BM pushes subsidies for tanods, BALA
Board member Aldner Damalerio
Board member Aldner Damalerio filed a resolution to allow subsidies to be given to barangay tanods and barangay livestock aides (BALA).
He told Ardy Araneta-Batoy on Nov. 28, 2024 through the NEWSMAKERS radio program that there is a need to give credit to the hard work of tanods and BALA.
Tanods help in keeping the peace as BALAs help backyard livestock raisers.
The provincial solon said local government units should provide benefits or subsidies to hardworking tanods and BALA or to fund the projects and programs that benefit these tolks.
The provincial government has been providing subsidies to tanods and BALA and Damalerio asks the LGUs that have not given benefits to tanods and BALAs to provide a scheme to help these folks.
Meanwhile, Damalerio said he will support Board Member Benjie Arcamo’s plan to re-open the alleged scandal involving the distribution of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
Damalerio said that Arcamo’s initiative will get his support as the issue has long been stuck in the backburner.
BLCI snare sale undermines PGBh’s choice of JVA partner: Arcamo
Board member Benjie Arcamo said that the move to sell the shares of Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) has effectively undermined the right of the Provincial Government (PGBh) to choose its private sector partner,
He explained this during his interaction with Ardy Araneta-Batoy over Newsmakers ug Uban Pa on Nov. 27, 2024.
The inability of the PGBh to terminate the joint venture agreement (JVA) that led to the sale of BLCI :shares from Salcon to Primelectric Holdings Inc. deprived the government of a choice.
In effect, the PGBh, the owner of the resources was unable to make a choice which among the private companies to partner with.
Arcamo said that when Salcon sold its BLCI shares without prior written approval, the agreement should have been terminated and the PGBh should have been the one given the opportunity to choose the next partner.
Arcamo said that when the PGBh refused to buy the BLCI shares, Salcon felt that it has gained the right to sell the shares to someone else.
However, Arcamo holds the position that the agreement should be terminated first before talking about selling the shares.
Arcamo added what happened is the agreement was not terminated and that Primelectric only took over from Salcon as a substitute to operate BLCI.
He said the move of substitution is now the subject of interpretation for the court to decide.
He and his colleagues are waiting if the issue would be calendared and discussed as the provincial board has deferred action on the issue.
Meanwhile, Arcamo said he is going to raise the issue on the alleged scandal involving the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which has not been talked about of late.
However, it is possible that no resource person would corroborate for the veracity of the allegation, then the issue will be forgotten.
However, he is determined to really make a deep dive into the alleged controversy for the benefit of Boholanos.
Aboitiz group receives notice of award for Bohol airport
ABOITIZ InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) has officially received the notice of award to upgrade, operate, and maintain the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, its parent firm announced on Wednesday, detailing its immediate plans for enhancing the Philippines’ ninth busiest gateway.
In a regulatory filing, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. said its infrastructure arm is expected to sign the concession agreement by the end of the year.
The Transportation department previously announced that Aboitiz InfraCapital would be awarded the P4.53-billion contract for Bohol-Panglao International Airport’s operations and maintenance after the Swiss Challenge ended with no other bids.
This is the group’s second airport public-private partnership project this year, following the award of Laguindingan International Airport after no other parties challenged its unsolicited proposal.
“This project is not just about upgrading facilities but also about boosting economic opportunities, enhancing tourism, and improving connectivity in the Visayas region, and we are excited to be a part of this initiative,” Aboitiz InfraCapital President and Chief Executive Officer Cosette V. Canilao said,
The company said that it will expand the passenger terminal building and modernize airside and landside facilities of the airport within its 30-year concession period.
Ms. Canilao said on the sidelines of Business World Forecast 2025 Forum on Tuesday that the company plans to tap Ireland-based daa International as its technical services provider for Bohol-Panglao airport.
Improvements and enhancements will be immediately implemented at the airport as early as next year, she told reporters.
Aboitiz InfraCapital is scheduled to take over the operations and maintenance of Bohol-Panglao International Airport by June 2025, according to the timeline set by the Transportation department.
In its statement on Wednesday, Aboitiz InfraCapital said it will invest to increase the airport’s capacity from the current two million passengers annually to 2.5 million within two years.
