run the industry.

The IT BPM Industry of the Philippines has declared Bohol rapidly transitioning from an emerging site into a scalable, talent-ready IT-BPM hub in the Philippines.

With industry major locators eyeing to employ 5,000 full-time professionals, with medium-term projections targeting up to 10,000 jobs, key companies including TaskUs, Ibex, Sagility, GenPact, and newer entrants like Clear Insights Philippines, have already intimated the bright future for a resilient third economic driver alongside tourism and agriculture. (PIAbohol)

RPOC to all CV LGUS: enact to

grant police access to CCTVS

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—With police to population ratio continuing to provide the opportunity for criminals to beat the crime-busters in their game, the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Central Visayas (CV) evens up the playing field with the proposed access to a different set of eyes on the streets.

During the recent full council meeting, the RPOC believes access to closed-circuit television footages from business establishments and private residences would significantly aid law enforcement in the timely investigation of crimes and gathering of evidence.

The idea came from no less than Police Regional Office Director Police Brigadier General Arnold E. Abad, who sees the use of technology as a potential equalizer, especially in the ever increasing gap between police who are supposed to effectively serve and protect the community but is facing impossible odds: the ratio simply is way beyond mathematics.

Over the years, as the region’s metropolitan areas become complex economic magnets for thousands of workers, these also became nests for crimes, with lawless elements thriving in the heavily lopsided police to civilian population ratio.

Despite aggressive efforts in law enforcement and innovations using enhanced police visibility, crime-time analysis or day-of-week/hour-of-day analysis for “crime days” and “crime hours,” criminals continue to innovate.

And as police to civilian population continue to widen, the police official saw the potential of the installed CCTVs which keep constant watch.

Through Resolution No. 03, series of 2026, the RPOC resolved to encourages all local government units in Region VII to enact an ordinance authorizing police access to CCTV footages from business establishments and private residences for purposes of crime investigation and evidence gathering, subject to applicable laws and data privacy regulations.

The RPOC has been mandates to formulate and coordinate policies, strategies and actions to ensure peace and order and promote public safety and security in the region, thus the resolution.

PBGen Abad believes that access to CCTV footages from business establishment and private residences would significantly aid law enforcement in the timely investigation of crimes and the gathering or evidence.

The PROC also resolved to furnish all LGUS in Region 7 through their respective municipal local peace and order councils for information, guidance and appropriate actions. (PIAbohol)

EXTRA EYES. Other than the police issuing “be on the look out,” advisories, the regional Peace and Order Council in Central Visayas wants all LGUS to get police investigators authorized access to CCTVS, not just in the streets but in business establishments and private residences to aid in post-crime investigations (PIABohol/VIGI)

P5K investment in RTB 32:

high interest in 2.5 years

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Looking for an affordable, convenient low-risk investments with assured quarterly interest payouts?

Check out the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) Retail Treasury Bond (RTB) 32 which the government started offering September 29 and this ends October 7, 2026, says Chloe Redeja, BTr head here.

Offered to commemorate 25th anniversary of the Philippine government's RTB program, RTB 32 is the 32nd RTB issued since its initial offer in 2001.

That is why the government decided to put a 2.5 year tenor for the Philippine government-issued bonds which is designed for individuals, institutions and retail investors scouting of accessible low-risk and high yielding investment, she explained.

Issued by the Republic of the Philippines through the BTr, an investor getting the RTB is basically lending money to the Philippine government for a fixed term and will receive fixed interest payments, with his investment capital returned at maturity.

Available through Joint Lead Issue Managers: LandBank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, the RTB 32 is also available through issue managers and authorized selling agents.

These authorized sellers are BDO Capital, BPI Capital Corporation. Chinabank Capital, First Metro Investment Corporation of the Metrobank group PNB Capital, Security Bank Capital and UnionBank, Redeja enumerated.

For a minimum investment of P5,000.00 which matures for 2.5 years, the RTB earns a coupon rate of 6.875 per annum.

In fact, according to the BTr, any investor may visit any authorized selling agent to open or designate a peso account for his payout over the counter on his choice bank.

He then presents valid government IDs, TIN and fill out the required RTB purchase form, settle the payment to get the official transaction receipt and confirmation of sale.

For an even more convenient transaction, purchase of the RTB may be done online through the BTR website: www.treasury.gov.ph and pick on the RTB 32 banner.

Fill out the online ordering form and select the preferred bank, confirm and agree to the terms and conditions to consummate the order.

For online mobile banking and financial app users who intend to get the bonds, one needs to complete the identity verification, add the funds which is a minimum of P5,000.00 and pay. Transaction receipt is stored in the app inbox.

For Redeja, by engaging in RTB 32, an investor expands his access to government securities by joining in prime investment opportunities usually available only to large institutional investors.

