FEATURE

Critically endangered

mangroves still here

On a flat earthen pot, the deadwood’s rotting texture jutting out from a mossy mound, lends to an insane twist that betray the age and character of the windswept slanting bantigue, a miniature of what could be a tree sucking every ounce of life from a cliff overlooking a troubled sea, had it been left out clinging to a cliff looking out to brace for another tempest.

Now, it is safely the main focus on the bonsai exhibit.

But did you know that before it occupied that earthen pot now made a focal point in a Japanese inspired interior, that bantigue or Pemphis acidula could still be taunting decades of wear, storm winds lashing and twisting its trunk and branches trying its mighty best to uproot it from its perch?

The insolence to keep its stubborn grip on the rockface, has shaped its gnarled trunk, twisted branches and dark green thick leaves making it a perfect material for the living art.

Bantigue, which is still found in cliffs’ crevices and rocky outcrops in Bohol coasts, is in fact a true mangrove, those plants that can thrive on salty environments and have been acclaimed as one of nature’s most efficient at capturing carbon and other greenhouse gases.

Said to be able to capture carbon by absorption five times better that terrestrial trees, mangroves keep these carbon dioxides from getting released into the atmosphere, hastening climate change.

In the Philippines, other than acting as the earth’s most efficient air purifiers, mangroves have proven to be the coastal communities’ toughest defences against storm surges, storm-spawned waves and hurricanes.

However, despite its critical roles in maintaining a balanced environment, environment authorities report massive mangrove areas devastation, usually driven by natural forces and mostly by human activities. And for the acidula, illegal bonsai enthusiasts.

Sadly too, bantigui, considered perfect material for bonsai is now considered endangered mangrove species, like Kandelia candel (which is a kind of tungog) which again, is critically endangered.

So are tangal and malatangal (tungog).

Capable of producing tannins from its bark, these kind of tungog mangroves have been used to dye leather, or provide the commercial tans for anything from belts to shoes. And it is food-grade.

Tungog, right. That which lends the color and the raspy bitter taste to your favorite tuba.

Bark from this kinds of mangrove is often taken, dried and then sliced into thin strips so you can have your raspy tuba sinup-ak or pounded into the tuba, and you have binukbok-tungog steeping the tuba with its character.

As mangrove species to like to clump in areas where the sea water reaches, be in neap tide or the spring tide, authorities say that mangroves with brace roots like pagatpat, bungalon, piapi, api-api and bakhaws are ideally in the areas with constant water even in the lowest of tides.

These too are the ideal species for erosion control, surge protection and strong winds, explains Bohol Provincial Environment and Management Office Coastal Resource Management Division chief Maria Villa Pelindingue, at the Kapihan sa PIA.

That is why the BPEMO is now enforcing these brace-rooted mangroves to be planted on areas exposed to the wind and crashing surf.

Towards the middle parts where the high tides normally reach are the busains, pototans, langarai, sagingsaging, tinduktindukan, and the tangal and malatangal.

Some groups volunteering for mangrove planting unknowingly use these mangroves species in exposed areas, where the winds and waves easily uproot them.

In the areas of the shore only reached by sea water during spring tides or the highest tides, buta-buta and nilad followed by the associated species like dungon-late, nino, lambayong, dampol and tiwi thrive.

While in 2019, a mangrove assessment team was able to document 33 to 34 species of true mangroves in Bohol, a team from the BPEMO now is currently carrying out mangrove assessment in areas across Bohol to see if the count still holds weight, according to Pelindingue, over at the Kapihan sa PIA.

The team, with former DENR mangrove expert Dr. Calixto Yao, are also trying to find out if the DENR’s list of critically endangered to vulnerable mangroves can still be seen here, considering that Bohol is one of the country’s most mangrove-diverse provinces.

According to the DENR, true mangrove Kandelia candel is now critically endangered, and people hope it could still be in Bohol.

Camptostenom philippinense (gapas-gapas) on the other hand, is endangered, and so is Pemphis Acidula (bantigue) which is considered vulnerable.