“These investments will enhance the passenger experience, improve operational efficiency, and elevate the airport’s safety and security standards, aligning with AIC’s vision of creating globally competitive airports that showcase the best of the Philippines,” the company said.
The company expects to finish its capacity expansion initiatives for the airport by 2030, allowing it to reach 3.9 million passengers per annum, it said.
At the stock exchange on Wednesday, shares in Aboitiz Equity fell by 40 centavos, or 1.17%, to end at P33.90 apiece.
Drug surrenderee nabbed in Loay
A drug surrenderee was arrested in Loay on Nov. 27, 2024 for alleged involvement in drug trade, reports say.
The police conducted a buy bust operation at barangay Tambangan.
Reports say police arrested a certain Joshua Cagalawan. 24.
The police detected that the suspect was involved in alleged drug trade and decided to conduct a sting operation.
Seized from the suspect were packets containing alleged shabu with an estimated weight of 0.15 grams and valued at P1.020.
He will be facing charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
RDC sees better times for Central Visayas despite NIR’s formation
The Regional Development Council (RDC) said it remains confident that the economy of the region will be unaffected despite the formation of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Negros Oriental and Siquijor are kow included in the NIR leaving Central Visayas with only Cebu province and Bohol.
The RDC has showed support for the sisterhood agreement between Cebu and Bohol.
Kenneth Cobonpue of RDC said that even with the development, Central Visayas will still flourish even with only two provinces based on the provincial product accounts in 2022.
Cebu and Bohol account for 86 percent of the region’s gross domestic product, he said.
With the departure of two provinces, Central Visayas stands to lose P179 billion in gross domestic product or 14 percent, he added.
He hopes that with Cebu and Bohol, the region can hold the line and flourish on its own.
He said a bridge connecting Cebu with Bohol will help boost the region’s economy.
He sees the region to remain able to produce more than a trillion pesos in its gross domestic product.
Boholano prelate to be installed as Bishop of Cubao
A Boholano prelate is slated to be installed as the next bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, reports say.
The installation of Bishop-elect Elias Ayuban Jr. will take place on December 3, 2024.
The said installation shall take place at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral at Lantana Street, Cubao, Quezon City.
Ayuban is a native of Loay, Bohol and will be installed during the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, the patron of missionaries.
Pope Francis appointed Ayuban as the new bishop of Cubao last October 2024.
He replaces Bishop Honesto Ongttoco who is retiring and has been the bishop of Cubao for 21 years.
The Diocese of Cubao was founded in 2003.
Capitol distances from alleged fake Aris FB page
A Capitol official clarified that the governor is not linked with a fake Facebook page bearing his name.
In a radio interview on Thursday, the governor’s chief of staff Filipina Piollo said that the governor is not the one behind the supposed fake FB page.
She urged the people to shy away from the said page as it spews fake news and negative comments.
The supposed FB page was posting negative comments about some national officials.
The page has been harping on the president calling the nation’s chief executive names.
Capitol workes have been advised to let others know about the fake FB page and to stay away from it.
Based on analysis, the fake FB page has a few followers unlike the verified account of the governor, which has more than 200,000 followers.
Coast Guard ship visits Bohol
Officials of the province met with officials of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship that docked in Tagbilaran City; reports on Nov. 28, 2024 said.
The BRP Malapascua MRRV-4403 docked at Tagbilaran after its tour of duty at the West Philippine Sea.
Officials welcomed the officers of the ship on Nov .27, 2024 headed by Capt. Jefferson Rico and his 50 companions.
Rico was thankful for the Boholanos’ warm welcome to the ship and her officers and crew.
Rico toured local officials around the ship, which touts some of the latest technologies in navigation.
He also related their experience in engaging with the Chinese Coast Guard.
The said ship is touted to be a seasoned vessel patrolling the nation’s waters, Rico said.
Other areas the ship was deployed are Benham or Philippine Rise, Batanes, and other areas in north Luzon.
80 pigs culled in San Miguel
Not less than 80 pigs have been culled in barangay San Vicente, San Miguel town as of Nov. 27, 2024 according to reports.
The culling or depopulation was made possible due to the decision reached among hog raisers to support the program to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
There were initially 33 pigs culled and an additional 47 were added to the count. The pigs that were culled came within the 100-meter radius from the location of the index case.
