Tagsa family story: Rare

luck strikes, help floods

What are the chances of a house, over more than a million here in Bohol, gets hit by lighting and burns? One in a million, literally.

Up front, Jenefer Tagsa, 33 years old ranch hand of the nearby Garcia ranch, and wife Jenelyn, 37, loan officer of Community Equity Ventures are your ordinary young couple, struggling to earn decent living for their two kids: 12 and 13 years old.

Admitting they are poor, the couple still affords to adopt two teen-age relatives whom they also call their own.

Relatively with a little above the rest of the community considering that they both are working, the Tagsas did not know their luck would shift into a scare.

Having lived with relatives after their marriage 12 years ago until recently, the Tagsa’s condition also allowed them that modest privilege to help their nephews and nieces, in fact has two of them, extending their family, and enriching their kid’s circle of friends and relatives.

Having saved a little after their kids were born, the couple decided to build a small but decent house in Barangay Caboy, Clarin, and over time, bought some appliances and home fixtures to embellish the home both envisioned to be.

Last July 1, while Jenefer was on duty at the ranch, Jenelyn decided to bring their adopted nephew to the hospital for a recurring fever. The son was with an uncle, learning the trade in farming with tractor operations, their daughter was with the grandma, while the niece was vending refreshments in the next barangay. Not one was left in their house.

For that one in a million chance, a freak nature outburst in a lightning hit their house which stood far from their neighbors. Everything they worked for in the past 13 years turned to ashes.

Also burned were their modest savings, a CEV tablet which Jenelyn uses in her work, and personal belongings.

Bahala na ‘tong mga gamit [sa balay} basta ang kinabuhi safe, Jenefer said.

And when ordinary couples would have cursed their God with what happened, starting all over again with two more mouths to feed would have paled the weak-willed.

Not for Jenefer, who grew up in with the hard life in Barangay Tubod.

Soft-spoken but iron-willed, Jenefer has singlehandedly carried the burden of pushing his wife to continue keeping their kids and their extended family fed, warm and straight in faith.

This has caught the attention of the local police office, which took notice of the family’s fear in God and respect for the law, according to Police Lieutenant Amado Amba.

The wife has a classmate, who connected the police community affairs and development unit (PCADU) of Clarin Municipal Police Station, which has been scouting for beneficiaries for the Bohol Provincial Police Office’s police relations program “Libreng Alagad ug Balay (LAB).

A program under Police Colonel Lorenzo A Batuan (LAB), LAB is the localized implementation of the PNP’s Kasimbayanan: a convergence program by the police, community volunteers and well-meaning sponsors for building decent local-cost houses to law-abiding Boholanos (LAB) victims of calamities, natural disasters and extreme poverty.

Partnering with Balay sa Paglaum: a charity homebuilding program of Erico Aristotle Aumentado and wife Maria Vanessa Aumentado, LAB finally found sustainability as it struggled to build houses initially from police contributions and donations from businessmen and using volunteer work from fraternity Alpha Kappa Rho and the PNP as well as barangay officials.

Tagsa ra ni mahitabo (This can happen not very often), said Tubod Barangay Chairwoman Leah Empanzo, noting that her council has also volunteered to help the police and other volunteers construct the two-bedroom house for the Tagsas.

Tagsa ra pod ni nga ang gobernador mao gyud ang mianhi aron itugyan ang balay nilang Jenefer, she added, as the community also joyfully witnessed the turn-over ceremonies presided over by the local police.

For police Lieutenant Amado Amba, the Tagsa’s are lucky enough to get their own house from the many residents of Clarin, who was among the hardest hit by storm Odette.

And much for their credit, the Tagsas were among the LAB beneficiaries whose turn-overs were attended by outgoing Bohol Provincial Director Lorenzo Batuan, who first sat in office at Camp Dagohoy October 21, 2022.

Aside from the Tagsa’s new house, that same day, Col Batuan, with Governor Aumentado also turned over a house of the Ranil Cabil of Hibale Danao, and Mauro Omana of Riverside Buacao Clarin.

Col Batuan, whose LAB-LAB project has since built over 50 houses, some are still ongoing, but for a project that started late this year, getting the over 50 houses funded is a feat that is not usual.