According to Pelindingue, Yao and his team from BPEMO were excited when they still found gapasgapas along the Abatan River system. Over in Cabilao, and Sandingan, bantigue used to thrive, but the assessment team has not reached there yet.

Tangal or tungog si similarly getting near extinction because harvesting the bark can kill the tree, while continued gathering of bantigui for bonsai has proved to be threatening the species too.

With this, BPEMO, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices and the Municipal Agriculture Offices now know better that interest groups and volunteers who wish to plant mangroves now know which kinds are needed in which places to plant.

Please do coordinate with your local MAO or MENROs for coastal towns to get technical help in inspecting proposed planting sites, so they too can pick which species should be planted where and plan out the necessary intervention and protection these species can give to communities.

In Bohol, mangrove nurseries are now starting to sprout, all to the goal of keeping and taking care of mangrove areas, as well as reclaiming those patches that are now abandoned fish ponds, BPEMO said. (PIAbohol)

FROM THIS, TO THIS. Due to its gnarled, twisted trunks and tiny leaves, bantigue, which is a true mangrove native to the Philippines, with its dramatic ash-grey to brown deadwood and dense foliage pads make it a favorite for bonsai artists. This is also what is keeping the bantigue at risk of extinction. (PIABohol/stock.adobe.com)

MANGROVE TO SINUP-AK OR BINUKBOK TUNGOG. Bark is taken from tangal, chopped finely or pounded fine to use its tannin to flavour and color tuba. The amount of tannin used determines the color and taste of tuba, from deep reddish to orangey. This is another reason for the threatening extinction of mangroves. (PIAbohol/Kinaiya kang Sibalom/Photo sikwate)

BRACE ROOTS. A nasty tangle of mangrove roots may impede human movement when gleaning for seashells, but the same prop-root system anchors the plant efficiently on the water keeping erosion in control and surviving better against strong winds, waves and reversing currents. (PIABohol)

PCCI, SB Corp sign deal

for fast MSME loan lane

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—There is now a stream-lined loan application lane for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), announces Central Visayas Representative for the National MSME Development Council, during the opening of the Department of Trade and Industry’ (DTI) Sandugo One-Town, One-Product Trade Expo at the Island City Mall, July 14, 2026.

Melanie C. Ng, who also sits as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) area Vice President for the Visayas and Director for MSMEs said that the PCCI and the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp) recently signed an agreement to roll out a ₱7-billion financing program that creates a streamlined, fast-track loan application lane for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Ng’s announcement came a few days after the DTI and the Bohol SMED Council educed an issue with the MSMEs accessing the loan facility of the government’s SB Corp.

During the cascading of the national SMED Plan by the DTI Policy Research Division and workshop participated in by the Bohol SMED Council, complaints of circuitous processes for MSMEs accessing the SB Corp financing surfaced.

However, Ng, in the presence of over 40 MSMEs, DTI and the potential investors said the recent agreement is to fast-track the processing of loans.

She said PCCI chapters, like the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry will act as conduit to accept, process, and validate applications from members in good standing, cutting down long wait times.

According to DTI Bohol Provincial Director Vierna Teresa Ligan, SB Corp financing is tailored to alleviate capital constraints for fuel-affected businesses, export-oriented enterprises, women-led startups, and returning OFWs.

The loan facility can be from ₱50,000 to ₱3-5 million, with flexible terms like a 1-year grace period and zero-collateral requirements for eligible borrowers.

For those interested, Chamber members can visit or contact PCCI Local Chapter, and in Bohol, it is the BCCI, for the applicant to undergo fast-lane screening and receive an endorsement to SB Corp.

Or, the other option is to go directly to SB Corp by online facility via the SBCorp Money Mobile App for simplified loan submissions, or if that is too risky, applicants can visit the nearest DTI Regional Office or Negosyo Center.

In fact, for bigger capitalization especially for MSMEs that have survived the two years of crisis, eligible MSMEs can even avail of various loan programs under the RISE UP (Resilient, Innovative, Sustainable Enterprises) initiative.

