Bohol receives its first direct flight 

from Japan, welcomes 163 tourists

By Elvira C. Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — Bohol welcomed 163 Japanese tourists on May 2, 2026, as the province received its first direct charter flight from Japan via Cebu Pacific flight 5J8811 from Narita International Airport to Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

The flight was chartered by JTB Asia Pacific Corporation, with support from tourism stakeholders and the Bohol provincial government.

“This forms part of our strategic efforts in foreign business missions to strengthen global tourism partnerships and expand market reach,” Provincial Tourism Officer Joanne M. Pinat said.

Pinat said the full charter flight signals renewed confidence in the province as an international travel destination.

“In this time of crisis and tough regional competition, this full flight is a signal of renewed market trust, a move towards higher-value tourism, and strategic positioning of Bohol as a globally connected, sustained destination,” she added.

Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado expressed optimism over the development, citing the resilience of the local tourism sector.

“Nalipay kita sa kalamboan sa atong turismo sa Bohol nga bisan pa man sa kakulian sa ekonomiya apan padayon nga ang Probinsya sa Bohol usa sa mga gipili nga destinasyon sa atong mga turista mapa-local man o internasyonal busa aktibo gihapon ang atong turismo,” Aumentado said.

(We are happy with the growth of tourism in Bohol. Despite economic difficulties, the province remains one of the preferred destinations for both local and international tourists, and our tourism sector continues to thrive.)

Aumentado, Pinat, and key tourism and aviation stakeholders personally welcomed the visitors, who were greeted with a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival.

During the welcome reception, Aumentado also met with Japanese Consul General in Cebu Yudai Ueno, underscoring efforts to strengthen ties between Bohol and Japan.

Aumentado said the provincial government has been working with Aboitiz InfraCapital, the Department of Tourism, and the Department of Foreign Affairs to explore other international charter markets and streamline the visa-upon-arrival process for neighboring Asian countries. (ECB/PIA-7 Bohol)

Cebu Pacific flight 5J8811 from Narita International Airport receives a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival at Bohol-Panglao International Airport on May 2, 2026. The charter flight carried 163 Japanese tourists — Bohol’s first direct charter from Japan. (Provincial Government of Bohol)

NIA names 3 dams that may

have problems with ‘El Nino’

TAGBILARAN CITY Bohol (PIA)— The National Irrigation Administration said there are three irrigations systems in Bohol that would not sustain in providing water until the crops can be harvested, but the same agency assures: Malinao in Pilar and Bayongan Dam in San Miguel will have sufficient water for this upcoming cropping season.

This as the state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), last April 22, has updated its El Niño Watch to El Niño Alert, which forecasts with the probability of 79 percent, that the dry spell to be felt starting in two months.

El Niño, a weather phenomenon that shows unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, produces long dry seasons, fewer rains and generally affects local food production.

In Bohol, where there are still huge tracks of rice lands that are beyond irrigation service areas, a long dry spell means lesser chances of successful cropping, especially in rain-fed areas.

NIA-7 Bohol Cebu Siquijor Irrigation Management System Engineering, Construction and Operations Section chief Engr. Evaristo Borja said, after listening to the state weather bureau forecasts and based on the systems management committee meetings plus validations and assessment of the water levels of the irrigation facilities and its capacities, with the El Nino, there are irrigations systems that can not sustain irrigation service until the crops reach their terminal stage.

He named three Small Reservoir Impounding Systems of Ilaya in Ubay, Ilihan in Tubigon and Tugas-Can-olin in Candijay as those facilities which may encounter irrigation water shortage.

To this, the NIA has decided on a revision of their original cropping calendar, for an early release of water from its reservoirs.

This would allow farmers to work on their farms ahead of the usual cropping schedule, to get the better season yet.

Engr Borja said the release of water may not be simultaneous however, but based on the volume and quantity of the water in the reservoir.

He said NIA would have an early release, this week, of the irrigation water in Ilaya Dam in Ubay and Ilihan Dam in Tubigon, where the irrigation administration has prioritized the Department of Agriculture-established 100 hectare demonstration farms.

While Ilihan can serve 191 hectares, this time, even with the proper water management, and with the dam nearly spilling, the NIA official said they have asked the DA to plant high value commercial crops in the remaining farms where the irrigation may not be able to serve, owing to the possible low water levels in the reservoir if the rains do not come.

He added that the same would be adopted in Tugas Can-olin Small Reservoir Impounding System where sustaining the irrigation requirements could be hampered by possible lack of rains.

Our area there is 260 hectares, but this week, we will meet and finalize with irrigators association officers to decide how much would be served while we would recommend the same high value commercial crops for the remaining areas, which can not be served by the water, he explained.

NIA also assured that the SRIS in Tugas Can-olin can serve over a hundred hectares.

To this, the NIA official requests partner agencies like the DA and the provincial government to also set an early release of the seed subsidies so that the farmers can plant earlier and still get the best of the remaining season before the dry season peaks. (PIAbohol)

EARLY WATER RELEASE. NIA 7 Engineering, Constructiopna nd Operations Section Chief Engr. Evaristo Borja (rightmost) said for dams with water volumes not sufficient to irrigate the entire coverage areas, NIA would recommend planting of high value commercial crops which do not need as much water as rice, with the impending El Nino and the altered cropping calendar which NIA suggested. (PIAbohol)