Here, an investor gets an assurance against principal depreciation while providing for him a stable and fixed interest income, while doing a service to the country by helping raise funds for development projects and programs, he ended. (PIAbohol)

Bohol still enjoys

3.9% GDP growth

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)— The total monetary value of all goods and services produced in Bohol grew by P7.83 billion as the Bohol recorded a 3.9 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, in 2025, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

The GDP growth may be slower than in 2024, however, in comparison to the economise of Central Visayas, at 3.9 % growth, Bohol showed better than the 3.7 percent regional GDP growth, and is the region’s second biggest GDP growth after the City of Cebu which has registered a 5.8 percent growth, revealed Chief Statistical Specialist Jessamyne Anne Alcazaren.

As to its contribution to the regional GDP growth, Bohol owns the 0.6 percent of the 3.7 percent regional GDP growth, she continued during the Provincial Products Account Data Dissemination Forum at the Reynas Garden, October 1.

For the regional GDP growth, Cebu City contributed 1.5 percent while Cebu Province pitched in 0.9 percent.

Despite a sluggish service sector performance in 2024 due largely to disrupted world travel due to rise in travel costs and the local African Swine Fever keeping the province’s economy to a crawl, Bohol managed over Lapulapu City’s 0.5 percent and Mandaue City’s 0.2 percent contribution to the regional growth.

Bohol’s meteoric rise to a, 8.8 percent, (later updated to 9.0 percent) GDP growth in 2024 was fuelled a very strong services sector performance, which led economists to conclude that the 73.4% of Bohol's GDP makes the province service-oriented.

With tourism as an aggressive economic driver in 2024, Bohol basked in the post-COVID normalization of international travel which released pent-up demand for overseas travel, China reopened and restored its international travels, while the Korean and Japanese markets added to the boosted tourism arrivals here.

Koreans and Japanese were among Bohol’s biggest foreign source markets.

But in 2025 however, South Korean market weakened by about 13.86 percent, the higher travel costs discouraged price-sensitive travellers, who shifted travel plans to competitive neighboring country travel destinations.

To this, Bohol’s tourism, which thrives on accommodation and food services activities bore the brunt, with a negative 0.6 percent growth, bottoming at 15 of the 16 industries here.

This year, topping Bohol’s industries win terms of growth rates are human health and social work activities at 10.1 percent, construction at 8.7 percent, education at 7.8 percent, financial and insurance activities at 7.3 percent and mining and quarrying at 6.8 percent.

Industries with the largest share in the economic performance of the province are wholesale and retail trade along with repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles at 32.5 percent, agriculture, forestry and fishing at 11.8 percent and financial and insurance activities at 8.8 percent, PSA said. (PIABohol)

GLOBAL TRAVEL COSTS. With services industry severely impacted by the slowdown in tourism precipitated by rising global travel costs, Bohol still managed to record a 3.9% increase in its GDP in 2024, a figure that still accounts to nearly 8 billion of increased economic activities, according to PSA Bohol CSS Jessamyne Anne Alcazaren. (PIAbohol)

Rape cases dip by 30%

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Recorded rape cases in Bohol dipped by 30 percent, from 89 cases in 2025 to 63 cases as of September 15.

Camp Dagohoy deputy director for operations Police Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Berondo reported this during the recent joint meetings of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council.

In his report, LtCol Berondo bared that in 2025, form January 1 to September 15, Bohol recorded 89 rape cases; 36 of which were cleared and 63 were solved cases.

In the same period of 2026, the Camp Dagohoy operations chief said of the 63 total number of cases for the 9 months of the year, 35 have already been cleared while 26 were solved cases.

Police investigators then posted a 55% crime clearance efficiency in 2026 and a 41.2 percent crime solution efficiency, with three months before the year ends.

In 2025, the Bohol Provincial Police Office nailed a 40.44 percent crime clearance efficiency, and a 59 percent crime solution efficiency.

By crime clearance efficiency, it means that the police investigators have already an identified perpetrator on file, but have continued to gather more evidence before the accused could be issued an arrest warrant.

On the other hand, a crime solution efficiency happens when the police investigators have identified the suspects, issued arrest warrants and had the appropriate case filed in court.

Despite the encouraging numbers, police authorities believe that the recent surge of rape cases has something to do with the government’s open and aggressive campaign to encourage victims to report rape and other gender related violence.

In the Philippines, the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)”, implemented nationwide by government agencies and partners, became an 18-day national campaign in 2006 through Presidential Proclamation No. 1172.

A major objective is to break the culture of silence, inform survivors about available services, and encourage them to seek help and report abuse.

With this, the Philippine National Police has specifically attributed increases in recorded rape cases in some periods to improved reporting systems and public-awareness campaigns, rather than necessarily to an increase in the actual incidence of rape.

The Bohol Provincial Police Office also expanded its VAWC information campaign into barangays and held community assemblies and dialogues.

Beyond that, the investigations have also improved, that these successes have motivated victims to seek justice for what happened to them.

More than this, Bohol Chiefs of Police and the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) and police noncommissioned officers was adjudged Best Group Investigators, during the recent 3-day Regionalized Women and Children Protection Summit. (PIAbohol)

GETTING BETTER AT SEEKING JUSTICE FOR WOMEN VICTIMS. Police women and children’s protection investigators from Bohol recently grabbed the Best Group Investigators during a Women and Children’s Protection Summit held in Cebu. Here, rape cases are reportedly on a decline. (PIAbohol/BPPO)

Cloud seeding now awaits

local “Notice to Proceed”

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)--After receiving an initial damage report of P125.7 million in crop damage due to El Nino, Boholanos are now awaiting for the local issuance of the notice to proceed, before the contractor can start bringing in the plane for the farmers to hopefully start the dry cropping.