Under this program, loanable amount ranges from P30 million to P50 million, DTI said.

“The loan program is not only for PCCI. We are here to help facilitate the screening and processing of documents, making it easier for SB Corporation to accept and confirm applications, “ DTI Bohol head added. (PIAbohol)

CHAMBER VETTING. With the local chamber processing for the loans of MSMEs, SP Corporation is set to give a preference to the local entrepreneurs seeking additional capitalization, says PCCI Visayas Area Vice President Melanie Ng, after Bohol MSMEs shy away from the SB Corps offers due to circuitous processes. (PIAbohol)

AFTER LAUNCHING IN 2025

‘Bohol Youth Home’ now

serves 19 ‘kid offenders’

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Had it not been opened, nobody would know what would happen to the 19 young Boholanos who made a wrong decision and are now court-committed at the Bohol Youth Home (BYH) while awaiting sentence.

The 19 minors: 9 of them convicted on violations against Illegal Drugs (Republic Act 9165), 8 on violations of Anti-Rape Law (RA 11648), 1 for acts of lasciviousness (RA 7610) and one guilty of car-napping (RA 10883) would not be sent to prison, where being placed with hardened criminals would be illegal.

But, with Republic Act 9344 of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 as amended by Republic Act 10630, Bohol established its own Children In Conflict with the Law (CICL) residential care and rehabilitation facility, so these young offenders can be given another shot in being responsible citizens.

Called the BYH, the facility does not operate as a detention facility but provides residential care and rehabilitation to the CICL.

Established by the Provincial Government of Bohol through Provincial Ordinance No 2018-017, the P69 million facility can accommodate some 30 male and another 30 female residents in separate but identical buildings in Malayo Sur, Cortes, Bohol.

Operated and supervised by the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) to provide care, rehabilitation, and restorative justice for children who have committed offenses but are below the age and circumstances covered by Philippine juvenile justice laws, BYH provides temporary residential care and protective custody to convicted kids.

But unlike detention facilities, BYH also provides social case management, psychological and behavioral interventions, character-building programs, life skills training, educational and vocational support, family intervention and reintegration services as well as sports and recreation activities.

And to be able to do this, the Provincial Government under Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, who has seen the construction and the completion of the facility that does not have all the furnishings to operate, successfully goaded the legislative council to put in the Provincial Annual Investment Funds, for the furnishings, operations and maintenance, generator set and livelihood training center facilities, sports equipment and personnel who would be implementing the youth rehabilitation programs.

Its goal is to rehabilitate rather than punish children, consistent with the principles of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council and Republic Act No. 9344, as amended, explains Bohol Social Welfare and Development Officer Carmelita Tecson.

Officially opened July 22, 2025 after years of un-use, the BYH has since conducted 15 admission conferences since January to June 2026.

For the young residents, BYH has had 18 Life Skill Sessions on Proper Hygiene, Proper Waste Management, Proper Table Etiquette and Healthy Food Choices, Proper Food Handling, Values Formation and Re-orientation, Gender Orientation, Safety Internet (Proper Use of Social Media), Peer Influence and Making Better Choices, RA 9344, Child’s Rights and Safety Protocols OSAEC-CSAEM Orientation from October 2025 to February 2026.

Themselves young teems, the facility also conducted a session on Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health (ASRH), effects of Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Use, through the Provincial Health Office early this year.

Between May 11 to May 19, BYH also pushed for Life Skill Sessions for the young residents. These include Self Awareness, Understanding Emotions, Anger Management, Restorative Justice, Problem Solving, Decision Making and goal Setting., according to the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and development.

Aside from its formal and non-formal education, the facility also has 4 Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment Sessions for Persons with Substance Use, Disorder Triggers (May 4, 2026), Identifying Internal Triggers (May 11, 2026), Identifying External Triggers (May 13, 2026) and the Roadmap for Recovery (May 21, 2026).

And as the young offenders would be released after serving their sentences, BYH also introduced livelihood and productivity trainings, Medical and Psychological Services, Legal Support Services, Family Visitations, Birthday Celebrations, Sports and Recreation, Spiritual Enhancement and Family and Community Reintegration.