And the Tagsa family can attest to that. (RAHC/PIABohol)

ADOPTING FAMILY. The Tagsa Family of Tubod Clarin of Jenelyn and Jenefer has two kids, and had even managed to adopt two more relatives. Poor as they are, their hard-earned house got razed by a lightning strike in June. Being good family however made them a beneficiary of the BPPO Libreng Alagad og Balay: a whole of nation convergence free housing program for law abiding Boholanos (LAB) funded by well meaning donors and built by community volunteers. (PIABohol)

HOUSE NOW A HOME. With the turn-over of houses like these, the Tagsa family can now start converting this house into a home, growing responsible teens who will be helping them out of their present economic need now. With the police, and community’s help, their mission of building good communities may be a notch easier. (PIABohol)

PhiVolcs says 18 quakes from

two Bohol faults in past week

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 26 (PIA)—The local earthquake monitoring stations of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) in Bohol has noted the recent successive activities exhibited by two of the four noted faults in Bohol.

In fact, from October 16 to October 26, Bohol’s South Offshore fault has moved 18 times, while the East Bohol Fault moved 6 times in the past 10 days.

In PHIVOLCS latest earthquake information, it shows that last October 25 alone, the seismographs in the earthquake monitoring stations in Bohol and nearby areas recorded 8 earthquakes, six of those originating from east or west of Loay, while the remaining two would originate from east of Anda.

At the recent Kapihan sa PIA, Bohol PHIVOLCS chief Engr Nolan Evangelista noted that the recent activities in Bohol have been mostly emanating from the south offshore fault, and the east Bohol Fault, as contrasted with the North Bohol Fault which moved in 2013 and the Maribojoc Fault.

The fault, which did not move much then, has shown a series of activities that jolted many of the residents of southern Bohol, like the tremor that was observed October 25, at 10:52 PM which was recorded at magnitude 2.9 and was traced originating from 015 kms South 09° west of Loay.

That same day, movements monitored by PHIVOLCS include the 1.8 magnitude quake that happened 11:12 PM from 8 kilometers deep, 006 South 05° East of Loay, 5:44 PM with 1.7 magnitude reading from3 kilometers deep 15 South 09° West of Loay, the 1:23 AM 1.6 magnitude from 34 km deep, 11 south 16° east of Loay, the 12:25 AM with 1.5 magnitude from 34 kms deep, 11 South 16 ° east of Loay and the 12:00 AM 2.3 magnitude shake originating from 8 kilometers deep, 8 South and 03° east of Loay.

For those concerned with the successive movements, Engr. Evangelista said one good thing about constant small jolt is that it dissipates the energy build-up and this can weaken the pent-up energies which could snap anytime and cause a strong one.

And since the movements are generally from offshore Bohol fault, a 4.0 magnitude and larger can be enough to produce a considerable tsunami that would sweep into low lying towns, Evangelista warned.

Over this, the seismologist pressed on communities planning on the designation of high grounds as safe evacuation sites in the event of a tsunami.

The fact is, when it happens, Engr Evangelista said communities would only have a lead time of at least 5 minutes to run and get to the safe site, before the swell sweeps.

This window would be lost if people would not know what to do and where to go when the earthquake generates a tsunami that would sweep on the low lands.

Two more earthquakes were are monitored originating from the East Bohol Fault: one which happened 6:35 AM which generated 2.5 magnitude quake originating some 6 kilometer deep, 21 North 74°east of Anda and at 5:25 AM from 01 kilometers deep producing 3.2 magnitude quake that was traced from 21 North 84° east of Anda.

By the following day, October 24, PhiVolcs noted 5 seismic activities: 11:47 PM producing a 3.3 magnitude jolt for 3 kilometer deep west of Loay, one three minutes earlier with 2.6 magnitude form 4 kilometers deep still from west of Loay, , 4:46PM with 2.5 magnitude quake from east of Mabini from the east Bohol fault and at 3:46 PM with a 2.1 magnitude tremor originating from 26 kilometer deep, west of Lila.

Tw0 more tremors would be recorded on the 23rd: one at 8:08 P producing 1.6 magnitude movement traced some .33 kilometers deep West of Balilihan and 12:01 Am 2.0 magnitude some 9 kilometers deep east of Loay.

Another two more earthquakes were recorded on October 22: the 9:53 PM producing 4.2 magnitude jolt from the east of Loay and another at 11:26 AM from33 kilometers deep producing 1.4 magnitude tremor from east of Panglao.

On October 21, PhiVolcs noted 4 movements: 9:23 PM at 1.9 magnitude from east of Panglao, another at 3:01 PM producing 3.0 magnitude from 05 kilometers west of Loay, another 1.9 magnitude at 2:08 AM again from east of Loay and some 2.0 magnitude quake at 2:06 AM from west of Lila.