Office of the Provincial Agriculturist supervising agriculturist Gertrudis Fuentes bared this update at the recent Kapihan sa PIA, Thursday.

The good thing is that, since the cloud seeding operations is by local procurement, the issuance of the notice to proceed need not go for approval outside Bohol, she confirmed.

It may be recalled that the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) has been allocated in its 2026 budget, some P5 million in preparation for climate-change mitigation initiatives, including cloud-seeding operations and agricultural support during dry spells.

This, according to Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, in reports is for 31 hours of cloud seeding operations, which the Provincial El Nino Task Force has tagged for emergency procurement procedures.

On the other hand, the OPA in Bohol also confirmed funds from the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Soils and Water Management, which is also equivalent to 29 hours of cloud seeding flights.

With initial reports of only 11 hectares of rice lands harvested by the end of August, the OPA said as much as 4,304 farmers from 13 towns have been initially reported as affected.

She also said the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Information System, which tracks the encoded data of crop damages from municipal encoders, has showed that in the 13 towns, a total of P125.7 million in crop damage has been reported.

Of this amount, 93 percent represent damages in rice crops during the May to July cropping.

Fuentes also said that corn accounts for the 3 percent in the P125.7 Million damage, while damaged high value commercial crops make up the remaining 3.68 percent.

For rainfall-enhancement cloud seeding, the OPA said the key point is the presence of suitable clouds with enough moisture and the right atmospheric structure.

The past months have been so hot that days were characterized as generally cloudless, that cloud seeding becomes futile since it cannot create a rain-producing cloud from clear sky.

The country’s sate weather bureau notes that cloud formation depends on moisture, temperature, pressure and air movement, factors that were totally absent over Bohol skies in the past months. (PIAbohol)

ANYTIME NOW. Bohol OPA supervising agriculturist Gertrudis Fuentes, at the Kapihan sa PIA bared that the proposed cloud seeding operations can happen anytime, with the notice to proceed coming within Bohol and not from outside authorities. (PIAbohol)

Buy cashless, in Catigbian

as Paleng-QR Ph launched

CATIGBIAN, Bohol (PIA)—Believe it or not, you can get items from sari-sari stores, small vendors and wet market, or ride local public transport without handing out cash payments here.

This as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), along with the Department of Interior and Local Government in partnership with the Department of Information, Communications and Technology as well as financial institutions offering electronic wallet services formally launch Paleng-QR Ph Plus.

Paleng-QR Ph Plus is a digital-payment initiative of the BSP and the DILG which promotes the use of QR Ph payments in public markets and local transportation to bring people and small merchants into the formal digital financial system and digitalize local commerce by making everyday transactions faster, safer and more convenient, explains BSP Visayas Area Director Conrado Ragay, in his video message during the launching.

It encourages market vendors, tricycle drivers, consumers, and other small businesses to accept cashless payments by scanning a standardized QR Ph code.

For a market vendor, a tricycle driver or operator and a seller, all they need to do is open an account with GCash, PayMaya, ECPay or an electronic wallet provider or with a participating bank, who in turn, provides to the vendor a QR Ph Code, which he displays at the store or in the vehicle, to accept electronic payments.

When a buyer who has an e-wallet account pays, he simply scans the QR Ph Code using his preferred e-wallet app from his mobile phones, enters the amount and confirms the payment, while the vendor gets the payment digitally.

Rodolfo Sagot Jr., 66, tricycle driver from Bongbong Catigbian said The QR Ph system solves a problem most drivers are confronted every day: handing change.

If the fare is P15 and the passenger has only P20 coin, sometimes we drivers will find it awkward if we can not give the change and the passenger is forced to give the whole amount without the change, the 66 year old who has been driving since he was 18 said.

Daku kaayog ikatabang ni kay una, seguro ang atong kwarta, kay naa sa maayong pagkabutang, he added even as Mayor Benjie Oliva shared that among his reasons for pushing the digital payment in towns is because he has seen problems of traders from town getting robbed in their marketing trips.

Now with an inter-operability feature that works in the national QR standard, one does not require a different QR Code for every payment platform he uses.

Using QR Code, we do not need to carry cash anymore, Cecilia Thomann, who owns and operates Painintan sa Catigbian, also said.

Mas sayun, mas dali, ug mas lami siya gamiton, Thomann, who has since owned a QR Ph Code even before the pandemic also thinks she has better control of her money in the e-wallet than having cash on hand.

This is not just a new way of paying, thi is a step forward towards a convenient financial inclusivity, with the technology, and shows that Catigbian is ready to make technology useful, DICT Bohol field officer Victor Magallanes announced during the launch.

Meanwhile DILG Bohol Provincial Director Johnjoan Mende said the move is a symbol that the LGU has made sure that it has allowed all people to benefit from the development in town.

