Aris’ EO expands PESWMB

membership, roles, TWG

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)— With an expanded power and membership, the now multi-sectoral inter-agency Bohol Provincial Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (PESWMB) chair governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and co-chairs Jose Cleo Cary Colis and Francis Bernard Batoy expects a much wider girth to operationalize a more effective and efficient plan for sustainable development in an environment friendly Bohol.

This as governor Aumentado, through Executive Order No 38 series of 2025, reconstitutes the composition and expands the membership and functions of the Provincial Ecological Solid Waste Management Board and its Technical Working Group, through a signed order dated December 26, 2025.

Now composed of now composed town and city mayor, congressional districts representatives, heads of provincial offices, national government agencies (NGA) heads, the academe, non-government organizations, business and recycling industry representatives, PESWMB can altogether work in developing a PESWM plan based on the submitted municipal ESWM plans to assure of an integrated plan that complements which the whole province can implement.

This inclusive approach ensures that our waste management policies are grounded in the realities of the local economy and the recycling industry, SP Committee on Environment chair Board Member Jiselle Rae Villamor said.

By integrating the private sector and local junk shops directly into our planning, we are creating a more viable and sustainable circular economy for every Boholano, aligned with our strategic change agenda. Furthermore, these strengthened waste management protocols serve as a vital pillar in maintaining the UNESCO Global Geopark designation of the Province of Bohol, ensuring we preserve our unique geological heritage through responsible environmental stewardship, she added.

Supported by the a team as its working arm, the Board would be advised by the PESWM Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), NGA heads of the departments of Education, local government, information, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environmental protection and Natural Resources Chair, health, engineering, planning and development, environment management, youth development, general services, business, NGA, CENRO Tagbilaran and Talibon, and Alburquerque and Tagbilaran City waste management officers, based on the order.

Part of the TWG tasks is to obtain information and understand innovative practices of LGUS and Organizations, formulate strategic action programs based on multi-sectoral concensus, recommend actions, formulate timelines for key tasks to be undertaken, formulate enabling ordinances, develop promotional campaign plans, manage the conduct of trainings to capacitate itself and the Board and review the PESWM Plan to ensure its sustainability, viability , effectiveness and relevance to developments in the field of solid waste management, according to Environment Management Officer Jovencia Ganub.

The TWG can also review documents, monitor and evaluate the current provincial nd municipal practices, programs and policies to strengthen offices that can co-manage the program and manage technical trainings to enhance capabilities.

On the other hand, for the preservation of Bohol’s natural ecosystems, the PESWMB can recommend measures and safeguards against pollution, develop an appropriate incentive scheme as a strategic component of the provincial solid waste management plan, she added.

And while in Bohol, the organization of Metro Tagbilaran cluster of towns served by the Alburquerque Sanitary Landfill has become a model for solid waste management, the TWG is also tasked to facilitate the clustering of LGUS to craft solutions to their common solid waste management problems. (PIABohol)

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT. Just as Bohol reconstitutes its PESWMB and TWG, LGUs like Jagna continue to slowly manage its solid waste by recycling and manufacturing bricks from shredded bottles and glasses, which in turn, allow an LGU economic enterprise to start. (PIABohol)

BPAI hosts 1st int’l night

format dragonboat races

PANGLAO, Bohol (PIA)—Still rowing as one towards becoming a visible buoy in dragon boat racing, Bohol Paddlers Association Incorporated (BPAI) pulls out a 200 year-old tradition, slap in modern LED lights and hope to create neon ripples that radiate from the Bohol Tropics Resort of Tagbilaran City Bay to the world.

With its First Bohol Glow in the Dark International Dragon Boat Festival this April 18-19 at the Tagbilaran City Bay, BPAI adds up another trademark in its race events portfolio: this time a pioneering international night dragon boat racing, the first in Asia and possibly first in the world.

BPAI president Dr. Theodore Dumalu-an said the international dragon boat racing with visually stunning glow in the dark format, is a strategic initiative to position Bohol as a sports tourism hub and reflects the group’s commitment to sports tourism and community driven development, while generating substantial tourism revenues.

Aside from being a famed eco-cultural tourism destination, Bohol has also its bid becoming a strong sports tourism destination, to help its people escape from the grasp of poverty.

Offered as sanctioned by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation and in partnership with the Provincial and City Governments, the pioneering event is BPAI’s latest innovation in dynamic dragon boating.

BPAI formulated the highly rated “Ultimate Dragon Boat Race: an endurance non-stop 7-heats race,” that has since exhilarated paddling teams from across the country, when they offered it in 2024.

Considered a first in Philippine dragon boat racing circuit, the ultimate dragon boat has captivated teams whose paddlers intend to test their stamina and endurance in an epic paddling and clocking the shortest team time record.

Dumaluan said “when dragonboating was introduced, one concern was, we didn’t want a one-time deal, we planned for the sustainability, and we made our own boat, which assures us of sustainability.”

From then, the group envisioned ways to make the races even more competitive, thus the ultimate dragon boat race came out.

Formally organized in 2013 with PDBF, BPAI gathered paddlers who underwent rigid training in discipline and camaraderie, set it up, after successfully launching its first test of a local paddling competition.

After 13 years of existence, BPAI has organized local and officiated national events dragon boating events in Cebu, Negros Oriental, Dipolog City, Palompon, and even competed in international events, shared Aster Pocot, the group Vice President.

Now in time for the Saulog Festival season in Bohol, BPAI brings out the glow-in-the-dark race that would not just be a showcase of raw power in synchronized paddling, but also of synergy between sports development and tourism growth with potential tourism opportunities for Boholanos.

The competition opens for premier open, premier women and mixed masters categories of regular 200 meter sprint races in LED lit boats.

For this, with international teams from Canada, Malaysia and Japan already sending feelers to compete, BPAI dares: Mark your calendars, test your skills in this rare competition. (PIABohol)

PINNING BOHOL IN GLOBAL DRAGONBOATING MAP. Bohol Paddlers Association Inc President Dr Theodore Dumaluan with officers intend to showcase the daynamic nature of dragon boating when, after offering the exhilarating endurance race format, they hope the novel-glow in the dark night race would be another signature sports tourism product here. (PIAbohol)