After a year, Bohol Youth Home has manifested its support for the implementation of Republic Act No. 9344 (as amended by RA 10630), Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Department of Social Welfare and Development standards for residential care facilities.

These laws require local governments to establish appropriate interventions for children in conflict with the law that emphasize rehabilitation, reintegration, and protection of children's rights, rather than incarceration.

Without the BYH, CICLs are released and committed to the child's own home, under the care and supervision of parents or guardians, whenever appropriate.

Or, if there is a Youth Detention Home (YDH) established by the local government unit (LGU), the child can be held for a temporary period in the holding facility while their case is being processed.

Or in some cases, when the LGU has not put up its youth home facility, the child offender could be referred to an accredited residential care facility operated by the DSWD or an LGU.

As the law prohibits placing children in regular lockups with adult detainees except under very limited circumstances, and even then they must be kept completely separate from adults, that problem is slowly being addressed in Bohol and the BYH could be what Bohol young offenders need prior to their rejoining the mainstream. (PIAbohol)

REFORMING THE YOUTH. After a year, Bohol Youth Home is now home to 19 young offenders who could not be sent to jails to mix with adult criminals for fear of getting bad influence. OPSWD hopes these 19 would soom come out of the BYH gates, totally reformed and thankful of the local government’s initiative. (PIAbohol)

Boholanos urged to join synchronized

fruit-tree growing for nutrition, July 21

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Sustaining the momentum while making sure that communities understand that a good nutrition program involves inclusivity, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has asked members of the provincial, municipal, barangay nutrition council members and concerned Boholanos to join in the June 21 Synchronized Fruit and Tree Growing Activity, as a realization of the 2026 Nutrition Month sub theme: Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan.

Via memorandum Advisory 2026-0012, dated June 29, 2026, the governor has called Boholanos to join in the activity and document it for posterity.

“Fruit trees in identified vacant lots, idle areas and in urban gardens so the future will be better for kids, or trees to help mother nature recover,” explained PNC Action Officer in Bohol.

And building on top of its successes in its programs in nutrition, authorities in Bohol scour the barangays in the towns to hand over to families of kids with severe issues of weight, stunting, wasting and obesity within the next days, hoping it will improve some more, its nutritional status of the Bohoholano children.

At the recent Kapihan sa PIA on nutrition celebrating Nutrition Month, Provincial Health Office’s nutritionists and dieticians Glenda Papeleras, Ardin Lagumbay and Jenelyn Uy shared an improving nutrition status of Boholano kids, based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards.

Using the government’s Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+) which is an annual monitoring activity conducted by OPT Plus team health authorities measure the nutritional status of all children below 5 years using three WHO indices, the nutritionists explained.

These are used to identify the nutritional status of children using the WHO child growth standards: Weight for Age (underweight), Height/Length for Age (stunting) and Weight for Length/height (wasting), Papeleras shared.

As the data collected can provide focused interventions for identified malnourished children, it can also act as baseline for local planning and an indicator of the success of local nutrition program implementation.

For 2024, the total underweight and severely underweight kids among 0 to 59 months old kids was 2.13 percent of the 95,282 kids weighed. This is equal to 2,031 kids.

In 2025, the underweight data showed 2.52 percent of 91,367 kids who are underweight. This totals to 2,303 kids needing intervention.

In 2026 however, for the 88,675 kids weighed, underweight data shows 2.3 percent, which redounds to 2, 065 kids.

For stunting, from the same number (95,282) of weighed kids in 2024, health authorities tracked a 5.27 percent of these kids with heights below the standards for their ages. This amounts to 5,135 kids.

By 2025, with 91,356 kids measured, stunting data was 5.63 percent or 5,137 kids and in 2026, with 88,675 kids measured, stunting data was 4,650 which is 5.23 percent.

In the weight for height index, in 2024, data was 0.63 or some 5,135 wasted kids out of the 95,282 measured. By 2025, with 91,308 kids in the OPT+, wasting was at 0.86 percent or 5,137 kids. In 2026, with 82,628 kids in the national weighing program for pre school kids, data was 0.70 percent of 88,675 or 4,650 kids.