According to the BSP, Catigbian is the fourth LGU in Bohol to adopt the Paleng-QR Ph Plus after Tagbilaran, Valencia and Loay.

Catigbian is also the 1590th local government unit to adopt the digital payment system in the lcaol public markets and transport services.

The BSP was also in town to launch the Paleng-QR Ph in Candijay, the fifth Bohol town to officially use the national QR Ph. (PIAbohol)

CASHLESS PAYMENT. Mayor Benjie Oliva leads Catigbian SB Officials and department heads, the BSP, DILG and DICT in making the big C sign, as the town people can opt for cashless payments with a digital payment system now running in their public market, sari-sari stores, local public transport and small services. (PIAbohol)

Nature activist dares

Bohol to Model NbS

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—An environmental activist, now a professor and environmental planner challenges Bohol to become the country’s model for nature-based solutions (NbS), as Boholanos attempt various technologies to address climate change, pollution and biodiversity decline.

By NbS, she means actions that tap healthy ecosystems and use natural processes to address major societal problems but at the same time, it is the biodiversity and the community that benefits.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa PIA, Boholana professor and environment activist Maria Noelyn Dano, PhD., said Bohol can use its eco-cultural tourism as an entry point, to promote NbS solutions to help communities mitigate disaster and at the same time, draw from it for livelihood.

Admitting she follows the provincial and the city government’s official websites, Dano said what both are doing in NbS is encouraging as the government sector initiating things that seriously consider environmental initiatives.

Dano, who holds a doctorate in environmental studies from Australian National University and is an Earth Systems Governance fellow said Bohol is in a perfect position to lead, as a global geopark.

The United Nation’s Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated the entire Bohol island as a global geopark, because Bohol has an unusually strong combination of internationally significant 150 million years of geological heritage, distinctive landscapes, biodiversity, culture, and community-based sustainable development.

In fact, its community-based sustainable development that which finds its roots from a historical consultative and collaborative governance that, many observers believed, has slowly shifted the balance to the direction Bohol is now going.

Finally determined to use a defined sustainable environment policy for development, Bohol painstakingly campaigned for green technologies over gray infrastructure, noting that the former renders less weight for the environment.

While declared as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in the Philippines, much of Bohol is blanketed in a system of protected areas that literally ban hunting, taking, collecting or possessing wild life, cutting, gathering or collecting of forest products, damaging and disturbing wildlife and its habitats, constructing permanent structures without permits, mineral exploration and extraction and occupying without a clearance from the protected area management board.

Unfortunately, these areas are also where communities thrive, occasionally going into the forest or protected areas as alternative source of food or income.

We can not dissociate people from the landscape. In this classic clash between people and the environment, NbS gets in, Dano, who is an associate professor at the University of Science and Technology for Southern Philippines, said.

NbS here taps the ecosystems, allowing farmers to co-exist by using natural processes in tapping the ehalthy ecosystems.

Agroforestry, she said. By agroforestry, she means a land-use system that deliberately combines trees and other plants with crops or livestock in the same piece of land.

Communities can still stay in the land, instead of clearing swatches for farming, they can plant under trees, grow livestock and maintain the ecosystem.

She also cites the usual progress indicators that people use. Many thought that having many buildings and infrastructure, is considered progressive.

For urban planning, the idea is basic. Areas where water bodies are located, should not be built-up areas as these tend to still gather the water, that flooding is always expected in these areas.

In open areas for development, we have to check the historical land use, trace where the water bodies are and plan from there, protecting these from destruction as these could be future problem areas, she hinted.

And in planning, she urged communities to bear in mind that there will be no effective cure without a proper diagnosis, and looking back at the past use as an NbS, saves lives. (PIAbohol)

INITIATIVES ARE ENCOURAGING. Finding local initiatives encouraging, environmental planner and environmental governance activist Maria Noelyn Dano has challenged Bohol to continue modeling for nature-based solutions, especially in responding to issues in climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, flooding and similar issues that impact on communities. (PIAbohol)

ERC implements regional SPC,

over tight power supply- BLCI

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Following the law on supply and demand on electricity, power consumers would tend to believe that they are in for a bill increase, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has this covered.

Bohol Light Company Incorporated (BLCI), which is partly owned by the Provincial Government, said the government has something prepared for times like this when power generation companies left with fewer options would use expensive measures, just to keep the supply coming.

This is the secondary price cap (SPC) which the ERC ordered for the regional implementation to Visayas and Mindanao, for the September billing month, according to BLCI Vice president and Chief Operations Officer Engr. Paulino Almedilla, during the recent press conference.

The SPC is a consumer-protection mechanism used in the Philippines’ Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) to prevent electricity prices from remaining extremely high for a prolonged period when supply is tight, Engr Almedilla explained.

A system that works like a temporary ceiling on the WESM price during sustained price spikes, the ERC's ruled that when power supply is tight, WESM prices would tend to go up due to extreme efforts to source out power from more expensive generation facilities if only to pool a supply.

This them would be reflected in the prices that WESM would demand from Distribution Utilities like BLCO and Bohol Electric Cooperative, thus potentially passing this on to consumers in their bills.