Officials conducted an information and education campaign in several barangays to educate the people about ASF and how to prevent its spread.
Claims of affected hog raisers are being processed especially those whose pigs have been culled.
Panglao eyes P250 M cold storage, fish port
The Department of Agriculture (DA) met with Panglao officials about the plan of Panglao mayor Edgardo Arcay to build a cold storage and fish port.
Arcay met with DA officials on Nov. 26, 2024 and discussed the details of the project.
The project will get a budget of P250 million and hopefully improve the fisheries sector and the lives of fisherfolks.
The meeting also sought for a survey to determine the needs in order to realize the said facility.
This is the initial step towards the implementation of the said program, which will help solve the problems faced by the fisheries sector.
Arcay is hopeful that the project will be fully implemented.
The project will be among the unique facilities that will help the fisheries sector.
Barangay officials attend capacity building confab
Barangay officials, including the Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen and barangay health workers, attended a one-day capacity building conference at the Bohol Cultural Center where the first batch had the seminar on Nov. 26, 2025 and the succeeding batches attending in the succeeding days.
A source said that the officials were invited by batches as the venue has a limited capacity.
During the confab, Capitol revealed that the barangays will get incentives for tanods and barangay health workers plus the P50,000 aid to the senior citizens federation in Bohol.
It has been reported that the P25,000 said to barangays will be increased to P50,000.
Each barangay health worker who attended the meeting also received kits containing equipment for blood sugar, blood pressure and oximeter.
Meanwhile, barangay officials hailed the increase in the aid to barangays as it will help the villages on the programs and projects.
Wanted person arrested in Tagb
A wanted person was arrested by authorities for alleged violation of the Bouncing Checks Law or Batas Pambansa Bilang 22, reports said on Nov. 28, 2024.
The suspect was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by a court in Quezon City.
The suspect was identified as Noel Toledo Bongolto, 50, of barangay Totolan, Dauis.
Reports say that the tracker team on Nov. 27, 2024 implemented the arrest warrant on the accused.
The suspect faces 10 counts of violation of BP22 and the bail was set at P30,000.
Woman arrested for alleged illegal gambling
A woman was arrested after she allegedly engaging with illegal gambling in barangay Sta. Filomena, Albur on Nov. 27, 2024.
The suspect was identified as Arlene Rosales Ortega, 28, of barangay Sta. Filomena.
Police from Albur engaged in an anti-gambling operation that led to the arrest of the suspect.
Seized from her was a point of sale machine, bet stub, and bet money worth P50.
She has been taken into custody and may face charges.
Authorities are now intensiying anti-illegal gambling operations as a measure to curb the crime. Illegal gambling has affected the sale of legal small town lottery operated by a private company and sanctioned by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
San Miguel placed under state of emergency
San Miguel town has been placed under a state of emergency following the infection of several pigs with African Swine Fever (ASF).
In a report on Nov. 27; 2024, Mayor Ian Mendez confirmed that his town has been placed under a state of emergency.
This comes as cases of ASF have been confirmed to have affected pigs in several areas in barangay San Vicente.
Several pigs have been culled as part of the measure in order to prevent the spread of ASF.
The Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office of San Miguel recommended that the town be placed under a state of emergency, reports say.
Mendez hopes the people will pitch in and help in preventing the spread of the disease and impact the local swine industry.
The ASF is a viral disease affecting pigs and there is no effective vaccine and it is preventable as long as biosecurity measures are in place.
Bohol cops Gawad Kalasag anew
Bohol, via the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has again won the Gawad Kalasag award for 2024.
The province won the award for being more than being compliant in its efforts to mitigate disaster risks. Dr. Antony Damalerio said that this is the third Gawad Kalasag award for the province.
The province has been known to be fully-compliant in 2022 and beyond compliant last year.
The award which is the seal for excellence in disaster management is meant to recognize the efforts of local government units in disaster risk and reduction management.
The award is for agencies implementing disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and humanitarian assistance programs protecting high-risk communities.
The awards project was organized by the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that measures compliance in structure, competency, management systems, enabling policies, knowledge management, and partnership and participation.