As to obesity, data in 2025 was 0.69%, 0.83 % and 0.68 for the last three years.

And with these data, the Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) has the figures to address, and this month, food packs to form the framework of a supplementary feeding program for the underweight, stunted and wasted are in the July schedules, said Lagumbay, who along with Uy and Papeleras also act as nutrition program monitors.

Targetted for 6 to 23 months kids who are severely underweight and severely wasted, a PNC team is handing to local MNCs of Clarin, Getafe, Sagbayan, Inabanga, Loon and Tubigon some food packs on July 20

By the 23rd, th team moves to Guindulman, Jagna, Duero, Loay, Lilia, Alicia, Baclayon, Anda and Valencia for the same purpose and by the 27th, another food pack delivery to the MNCs happen in Ubay, President Carlos P. Garcia and Talibon.

Earlier, food packs were also distributed to MNCs of Batuan, Bien Unido, San Miguel and Carmen.

Nutritionists guests of the online-streamed program explained that the food packs may just be a small pill over the problem, but they said stronger effort and enhancement would be set for Gatas Bol-anon: the most successful locally implemented program against malnutrition.

The supplementary milk feeding for2 to 5 years who are severely stunted and underweight for 90 days and its paired milky bun, not just helped fight malnutrition but also altered the economic footing of the farmers in Bohol with the dairy program that also acts as sources of income for Bohol families.

The PNC also said they would continue with the 90-days dietary supplementation for nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women, teen-age pregnant women with low body-mass-index, to break the cycle of generation via a maternal milk feeding.

Another program is the dietary supplementation of kids with stunting issues from 6 to 23 month, as studies have shown that stunting can be reversed when the child at the proper age, is given the right diet and supplements, according to Lagumbay.

There is also the Department of Education’s dietary supplementation for school children and another for pregnant women using a Food and Nutrition Research Institute supplied food, they shared, which has to continue. (PIABohol)

SUSTAINING THE NUTRI-GAINS. Nutrition stakeholders urge Boholanos to join in the synchronized fruit and tree growing activity this Tuesday, and document this for posterity even as Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado has issued an advisory for nutrition month’s Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan. Bohol has been successful in bringing down the percentage of malnourished children in the past years. (PIAbohol)

40+ exhibitors from 11 regions
Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo shows
PH best hand crafted innovations

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, (PIA)--From its humble roots as a provincial fair in 1989, this year’s Sandugo One Town-One-Product (OTOP) Trade Expo 2026 opens a five-day exhibit that continues to showcase the best, most creative weave of the region’s artesanal traditions embedded with the contemporary fibers of innovation.

Taking the Island City Mall Activity Center as its venue, the Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo, on its third year with the OTOP official logo but has consistently shown the best of the towns since 2005, and has been a renewal of the Sandugo compact, but with a modern covenant.

“Today, as we open the Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo, we are not just launching a market, but we are renewing that very same compact of a shared commitment of entrepreneurs, government agencies, private sector and the community all working to uplift and champion what is uniquely Boholano,” according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bohol Provincial Director Vierna Teresa Chiu-Ligan.

Envisioned in the 1980s, the provincial fair was an attempt to open a venue for DTI-assisted micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bohol to showcase finest crafts steeped with local ingenuity and creativity, link MSMEs buyers who also introduce design innovations and open new fields of opportunities for the MSMEs.

Over the years, the provincial fair has gathered a fame which the government has acclaimed to be one of the country’s oldest and longest running trade fairs, attracting a huge domestic and international market, according to DTI Regional Director Esperanza Melgar.

In the last years, the Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo expanded beyond the provincial borders, with the finest craftsmen and food innovators in Bohol joined by dynamic entrepreneurs who have travelled across the country to exhibit their products here.

This Sandugo Trade expo has become a tapestry of Philippine ingenuity. Side by side with Bohol’s heritage crafts and unique geo-creatiuve innovations, we have distinct flavors, handwoven textiles and artesanal traditions from across the archipelago, Ligan said.

