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)

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)