Here, during sustained extreme WESM prices, the ERC activates and forces the WESM to look for less expensive generation costs, thus keeping consumer prices at bay.

According to Almedilla, the approved SPC, since November 2025, is ₱7,423/MWh, which is equivalent to about ₱7.42/kWh.

This means, after the ERC notices a three–day (72-hour rolling average) of WESM prices exceeding ₱12,413/MWh or P12.41 per kilowatt hour, the SPC price of P7.42 per kilowatt hour, is followed.

So, when a distribution utility like BLCI buys a significant portion of its electricity from WESM during a period of tight supply and the prices is over 12.41 per kilowatt hour and stretches for over three days, WESM would be forced to sell this at P7.42 per kwh.

Now, how would this affect the consumer bills?

According to BLCI, the SPC effect on an individual electricity bill depends still on how much electricity the consumer is using.

Given the same power consumption of the August billing, BLCI said the SPC implementation could even bring out a lower consumer bill for September. (PIAbohol)

COULD BE LOWER. While he is not generalizing for all consumers, at least given the same amount of power consumption in August, the application of the SPC could bring down the September bill, considering that the WESM, where BLCI procures a significant supply of power for distribution, is now forced to sell the supply on an ERC ceiling, explains BLCI COO Engr. Paulino Almedilla. (PIABohol)

Total crimes decrease 3.4%

from July to Sept 15 -BPPO

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Enhanced police presence in the streets, intelligence-driven operations against criminalities as well as strengthened law enforcement worked for the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), that crimes sank 3.40 percent or 47 staved-off crime incidents from July to September 15, 2026.

In a report before the joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), Camp Francisco Dagohoy’s deputy provincial director for operations, Police Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Berondo said crimes for the stated period in 2026 reached 1,334 but that is 47 cases lower than the 1,381 cases posted for the same period last year.

These crimes in 2026 are made up of the 573violations against peace and order, and 761 crimes against public safety

As to crimes involving peace and order, the coordinated police efforts in 2026 has caused a 6.37 percent decrease, while crimes involving public safety also dipped to 1.04 percent from the crimes listed last year, the police official reported.

There is also a noted increase of 3.41 percent or that is: from 88 to 91 crimes on index crimes, of crimes punishable by the Revise Penal Code.

For non-index crimes however, these lowered to 8.02 from 524 in 2025 to 482 for the 22 cases scraped off, he added

For the breakdown of crimes which the PNP has been tasked to focus, only crimes of physcal injuries and then found means to escalate by 14 percent.

And for theft at 61 percent increase it simply bloated from 23 cases to 37.

But, these crimes posted sizable numbers that crime fighting victories in murder, homicide, rape, robbery, carnapping motor vehicles and carnapping motorcycles are simply drowned by the numbers.

Over-all, the 8-focused crimes which the PNP were ordered to give emphasis managed a 3.41 percent increase.

For the public safety indicator, damage to property in cases went down 3.9 percent for 436 to 419, while cases involving physical injury increased 1.55 percent or from 323 to 328, and even homicide inched up from 10 cases to 14 in 2026, registering 40 percent increase.

Ove all these, Lt Col Berondo said peace and order in Bohol remains generally manageable with no major incidents recorded, these are attributed to intensified police visibility and preventive patrol operations.

Their sustained intelligence-driven operations resulted in significant accomplishments, including arrests of wanted persons, conduct of anti-illegal drug and illegal gambling operations, and the confiscation of loose firearms.

These efforts demonstrate proactive and impact-driven policing, strengthened through the Safer Cities Initiative, enhancing law enforcement presence and promoting public safety in the Area.

Moreover, he said Bohol Police Provincial Office shall continue to steadfastly pursue and strengthen its operational and administrative initiatives to sustain gains in peace and order and further enhance public safety.

The PNP also aims to strengthen coordination and collaboration with partner agencies, local government units, and stakeholders in the implementation crime prevention and crime solution efforts, and the enhancement of the intelligence community. (PIABohol)

INTELLIGENCE DRIVEN OPERATIONS. Aside from enhanced police visibility in the streets, intelligence-driven operations have helped police attain notable accomplishments in its anti crime and illegal activities drive, said police Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Berondo, during the PPOC last week. (PIABohol)

Registered Bohol coconut farmers 

can tap CFIDP aid, hospital assistance

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Coconut farmers in Bohol who register under the National Coconut Farmers Registry System qualify for government assistance, farm inputs, training and livelihood programs under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

Registered farmers and their immediate family members may also receive up to P40,000 in hospitalization assistance and P5,000 for outpatient consultation and post-admission care, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The PCA pays participating hospitals through guaranteed letters, in coordination with PhilHealth.

In Bohol, nine province-run hospitals serve as implementing partners for the CFIDP Hospitalization and Medical Assistance Program.

The assistance is also available at ACE Hospital, Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center and Holy Name University Hospital.

The PCA also conducts mobile health services in coconut-farming communities in Bohol, offering medical consultations, laboratory tests, dental services and eye checkups.

Coconut farm owners and tillers with up to 5 hectares, leaseholders, tenants and farm workers may register by submitting an application form and supporting documents to the PCA.