The trade expo with over 40 participating exhibitors from 11 regions feature home decors and furnishings, furniture and fixtures, baskets and hand-woven products in indigenous materials enriched with fibers, loomwovens, food products, health and wellness products, wearables, personal wear and industrial design innovations as well as a special pavilion for coconut products, has been the object of exhibitors, attracted by the record-breaking cash and booked sales characteristic of the Sandugo expos.

A living testament of the OTOP program uplifting local communities while building a unified competitive nation, the showcase also puts to the spotlight not just creative commodities but stories of weavers presenting age-old traditions while incorporating new designs, innovative flavors of the country’s regional gastronomic nuances now offered with modern food safety technology and creative packaging as well as tangible handicrafts of geo-creative Boholanos, that display heritage and contemporary innovation.

Through initiatives like OTOP and DTIs deliberate focus of product development, we have seen grassroots enterprises evolve. Our MSMEs have shown that they can scale up meet global standards and infuse strict market professionalism into their craft without losing the distinct Boholano soul, Ligan pointed out.

Meanwhile, Bohol governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, whose administration has poured support to the MSME, and who has toured the exhibits said he has seen that Bohol MSMEs have what it takes to grow, innovate and become major players in our economy.

I encourage our fellow Boholanos as well as visitors to take time to explore the exhibits and support our local entrepreneurs. Every purchase you make, is a vote of confidence in the quality, creativity and resilience of Boholano enterprise, Aumentado said. (PIAbohol)

GSIS offers 1000 slots for college

freshmen STEM studes educ aid

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—While the offer is still available, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is expanding its corporate social responsibility with a rationalized educational assistance program for the future leaders who, in this moment of crisis, is in dire need of support.

For the taking is the GSIS Subsidy for enrolled neophyte students taking Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program (GSSP); a P15,000 per semester aid for students who are nominated by their GSIS member parents, enrolled freshmen who have proficiently proven they are above average and are enrolled in the GSIS accredited tertiary education, explained GSIS Bohol chief Igmidio Ponay Jr, over at Kapihan sa PIA.

Implemented in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to expand access to quality education and develop a future-ready Filipino workforce through investments in learning and skills development, the GSIS then opened up slots for 1,000 student beneficiaries including 20 percent of the slots for children from families in the marginalized sector, he explained.

Open for children of low income good-standing GSIS-member parents with salary grade 15 and below, the educational assistance program is for students whose grades from senior high school generally averages 90 and are currently enrolled in GSIS and Commission on Higher Education identified STEM degree programs.

And since this is an educational assistance program, beneficiary students, once admitted by the GSIS could yet be another government scholarship grantee, clarifies Ponay, who added that all one needs to do to continue as a beneficiary until graduation, is to maintain a grade of at least 85%, does not fail from any of the STEM program subjects.

In fact, GSIS also prepared a pack of incentives to beneficiaries who graduate from their STEM programs with Latin Honors.

As soon as a graduate can submit a certification of a Latin Honor grant from the institution, those attaining Summa Cum Laude gets P50,000, Magna Cum Laude: P30,000 and Cum Laude gets P20,000, the Bohol GSIS head continued.

Interested?

Then waste no time as the educational assistance nomination and application is only good from June 30, 2026 until August 31, 2026, Ponay stresses.

Such is because the application and screening process can take time and the documentary requirements need to be filed personally at the nearest GSIS Brach Office.

For more information, contact or visit GSIS Bohol or inquire through email or chatbot from the gsis.gov.ph website, local GSIS Facebook or set a virtual appointment to GSIS via the GSIS Touch mobile app. (PIAbohol)

TOO GOOD TO TAKE A PASS. On the GSIS subsidy for STEM program, getting another P15K a year as educational assistance for only a maintaining grade of 85 is already a big help for STEM students whom President Marcos asked to be given the facility to become future-ready workforce through investments in learning and skills development, explained GSIS bohol manager Igmidio Ponay Jr. at Kapihan sa PIA. (PIAbohol)