There were two more quakes monitored in October 20 all from Loay-Lila areas, two on the 19th again from Loay-Lila, one on the 18th from east of Pilar and 5 on the 16th mostly from East Bohol Fault.

Over all, in the last ten days, PHIVOLCS tracked 32 movements, all emanating from the three of four known Bohol faults, majority of which would come from the south offshore Bohol fault. (RAHC/PIA_7/Bohol)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Should anything happen from the south Bohol offshore fault and produce a higher magnitude could generate a tsunami that could sweep lowland areas in southern Bohol in a matter of five minutes, according to PHIVOLCS Bohol head Engr Nolan Evangelista. Here, community preparedness plays so much to reduce the risks and mitigate loss of lives. (PIABohol)

Long week end starts this

Thursday noon to Monday

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 26 (PIA)—Boholanos would have a long vacation this week, beginning Thursday afternoon, until Monday, November 4, when Bohol commemorates President Carlos P. Garcia Day.

This as Malacanang, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, declared the suspension of work for government offices and classes at all levels suspended on October 31, from 12:00 noon, to provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe the traditional All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day activities.

The suspension also allows people to travel to and from different regions in the country and promote domestic tourism.

For work in private companies and offices, by authority of the president, Bersamin said the decision is left to the discretion of the respective heads.

By Friday, November 1, has already been declared special non-working holiday in commemoration of All Saint’s Day.

The following day, Saturday, November 2 has been declared an additional non-working holiday, for All Soul’s Day.

Incidentally, the day also falls on a Saturday.

November 3 is Sunday.

By November 4, Monday, by virtue of Republic Act 7448, this declares every November 4 as a special non-working day in Bohol, and designates November 2-6 as Pres Carlos P Garcia Week.

November 4 is the birth anniversary of the late Boholano president, considered Bohol’s most illustrious statesman. (RAHC/PIA_7/Bohol)

Aris creates ‘Task Force’ against

Illegal alien workers, businesses

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 24 (PIA)—Fed up and frustrated about how foreigners are taking over the tour guiding, tour transport and even tourism service jobs depriving the locals who could have benefitted by the industry boom?

That and still many other issues like businesses which are used as front for human trafficking, prostitution, illegal detention of workers and other forms of abuse of workers can now be targets of a multi-agency and multi sectoral task force that gathers intelligence reports on business establishments operating their illegal businesses in Bohol.

Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has recently signed Executive Order No. 43 series of 2024, which creates an Anti Illegal Business Task Force and safe workplace environment.

Aumentado, who has received countless complaints of foreigners acting as regular tour guides and tour drivers leaving local businesses without any share in the industry profits, has placed the Bureau of Immigration’s Alien Control Officer in Bohol as Task Force member, along with Bohol Provincial Police Intelligence Unit head, Police Provincial Director, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, as well as the Department of Tourism regional director.

In cases where there are businesses used as fronts for illegal operations like human trafficking by sending workers abroad ending without any job waiting, the Task Force also has the Department of Labor and Employment Provincial Head, Inter agency Council Against Trafficking in Bohol, and the Provincial Social Welfare and development officer.

The governor said some business operations in certain parts of the of the country have been reported and suspected of being engaged in human trafficking, forced labor, prostitution, practicing physical violence, illegally employing aliens and other unlawful activities.

It is incumbent upon all local government units, with the assistance of national government agencies to take proactive measures to prevent the entry of the above businesses operations or stop them if they have already entered Bohol, he said.

On this, the task force is tasked to compile and gather intelligence reports on business establishments used as fronts for human trafficking, illegal gambling, abusing workers or allowing workers in unsafe and hazardous workplace environment.

Moreover, the order also allows task force to conduct rescue operations on victims of human trafficking, illegal detention, forced labor, prostitution and conduct information education and communication drives to promote safe workplace environment.

The task force is composed of the governor as chairman, executive assistance on peace and order and public safety of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, National Bureau of Investigation head, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief, Bohol Fire Marshal, Bohol Tourism Officer, mayors from all LGUS concerned, and their city counterparts. (RAHC/PIA-7/Bohol)

COLORUM? Reports of colorum vehicles getting rented to foreign businesses fronted by Filipino nationals, are now claiming the bulk of foreign tourists. These businesses allegedly operate inland tours using illegal aliens without work visas, as tour guides. These are the targets of the new Task Force which the Capitol intends to pursue to level the playing field for locals. (PIABohol/contributed photo)

PNP Gen Aberin issues tall

order for new Bohol PDir

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 21 (PIA)—“Sana kung hindi mo man malalampasan ang accomplishment nga outgoing provincial director, ay sana mapapantayan mo lang muna.” (If you can not surpass the accomplishment of the outgoing provincial director, we hope you could equal it, in the mean time)

Police regional director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin issued this challenge to the new Bohol Provincial Police Director, Police Director Arnel B. Banzon, who comes to in with an extremely large shoe to fill.