Farmers may inquire at the PCA office in Bohol or their municipal agriculture office.

Bohol has 101,400 registered coconut farmers as of December 2025, more than 55,000 hectares of coconut land and more than 4 million bearing coconut palms.

“Ang atong mga farm rehabilitation, paghatag og kalidad nga planting materials, farmer training, climate-smart agriculture, enterprise development ug uban pang serbisyo, direktang nakatabang sa atong mga mag-uuma sa lubi,” said Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado.

(Our farm rehabilitation, provision of quality planting materials, farmer training, climate-smart agriculture, enterprise development, and other services have directly helped our coconut farmers).

The provincial government provided the land where the PCA’s Bohol office stands, financed the first administration building of the Central Visayas Coconut Seed Production Center and supports the protection and development of the Ubay Seed Garden.

After Super Typhoon Odette struck in December 2021, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, or provincial board, authorized a partnership between the provincial government and the PCA to clear fallen and damaged coconut trees under the Debris Management Program.

The province has identified sites for proposed coconut hubs in Balilihan town and at the Bohol Agricultural Technology Center in Ubay town, which would support coconut processing, product development, training, post-harvest work and market links.

It has also helped the Small Coconut Farmers Organization in Loon strengthen its bahalina, or aged coconut wine, enterprise through the Philippine Rural Development Project.

The provincial government has integrated coconut development into its regular agricultural programs, extension services, technical assistance and performance targets.

In September 2026, the PCA named Bohol the Outstanding Bayaniyugan Local Government Unit at its Coconut Industry Sustainability Awards.

The award recognizes local governments that make coconut farmers active partners in local development, according to the PCA.

“Usa kini ka pag-ila sa atong padayong paningkamot nga himuong aktibong kauban sa kalamboan ang atong mga maglulubi (This is a recognition of our continuing efforts to make our coconut farmers active partners in development),” Aumentado said.

At the same ceremony, Bohol Provincial Board Member Lucille Lagunay received the first CFIDP Ambassador Award.

The PCA cited her for measures addressing the farmers’ needs during El Niño, for work to improve access to science-based agricultural services and for strengthening farmer cooperatives and associations in Bohol. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

Bayaniyugan Awardees. Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (4th-L) received the Outstanding Bayaniyugan LGU Award from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) during its 2026 Coconut Industry Sustainability (COINS) Awards held at the PICC in Pasay City on September 11. Also recognized was Board Member Lucille Lagunay (3rd-L), who received the CFIDP Ambassador Award as its first-ever recipient. (Photo from Gov. Aris’ FB Page)

A health worker conducts a blood test on a patient during the Philippine Coconut Authority’s mobile health services for coconut farmers and their families in Duero, Bohol, on Sept. 19. (Photo courtesy of PCA Bohol)

P5-M cloud seeding operation in Bohol fast-tracked

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—The Provincial Government of Bohol has fast-tracked the procurement of a P5-million cloud-seeding operation for the province to help mitigate the impact of El Niño on agriculture.

During the 3rd full-council meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on September 17, Larry Pamugas of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported on the effects of El Niño on the agricultural and fisheries sectors, as well as the ongoing preparations for cloud seeding at both provincial and regional levels.

At the provincial level, Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte announced during the meeting that the contract could be awarded on Friday, September 18, following the placement of the procurement under emergency procedures due to its urgency.

Two companies—Pegasus and Fliteline—have reportedly expressed interest in carrying out the cloud-seeding operation.

The P5-million fund, sourced from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management fund, is said to be sufficient for approximately 31 hours of cloud-seeding flights.

Caberte also stated that the provincial government would negotiate with Aboitiz to reduce the cost of aircraft services.

If the contract is awarded on the scheduled date, cloud-seeding operations could begin on Monday, September 21.

Meanwhile at the regional level, another P7 million in funding from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management has been allocated for cloud seeding, though this is still undergoing the procurement process.

The PDRRMC emphasized the urgency of the operation as a mitigation measure against El Niño, which has been affecting agricultural production in Bohol.

During the third full council meeting of the PDRRMC, discussions focused on strengthening preparedness as the province faces potential drier conditions, ongoing threats to agriculture, health concerns, and other risks that could impact communities in the coming months. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

The 3rd full council meeting of the PDRRMC was held on September 17, 2026, at the SP Session Hall of the New Provincial Capitol in Tagbilaran City, where discussions focused on strengthening preparedness as the province faces potential drier conditions, ongoing threats to agriculture, health concerns, and other risks that could affect communities in the coming months. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

As dengue cases in Bohol rises, PHO warns that

mosquitoes are more active during dry season

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—It is a misconception that dengue cases usually rise only during the rainy season, a Provincial Health Office (PHO) official warn during the 3rd full-council meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on September 17.

“Dili sakto ang pagtuo nga panahon lamang sa ting-uwan kasagarang mosaka ang mga kaso sa dengue. Mas aktibo ang lamok panahon sa ting-init tungod kay mas paspas kini gutmon ug mahimong mas agresibo sa pagpangita og dugo,” said Leonidas Saniel, Dengue Program Coordinator of PHO.