Other awardees are Tagbilaran City, Alicia. Anda, Buenavista, Calape, Candijay, Carmen, Danao, Dauis, Loboc, Pres. CPG, San Miguel and Trinidad.
Bohol LGUs that are fully compliant are Albur, Baclayon, Balilihan, Batuan, Bien Unido, Bilar, Catigbian, Clarin, Corella, Dimiao, Loay, Lila, Jagna, Insbanga, Guindulman, Getafe, Garcia Hernandez, Loon, Mabini, Maribojoc, Sagbayan, San Isidro, Sevilla, Sikatuna, Ubay.
Tagb police arrest 3 women for alleged illegal gambling
Tagbilaran police arrested three women for alleged illegal gambling, reports say.
The report said that the arrested suspects were identified as Maria Geraldine Galorio, 35, of barangay San Isidro and she was arrested in the said barangay on Nov. 25, 2024.
Seized from her was a point-of-sale machine, electronic bet stub, and bet money worth P300.
Another suspect arrested was Lucina Evangelio, 39, of JA Clarin street, Tagbilaran City,who was arrested at Gallares street also last
Monday.
Taken from her was a point-of-sale machine, bet stub, and bet money amounting to P350.
Meanwhile, a third suspect was arrested and identified as Gemma Bentulan, 40, of barangay Dampas and she was arrested in the said barangay on Monday. Recovered from her were: a paint-of-sale machine, bet stub and bet money worth P120.
The women were taken into custody as they may face charges of illegal gambling.
Minor hurt in road accident in Panglao
A minor was run over by a motorcycle in Panglao on Nov. 26, 2024, according to reports.
The victim is an eight-year-old female from barangay Doljo. The mother of the child narrated that the victim was asked to buy something from a store across the street.
As the child was crossing the street, she was run over by a motorcycle. The victim was brought to a nearby hospital as she sustained wounds on the face and arms and is currently being treated.
Tubigon police nab drug suspect
The Tubigon Municipal Drug Enforcement Team arrested a drug suspect following a buy bust operation on Nov. 26, 2024 at barangay Potohan.
The suspect was identified as Glen Mark Clarion Mendez, 32, of barangay Guiwanon.
Seized from the suspect was alleged shabu estimated to weigh 0.17 grams valued at least P1 000.
The police were detecting the suspect to be engaging in alleged drug trade. This was the reason the police conducted a sting operation.
The suspect was arrested after he transacted with a poseur buyer in a buy bust operation.
Charges of violation of Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 may be filed against the suspect.
Farmers await Senate review of RTL
Farmers from all over including those who are here in Bohol are awaiting the Senate review of the rice tariffication law (RTL).
Sen. Francis Tolentino who was in town on Nov. 28, 2024 spoke to the media and said the RTL poses huge impact to farmers in relation to rice importation. The lowered tariffs on rice imports have impacted the subsidy for local farmers.
Tolentino said the tariff should not be lowered at all times and should only be done in times of disaster.
The RTL should have been raising funds to provide subsidy for farmers, he said.
“Ang proposal ko dyan kailangang balansehin,” he told reporters at the sidelines of his visit to Tagbilaran City. (I propose the need for a balancing act.)
He suggested to jack up the tariffs when there are no calamities so that the government could generate more funds for farmers’ subsidy.
Tolentino was in Bohol primarily to witness the payout of benefits under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), where 4,000 Boholanos were identified as beneficiaries.
Boholano athletes cop 23 medals in Batang Pinoy
Boholano athletes copped a total of 23 medals in the recently concluded Batang Pinoy Games in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The Batang Pinoy is an age-group, multi-sport competition held at Palawan’s capitol from Nov. 23 to 28, 2024:
Sources said that the Bohol delegation won six golds, 10 silvers, and seven bronze medals.
There are 76 members of the Bohol delegation from Tagbilaran and other towns in the province, sources say.
Bohol gained golds in chess, weightlifting, athletics and in boxing.
Boholanos participated in events such as athletics, boxing badminton, boxing, chess, futsal, sepak takraw, swimming table tennis, taekwondo, karate, obstacle course, lawn tennis, and weightlifting, among others.
Aside from athletes, Bohol also sent its coaches and officials, sources say.