The past provincial director, Boholano Police Colonel Lorenzo A. Batuan bowed out as provincial director of Bohol police after completing a two year tour of duty, which according to the police general is already a feat in itself.

Gen. Aberin calls Colonel Batuan’s stint, “bihira,”and added this only means something: dedication and hard work with the support of the provincial government, the police force and the community.

With a one strike policy implemented by the police organization, any police commander can be easily relieved from duty for a mere breach of protocol of the Police Operational Procedures committed by any of his commanders or men in the field.

In fact, it was Aberin who personally issued a tall order for the new Bohol top cop, during the recent turn-over of command ceremonies held at the Camp Francisco Dagohoy covered court, October 21, following a stellar accomplishment of the outgoing colonel.

General Aberin, who considered the Batuan feat as a tough act to follow, noted that in the Boholano director’s 2 year tour of duty capped by a turn-over of the 34th, 35th and 36th Libreng Alagad ug Balay (LAB) decent low cost housing for law abiding Boholanos, initiated and sustained the Bohol Provincial Police Office Pabahay program.

Col Batuan, whose initials are LAB, gave birth to the local adaptation of the police Kasimbayanan in giving out decent houses to law abiding Boholanos, using the whole of nation approach in resource generation.

In partnership with the diocese of Tagbilaran and Talibon and the first couple: Governor Erico Aristother and Maria Vanessa Aumentado’s Balay sa Paglaum Program, the LAB has since given 36 houses to the poor, while nearly 20 more houses are in the different states of completion, for turn-over to their new owners all over the hinterlands of Bohol.

In his tenure, Col Batuan brought Bohol to greater heights, the regional police director said, but then, Colonel Banzon, speaking before the provincial media committed to continue the Batuan legacy.

Beyond that, the PNP regional director told Col Banzon to continue the aggressive campaign on all forms of criminality, especially the campaign against illegal drugs, wanted persons, loose firearms, campaign against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), electronic sabong and continued police presence in the streets. .

Himself a legendary Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officer who led a lightning raid to neutralize in 15 minutes a stand-off involving 300 male and female inmates inside the Bohol District Jail in Cabawan, and a consummate management officer is the new Bohol Police Provincial Director.

Police Colonel Arnel Balagat Banzon, 55 years old from Cebu City, was born on September 22, 1969 to the late PCOL Pepito Banzon of Calape, Bohol, and son of the late Dorotea Pernia.

A member of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Kaagapay Class 1996, the young police officer worked his way silently in the office setting and racked some serious accomplishments for his unit until he became a sepecial weaposn expert and commander.

After a decorated life as an active police quick response team leader, he soon proved his management skills when he contributed to the success of the series of ASEAN Senior Minister meeting in Bohol and Cebu by dutifully performing the secretariat duties of the security organizing committee of events as head secretariat.

Banzon largely orchestrated all matters relating to the security and safety of the foreign and local dignitaries who attended the event which he coordinated with the different involved government offices and sectorial groups with no occurrence of untoward incidents, earning him accolades from the PNP.

His experience as Provincial Director of Negros Oriental also bolstered his supervisory prowess in both admin and operational matters.

He was soon assigned as Chief of the Regional Operations Management Division, PRO7, from a stint as Former City Director of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office during the time of the pandemic.

For Boholanos, it was not his name, but his leadership that rings a bell.

5 AM of June 3, 2008, Boholanos were awakened to an escalating incident leading to a stand-off with the jail guards and the warden of the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Brgy Cabawan District, Tagbilaran City. The escalation happened after a greyhound operation resulted in a riot months back, further electrifying the inmate-wardens and guards’ position.

