BM BONIEL

In a passionate privilege speech, Bohol Second District Board Member Mimi Boniel raised concerns about the recent declaration of a State of Calamity in the province. 

The declaration, aimed at utilizing the Calamity Fund, has drawn scrutiny due to its timing and rationale.

Boniel questioned the urgency of the declaration, especially as Bohol transitions to La Niña, as forecasted by PAGASA. 

She pointed out that the damage report submitted by the Office of Provincial Agriculture covers only the months of March and April 2024—periods characterized by summer conditions.

“Our farmers in Bilar and Batuan have already begun land preparation,” Boniel emphasized. 

“The National Irrigation Administration released water just yesterday, on May 20, 2024, for the cultivation of approximately 3,000 hectares of irrigated rice areas.”

She further questioned the need for cloud seeding at this juncture, considering that the rains have already commenced. 

Boniel warned that such actions could be flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) for being irrelevant to the current environmental situation, potentially wasting government resources.

Additionally, the distribution of irrigation support materials by the Provincial Government of Bohol now seems immaterial, given that the fields are beginning to flood.

“The Calamity Fund cannot possibly cover the needs of all 400,000 farm families in Bohol,” Boniel asserted. “With the filing for October elections approaching, there is a risk that the distribution of aid could be politicized.”

In closing, she urged her fellow board members to reconsider the recommendation for a State of Calamity. 

Instead, Boniel advocated for strategic and sustainable solutions that would genuinely benefit farmers and prepare the province for the challenges ahead.

Bohol’s Agricultural Sector Faces Delays

Bohol’s agricultural sector has been grappling with a series of delays in the implementation of support measures designed to combat the effects of El Niño, reports said.

The reasons behind these delays are complex and have significant implications for local farmers.

Cloud Seeding Efforts Postponed

The cloud seeding project, a critical response to the drought, has been stalled due to administrative oversights. 

Despite the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) submitting a PHP2.5 million proposal in November 2023, the project was not included in the first quarter bidding. 

This resulted in the non-utilization of the Bohol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) funds, as they awaited an additional PHP5 million from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), which only arrived in late April. 

It has been revealed that the procurement for cloud seeding was not pursued using the PGBH’s PHP 2.5 million fund, and only the BSWM’s PHP5 million was considered.

Irrigation Supplies Delayed

The procurement of essential irrigation supplies, such as pumps, drums, and hoses, faced a four-month delay at the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC). 

The bidding process, initiated in August 2023, was only awarded in January 2024. 

Despite forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) predicting an ongoing El Niño event, the BAC allowed a 120-day period for the supplier to deliver the items. 

However, as of late May 2024, the supplier has not fulfilled the order, citing delays from their own suppliers. 

This raises concerns about the post-qualification inspection process and whether it effectively verified the supplier’s ability to provide the items.

Challenges in Procurement of Farming Essentials

The procurement process for seeds, fertilizers, feeds, and other agricultural and fishery supplies has been marred by inconsistencies in the records of the BAC, the Provincial Budget and Management Office (PMBO), and the Bohol Information and Communications Technology Unit (BICTU) under the PGBH Bulk Procurement Method. 

The reconciliation of these records, which involved a PHP10 million discrepancy, took almost two months, significantly delaying action from the offices responsible.

Indemnification Funds for Farmers Unreleased

A PHP30 million indemnification fund for farmers affected by El Niño remains unreleased due to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) failure to authorize the Governor to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) during deliberations in late 2023.

In light of these setbacks, Capitol was recommended to seek guidance from the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding emergency procurement under the state of calamity. 

This is particularly pertinent as the province transitions from El Niño conditions to a forecasted ENSO Neutral state, with a 49% chance of La Niña and a 50% likelihood of maintaining Neutral conditions through mid-year. 

The anticipated delivery of supplies in June, coinciding with the start of the rainy season, underscores the urgency of addressing these procurement issues promptly.

The situation in Bohol serves as a stark reminder of the importance of efficient and responsive governance, especially in times of environmental stress, Boniel said.

The agricultural community’s resilience is being tested, and the need for swift and effective measures is more critical than ever, she added.