DNL: Social media fuels perception on issues
Dan Neri Lim
Gubernatorial aspirant Dan Neri Lim thinks social media helps in forming people’s perception on current issues.
Lim gave his two cents worth on the sage involving the Dutertes and the Marcoses.
In his guest appearance over Ardy Araneta-Batoy’s Newsmakers ug Uban Pa on Nov. 25, 2024, he mentioned that people’s perception on issues could be developed with the use of social media.
Unlike mainstream media, he said, social media is something that cannot be controlled.
He added that using propaganda, some sectors could control the mainstream media and provide a narrative coming from the Palace and the Speaker.
This comes as Vice President Sara Duterte engaged in a war of words with the Marcos side as she revealed that she gave instructions in case she gets killed, an assassin would retaliate and kill President Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Lim said such pronouncements are serious and should not be taken lightly.
Making matters worse, as Duterte is the vice president, whatever she utters becomes something the world would notice.
“Maalarm ang tibuok kalibutan mahitungod niana,” he said. (The world will be alarmed because of the situation.)
Columnist points out the need to carefully study BLCI issue before making refusal move
By Dave Suan Albarado
The Bohol Tribune’s columnist Donald Sevilla revealed that before the provincial government of Bohol (PGBh) refused to buy the Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) shares, there should have been a thorough study about the matter.
He made his thoughts known during the Nov 26, 2024 episode of Newsmakers ug Uban Pa with Ardy Araneta-Batoy.
He felt the quick refusal to buy back the BLCI shares should have been given a long, hard look and thorough study.
Salcon offered the BLCI shares in its possession to the PGBh, in which the provincial government refused, after which Salcon went on to sell the shares to the group of Enrique Razon.
Sevilla said he was surprised to know the shares were already sold when the discussion was still about “if the snares should be bought or not by the PGBh”.
While the issue was being considered, it was reported that the Razon group had already its eyes on the BLCI shares.
All, he said, came after the fact and the sale has been consummated.
As such because of lack of transparency, people, naturally have questions that remain unanswered.
Moreover, Sevilla pointed out that there are processes in relation to the share sale that allegedly were not followed.
Sevilla may be pointing out the need for a prior written approval from the provincial government before Salcon was able to sell the shares.
He also pointed out the joint venture should have been valued by a third-party firm to determine BLCI’s valuation.
CTMO to implement measures to ease traffic flow
The City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) has been working to ease the traffic flow in city streets especially that Christmas is approaching.
CTMO head Tony Samate talked to Gloria Leodivica Araneta during the Nov. 29, 2024 episode of Open Forum.
He said that the CTMO has anticipated an increase in vehicle volume as the Yuletide season approaches.
He said the traffic enforcers are going to extend their hours of duty to man the traffic.
Moreover, he made a proposal to disallow heavy vehicles from using city’s thoroughfares and allow them at diversion roads. The proposal will be sent to the Sangguniang Panglungsod for approval.
He pointed out that traffic management is anchored on three pillars: education, engineering and enforcement. He added the absence of one of the pillars would result in failure.
He also proposed the opening of more diversion roads. He saw the need to have more diversion roads as a means to ease traffic flow.
He said the traffic capacity of city roads has remained the same but the volume of traffic has been increasing.
His proposal has been approved in principle by the City Planning and Development Office and City Engineering Office.
Chatto’s dream fulfilled: DFA office here opens
For Cong. Edgar Chatto, the opening of the consular office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is the fulfillment of a dream.
He longed for the moment when Boholanos need not travel to other places outside of Bohol in order to get passports or transact with the DFA.
Now, his dream has been fulfilled as the DFA office is now open at the Alturas Mall and the solon expressed elation during his interview on Nov. 29, 2024 with Ardy Araneta-Batoy over Newsmakers ug Uban Pa.
The DFA opened the office on Friday in simple ceremonies attended by officials, both local and national.
Chatto thanked Foreign Sec. Enrique Manalo for his video message as the country’s top diplomat is out of the country.
Chatto said only the best and the brightest were selected to man the office. THE DFA was the one which selected the personnel. The 15 persons chosen out of 500 applicants took their oath as the office finally opened for business.
The solon said there is a plan to hire more personnel next year as the DFA will be allowing the authentication of documents at the Bohol consular office.