Gov Aris, DA led in PAFFF

to 752 Bohol beneficiaries

Teresita Ello, 82 years old from Corella town never expected to be among the 752 beneficiaries of the P10,000 Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk and their Families (PAFF).

A widow who is now living alone in a crumbling house in the hinterlands of the town, Ello survives by her pension which she uses to buy for her maintenance medications, milk and food, the rest of her needs she gets from her backyard where she tends a few crops and plants.

Born as a daughter to small time farmers growing ubi, corn and camote in their family-inherited patch of land in Barangay Cancatac, she has built in herself the habit to go and touch earth and grow whatever the family needs in their small farm.

Working as a Barangay Health Worker for over 30 years, Teresita alternately volunteers to help in the community’s health needs and as a small time farmer that she never considers herself fully into food production that she did not expect to get the presidential assistance.

On October 18, 2024 however, she was among the 10 beneficiaries of the PAFF who would receive the cash assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) representatives and local officials led by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado.

On that day, along with beneficiaries from Alburquerque, Corella, Maribojoc, Dauis and Sevilla, Ello, along with 9 other beneficiaries in the ceremonial turn-over of assistance, would personally tear the sealed brown envelop containing the cash aid to show to the witnesses that they received the government’s assistance to people who have to get through the crisis.

First distributed to some of the identified over 7,000 beneficiaries in Bohol last June with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., himself distributing the assistance in fitting ceremonies at the CPG Sports Complex, the PAFFF has to get back to the initial list and provide documentary evidence for the beneficiaries, explains Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, during the continuation of the presidential handover at the Capitol’s Café Caloy lounge.

Aumentado, who has also heard about the rising complaints on the selection process of the beneficiaries, told the farmers that Capitol is careful that the resources of the government do not get wasted to beneficiaries who do not deserve the assistance, thus the delay in the hand-over.

DA Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Coordinating Officer Roman Dabalos, during the event, called on the farmers and fisherfolk beneficiaries to continue their heroic mission of feeding the country, even as the challenges in farming continue to double.

“This is a huge help,” Ello said as she showed the money she received, which she did not expect.

Living alone, the retired BHW has however rendered honorable service to the community, which has kept her from fully devoting her life in farming.

But as a daughter of a farmer and now living only from the fruits of a small farm and a small pension, the drought has severely affected her life, making her eligible to the assistance.

Elsewhere, families who have pegged their lives on the ayuda mentality, but could not get to the cash windfall have been vocal against the system in determining the beneficiaries.

However, the DA insists that the list was based on the registry of basic sectors in agriculture as validated and verified by the local agriculture offices.

Understanding this, Ello, who initially was adamant in receiving the aid, finally understood that she too, as a farmer and accomplished government health volunteer living alone and without anybody to help her, also deserves the help.

Daghan kaayo’ng salamat, sa mga naghago aron madawat namo ‘ning hinabang, plano nako nga ako kining hinayhinayon og palit og pagkaon ug patrabaho sa akong mga tanom, she revealed as she slowly slipped the cash back in the envelop and into a dilapidated purse. (RACH/PIA_7/Bohol)

TOO OLD TO BE FARMING. The PAFFF turn-over showed to Bohol officials the bleak scenario unfolding before their eyes. 90% of the farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries were over 50 years old, which shows how food security, if left to the oldies, can be a future concern.

22 photographers compete

in Jagna’s Estokada contest

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Oct 19 (PIA)—Twenty-two local photographers had their day of fun and shoot with the newfound motivation to help boost local tourism through the Sinuog Estokada photography contest and documentation, which released its winners recently.

Sinuog Estokada, or the local festival in Jagna which recounts the story of the epic battle between Saint Michael the archangel and the devil, depicted in measured dance and colorful contrasting costume, is Jagna’s top street-dancing offer spilling to the town’s main thoroughfare every September 29, feastday of Saint Michael.

Introduced to the locals sometime in the era when the Augustinian Recollects administered the faith, the story of the epic battle also explores the popular Christian tales under the theme of the triumph of the good over evil.

In Jagna, locals have seen that under Mayor Joseph Rañola, a notable push on tourism has been one of the LGU initiatives.

Instead of commissioning professional photographers to help in documenting this year’s Sinuog Estokada, we succeeded in convincing local authorities in empowering the community and local photographers to show talent.

While the LGU would be spending for tourism collaterals development, we allowed local artists to showcase the richness of the culture and the vibrant heritage of the town, immortalized in pictures, explained Sherwin Sapong, whom the LGU tapped to help organize the photo contest September 29.

We released the contest guidelines and posted entry forms to get an inventory of participating local artists in case of local projects, and on September 29, during the street-dancing parade and the ritual showdown, we did not expect such talents, Sapong said.

Awarded winners were First: Angel Baldapan Jr., Second: Gerald James Cabal, Third: Alfe Boloron, fourth: Angel Baldapan Jr., fifth: Angel Baldapan Jr., Sixth: Bryan Jay Bagaipo, Seventh: Angel Bandapan Jr., Eighth: Gerald James Cabal, Ninth: Angel Baldapan Jr,. and tenth: Leah Carmel Regatuna.

Eleventh: Maxigne Lou Delusa, 12th: Angel Baldapan Jr., 13th: Gerald James Cabal, 14th: Angel Baldapan Jr., 15th: Bryan Jay Bagaipo, 16th: Harold Edulan, 17th: Christian Bongcawil, 18th: Maxigne Lou Delusa, 19th: Angel Baldapan Jr., and 20th: Bryan Jay Bagaipo.

The winning photographs are now on exhibit at the Jagna Municipal Hall, after which these would comprise the campaign materials for Sinuog Estokada tourism collaterals, organizers said. (PIABohol)

TRUMPH OVER EVIL. Saint Michael Archangel, Jagna town’s patron saint, is celebrated here in the Sinuog Estokada which retells the story of the archangel fighting side by side with the natives to repel marauders. A photo contest was launched to capture this moment, and the winners were released this week. (PIABohol)