(It is a misconception that dengue cases typically rise only during the rainy season. Mosquitoes are more active during the dry season because they get hungry faster and become more aggressive in seeking blood).

Consequently, he advised the public not to be vigilant against dengue only during the rainy or dry seasons, but to maintain continuous prevention and monitoring efforts at all times.

Based on the latest data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU), recorded dengue cases in Bohol have risen to 2,942—including 20 deaths—for the period of January 1 to September 12, 2026.

Of these 2,942 cases, 12 were confirmed dengue-related deaths, two were probable, and six were suspected cases, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 0.68 percent.

This figure is higher compared to the same period in 2025, which recorded 1,877 cases and five deaths, or a CFR of 0.27 percent.

The ages of those infected ranged from 0 to 94 years old, with a median age of 14.

Males accounted for the majority of cases at 50.78 percent. Children aged 5 to 10 were the most affected group, representing 22.60 percent of all recorded cases.

Tagbilaran City recorded the highest number of cases at 9.52 percent, followed by Talibon-8.46%, Ubay-6.53%, Tubigon-6.12%, and Inabanga-4.6%.

PHO urges the public to practice the "4S Kontra Dengue" strategy—particularly seeking early medical consultation if symptoms appear or dengue is suspected—to prevent the disease from worsening and potentially leading to death. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

4 O'Clock Search and Destroy. The PHO urges everyone to conduct a "Search and Destroy" operation daily at 4:00 PM in areas where mosquitoes live or breed. This is an ideal time to inspect the surroundings and prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. (PHO/ PIA7-Bohol)

PCC milk retort facility

to run in Ubay in 2026

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—When it becomes operational this year, dairy farmers in Bohol will have less worry about their raw milk getting spoiled and wasted for lack of milk processing before this could be sold.

In no time at all this year, the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) inside Ubay Stock Farm (USF) would operationalize a retort facility that elevates milk processing by sterilization, as well as milk storage, to a higher level.

The new facility assures that every time the national and local supplemental milk feeding program demands the milk for identified nutritionally deficient kids, Republic Act 11037 or the “Masunstansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.”

By that law, the government feeding program provides that milk that would be supplied for the program would be sourced out locally, in support of the local dairy farmers, explains PCC USF Center director Dr. Dinah Loculan.

Now on its tenth year of dairy production, Gatas Bol-anon, or the program lodged at the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian accounts for the local dairy production that has since reached its major milestone: 1,000 liters of carabao, cattle and goat milk collected and processed for the government’s milk feeding program, shared Dairy Program Coordinator at the OPV, Romulo Garcia.

But as raw milk spoils relatively quickly because it contains microorganisms and enzymes that remain active after milking, it is the bacteria the milk acquires during the milking process that facilitates microbial growth.

For this, temperature is critical, as bacteria multiply easily at room temperature, while refrigeration slows down microbial growth, but does not stop the bacteria from multiplying.

And then naturally occurring microbial enzymes can break down milk fats and proteins, producing sour, bitter and rancid unpleasant flavors.

There were times when we had to throw gallons of milk that have spoiled, due to traditional logistics deficiencies, or failed purchases, a member of the Bohol Dairy Cooperative, which consolidates raw milk for processing shared.

Unconfirmed BODACO sources also admit processing shortcomings, especially when there is an oversupply of milk during the months when the school milk feeding program ends after 120 school days.

Fresh milk is highly perishable and requires immediate processing and proper handling to maintain its quality and safety. In periods of increased production, surplus milk may be generated beyond the immediate capacity of existing pasteurization and marketing facilities, so that a retort facility for the processing and sterilization of milk will do supply the need, Dr. Loculan explained.

Now already standing and is on its final furbishing and minor touches, the P23 million facility both funded by the United States government’s Public Law 480 (Agricultural Trade Development & Assistance and Act) which funded the P5,427,383.75 building and the PCC for the P15,000,000 retort facility processing, sterilization equipment and storage equipment, according to PCC Carabao-based Enterprise Development chief Guillerma Abayabay.

And then the PCC, through its Carabao Herd Build-Up Project also scoured an additional P2.572,616 for the facility’s electrical system and power generator, she added.

The retort facility provides an additional processing option for surplus milk through commercial sterilization and retort processing, which allows milk to undergo controlled heat and cold treatment, as well as vacuum packaging giving the milk a substantially long shelf life.

The facility will complement existing milk processing operations by Bohol Dairy Cooperative by providing additional capacity to accommodate the increasing volume of milk production from dairy farmers and cooperatives within Vizayas regions, thus ensuring that locally produced milk can be transformed into safe, quality, and marketable dairy products that can respond to the growing demand for milk. (PIABohol)

LONGER SHELF LIFE. Locally processed dairy, which are now processed by a few licensed small-operations of licensed processors, would get a boost, after the Philippine Carabao Center funds a milk retort facility for the Bohol Dairy Cooperative to operate. The retort facility performs pasteurization, sterilization and canning, which can critically extend the dairy’s shelf life. (PIAbohol)

Aumentado rules 8 months of

open whaleshark interaction

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Treading on delicate waters especially with a legislated policy on sustainable marine wildlife tourism, Bohol concedes again, to the re-opening of the whaleshark interaction, but not for the year-long activity.