To resolve the situation, a Cebu SWAT team led by then Major Banzon implemented the SWAT trademark shock and awe and subdued the 300 male and female inmates in just 15 minutes. (PIABohol)

COMMAND FLAG. From outgoing Bohol provincial commander Col Lorenzo Batuan, the command flag goes to General Aberin who hands this to new Bohol police director Colonel Ariel Banzon, who would be taking in a huge show to fill. Batuan is now credited to have led the surgical operations in snapping the local insurgency as well as in engaging communities help with BPPO’s decent houses to law abiding Boholanos. With that command flag, Col Banzon is now set to lead Bohol cops in its continued anti-crime and community policing operations (PIABohol)

NIA-7: Over 21K hectares of land 

converted into nat’l irrigation projects in CV

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA)-- More than 21,000 hectares of land have been utilized for irrigation systems and projects here in Central Visayas.

This was disclosed by the National Irrigation Administration in Region 7 (NIA-7) during the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ in Central Visayas on Oct. 22.

According to NIA-7 regional manager, Engr. Rory F. Avance, the total land area allocated for the agency’s existing and future irrigation projects in Central Visayas covers 21,192.80 hectares.

The land area is used for the development of the existing 15 irrigation systems, eight irrigation projects, and several future irrigation projects in Central Visayas.

“In Central Visayas, we have 15 national irrigation systems and eight national irrigation projects in the region as of December 2023, which covers 21,192.8 hectares of service land area. These are the systems that are being supervised by the National Irrigation Administration,” said Avance.

From the total service area developed under the national irrigation system in the region, 14,942.8 hectares are in Bohol, 5,468 hectares in Negros Oriental, and 782 hectares in Cebu.

Among the ongoing projects of NIA-7, most are located in Bohol, namely: Mabini-Cayacay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP), the Calunasan SRIP, the Bonotbonot SRIP, the Hibale SRIP, and the Malinao Dam Improvement Project.

There is also one existing irrigation project in Negros Oriental, the Tanjay-Bais Irrigation Project.

Future irrigation projects in Central Visayas include the Languyon River- Tuburan SRIP in Tuburan, Cebu, the Kinalan SRIP in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, and the Bohol Northeast Multipurpose Irrigation Project in San Miguel, Bohol.

“These irrigation systems that NIA constructed have been turned over to the local irrigation administrations for maintenance. Aside from these existing projects, we also have line projects or big-ticket projects. Usually these are river impounding projects, where we are just doing some rectifications,” Avance noted.

The NIA-7 regional manager also provided the status of the Tuburan SRIP, which is one of the upcoming irrigation projects of the agency.

“The detailed engineering study is underway for us to determine what is the appropriate engineering scheme that we will use for the Tuburan Dam project. We also conducted community consultations as part of the project planning and preparations.” he added.

NIA was the featured agency for the 22nd episode of the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” program, a platform initiated by the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

National Irrigation Administration 7 Regional Manager Engr. Rory F. Avance (left) and Philippine Information Agency 7 Regional Head Fayette C. Riñen (right) during the 22nd episode of the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ program in Central Visayas on Oct. 22, 2024, in Cebu City. (JAT/PIA7 Cebu)

CV farmers benefit from NIA-7’s production support

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA)-- The National Irrigation Administration in Region 7 (NIA-7) has extended production support to the farmers and irrigators associations in Central Visayas through their Farming Support Services Program.

According to NIA-7, the assistance given in the amount of P50,000 per hectare of land aims to enhance the welfare and productivity of farmers and irrigators groups in the region by providing them with the essential agricultural inputs.

Engr. Rory F. Avance, regional manager of NIA-7, highlighted the agency’s ‘Farming Support Services Program’ as one of their agency’s initiatives during the 22nd episode of ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ in Central Visayas on Oct. 22.

“Another assistance extended by NIA to our farmers is the Farming Support Services Program, of which it is a rice production agreement between NIA and the Irrigators’ Association,” Avance said.

“With this, we provided a production support of P50,000 per hectare that goes for the seeds, recommended fertilizer, and cash component needed during agricultural production,” he added.

Based on the NIA-7 data on the program beneficiaries, a total of 317 farmers and 24 contracting irrigators associations in Central Visayas received the assistance under the Farming Support Services Program.

The total production support released amounted to P17,727,000 covering a harvested area of 40.08 hectares as of October 2024.

“In terms of our accomplishments related to irrigation development towards attainment and production in agriculture, we can still say that the NIA region 7 has contributed a lot in nation-building,” said Avance.

NIA was the featured agency during the 22nd episode of the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ program, a platform initiated by the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

(L-R) National Irrigation Administration 7 Regional Manager Engr. Rory F. Avance and Philippine Information Agency 7 Regional Head Fayette C. Riñen during the 22nd episode of the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ program in Central Visayas on Oct. 22, 2024, in Cebu City. (JAT/PIA7 Cebu)