In fact, with six-months of annual open season for the wild marine animal interaction now specified in the ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR), Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has conceded on a sweet-spot between the option for a requested year-round operations against the IRR provision.

Citing the need to protect natural migration, respond to the seasonal marine conditions, provide biological rest, prevent habituation to human presence, support ecosystem recovery, enhance public safety and apply precautionary principles, the provincial chief executive who has been empowered to amend, decided on an eight-months of open season for marine wildlife interaction, the remaining four months, to be used to allow for the reasons he cited above.

When the whale shark interaction opened in Lila, years back, operators had a year-round operation, until the provincial government, halted the operations pending the implementation of environmental regulations and policies, all for responsible tourism by assuring ecological sustainability and wildlife conservation.

In the interim, while the local whaleshark tours operator worked on to comply with the legal requirements of a safe, environmentally compliant operations, the local Sangguniang Panlalawigan dove into legislating the IRR on the enhanced sustainable marine wildlife interaction in the province of Bohol.

From the initial IRR, the provincial government’s affirmation as stewards of its marine ecosystems stresses on activities that do not inhibit, disrupt or alter natural marine wildlife behaviour and movement while minimizing disturbance, stress, injury, disease risk, behavioural modification that impacts wildlife populations and their environment.

By this, a technical working group working on the IRR, initially recommended close and open seasons in marine wildlife interactions.

Initially, from these recommendations, the approved IRR pegged the designated marine wildlife interaction for whale sharks opened from November to May, like manta ray interactions.

This is unlike the marine interactions for cetaceans, other sharks and marine turtles which are offered year-round, according to the IRR.

However, when the IRR reached back to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the legislative body went back to the TWG to ask about the closed season.

The TWG composed of marine wildlife experts, tourism sector representatives, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, was firm in their position of a closed season from June to October.

Through Section 2 of Provincial Ordinance No 2026-004, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, in Executive Order No 18-A, picked for eight months of open season (November to July) stating that the protection, conservation and sustainable management of marine wildlife and their habitat shall be upheld as a fundamental duty and shared responsibility of Bohol, its towns, marine wildlife operators and local communities. (PIAbohol)

Bohol declares tarsier, endemic

orchid as prov’l flagship species

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—In a bid to halt bio-diversity loss and protect its rare flora and fauna while sustainably managing its treasured resources, Bohol declared the tarsier or mawmag and the rare Bohol helmet orchid as Provincial Flagship Species, making these as symbols for local conservation efforts to gain more public attention and support for protecting wildlife and its habitats.

Through Executive Order No. 37, Bohol Governor issues the provincial flagship species declaration and its biodiversity conservation measures, identifies as secondary species for assessment two more floral and 8 faunal rare treasures as among Bohol’s flagship species for conservation and protection.

The order also institutionalizes the multi-agency, multi sectoral Flagship Species Technical Working Committee tasked to conduct regular monitoring of these species, conduct species population distribution, habitat, diet and biodiversity and establish criteria for determining the significance of species relative to endemism, ecologiocal and cultural conservations status.

Declared now as flagship species are the tarsier, or Carlitos syrichta fraterculus: a distinct specie of the Philippine tarsier that can only be found in Bohol, and the helmet orchid (Corybas boholensis): tiny terrestrial orchids accidentally discovered recently and are found to be endemic to Bohol and grows in karst undergrowths.

More-over, the declaration also identified the following fauna as secondary species for flagship assessment: Philippine red vented cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) or popularly known as abukay, Southern Rufous hornbill (Buceros mindonesis) or kalaw, Bohol sunbird (Aethopyga decorosa) or tamsi, flying lemur (Cynophalus volans) or kagwang, golden crowned fruit bat (Acerodon jubatos) or kabog, Visayan broadbill (Sarcophanops samarensis) or antipara, rock eating shipworm (Lithoredo abatanica), and pistol shrimp (Alpheus takla) or takla.

Apart from the extremely rare but accidentally discovered Bohol helmet orchid as flagship species, also proposed for secondary flagship species for assessment are the critically threatened mangrove species (Camptosthemon philippinensis) or gapas-gapas, and a dipterocarp (Hopia Quisumbingiana) quisumbing-gisok.

Citing the local government’s share of the national task of managing and maintaining the ecological balance of its jurisdiction, as well as advancing the right of people and communities to a balanced and healthful ecology, Bohol noted that the move is also consistent with the E-Nipas Act and the Willdlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. (PIABohol)

NEXT IN LINE. An Executive Order in Bohol now mandates the assessment of the Philippine red-vented cockatoo as secondary flagship species to further advance biodiversity conservation, along with the Southern Rufous hornbill. That Bohol has barangays Abucayan in Calape and Sikatuna tell that these birds used to be abundant here. After the tarsier and helmet orchids, the abukay, kalaw, kagwang and tamsi are to be assessed as secondary flagship species. (PIAbohol)