Philhealth pushes for Konsulta package to the masses
State health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) says it has been actively pushing the so-called Konsulta package as the agency is boosting its contribution to the Universal Healthcare effort of the country.
The PhilHealth Konsulta package is a primary care benefit program under the Universal Health Care law designed to provide Filipinos with access to free or affordable outpatient healthcare services, including consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines.
It aims to improve health outcomes through early detection of diseases and promote preventive care.
Speaking to Gloria Leodivica Araneta, Dina Cinchez of Philhealth regional office talked about the vaunted program of the agency that has the potential to become the cornerstone of the Universal Healthcare in the country.
She said that Bohol is the first province in Central Visayas where all towns have accredited Konsulta package providers, which are the Rural Health Units in each town in the province.
This means Philhealth members may get in touch with the respective Rural Health Units for medical consultations.
The consultations may include basic diagnostic tests aside from consultations with a doctor.
One needs to enroll via the Philhealth online portal or visit the nearest Philhealth office in Bohol for assistance as once the provider has been identified the patient is locked to that provider for a year and may change provider only after a year. Cinchez said in the interview.
IN BOHOL
Cinchez was in Bohol recently as she and her team conducted social health insurance education series.
She met with barangay nutrition scholars from each town and representative from the Provincial Health Office and underwent a three-day training about the National Health Insurance Program and the salient points in the Universal Healthcare Law.
She expects the participants to cascade the information they acquired to other people in Bohol so they too could be aware of the services and packages offered by the Philhealth.
FREE DIALYSIS
Cinchez also said that Philhealth is providing 153 sessions of dialysis per year without the need for out-of-pocket expense.
This means dialysis patients who are members of Philhealth may get dialysis treatments without the need to shell out any cash unlike before.
Close to P1M of alleged drugs seized in Dauis
Close to P1 million worth of alleged drugs were seized by operatives of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Team on June 15, 2025, in Dauis, reports say.
The suspect who figured in the operatives was identified as a Somny Labape, 33, of barangay Bingag, Dauis.
Police detected the suspect to be engaged allegedly in an illegal drug trade, hence, they conducted a sting operation in order to arrest the suspect.
The suspect was arrested after he engaged with a poseur buyer in an operation in barangay Bingag. The operation was witnessed by barangay officials and the media.
The poseur buyer made a transaction to purchase alleged shabu worth P12,000 and the suspect was arrested after the latter handed the alleged illegal drug to the former.
Taken from the possession of the suspect were three other packets containing alleged shabu and the total weight of all the alleged drugs is estimated to weigh 110 grams and valued at P748,000.
The suspect faces charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Mechanic nabbed in Tagb buy bust
A motorcycle mechanic was arrested on June 13, 2025 following a drug buy-bust in barangay San Isidro, Tagbilaran City.
The operation was conducted by the Tagbilaran drug enforcement team who detected the suspect allegedly engaged in the illegal drug trade.
The suspect was identified as Zaldy Guod, 27, of barangay Booy, Tagbilaran City.
The team conducted a sting operation against the suspect who engaged with a poseur buyer. The former was arrested after the transaction.
A poseur buyer engaged with the suspect and purchased alleged shabu worth P500. After the operation, the suspect was taken into custody following the transaction.
At least three packets containing alleged shabu were seized from the suspect weighing approximately five grams and valued at P34,000.
The inventory of the seized effects was witnessed by barangay officials and the media. Charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 await the suspect.
2 minors drown, dead in Dagohoy
Two minors drowned and died in a freak accident in barangay Caluasan, Dagohoy on June 13, 2025, belated reports say.
The victims were teenagers and residents of barangay San Miguel, Dagohoy.
The two were with two others as they came off from a Brigada Eskwela sortie.
The four persons were on their way home as they decided to take a dip.
It was learned that one of the victims did not know how to swim and as he struggled, another person tried to save the one in distress.
Unfortunately, both of them drowned after efforts from their other companions to save the two proved futile.
Responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection in Dagohoy launched a rescue operation but unfortunately the two victims were already dead as their bodies were recovered underwater, which was more or less five meters deep.
The rescuers even brought the victims to the hospital but the two lost their lives.
Police say 1st day of classes generally peaceful
The Bohol police said that the opening of classes for the new school year was generally peaceful in the entire province.
Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, spokesman of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) said that since the start of the school day until dismissal there were no major untoward incidents logged by the police in Bohol.
There were no traffic-related incidents near the schools especially those situated along te highway. This is because according to Nuez, the police implemented tight security near the schools.
Even if the opening of classes was peaceful, the police will still ensure their presence to thwart any potential issues in peace and order.
They will increase their patrol as there are some private schools that are yet to start their classes.
Last Monday, more than 300,000 went back to school in Bohol with more than 1,000 public schools across the Bohol division.
Each school had a couple of police officers posted to ensure the peace and order of the opening of classes.
Department of Education (DepEd) Bohol schools division superintendent Fay Luarez said there are mechanisms in place to address potential issues during the opening of classes.
Luarez said the opening was festive and welcoming in order to make learning more conducive especially to younger learners.
Luarez admitted that classroom shortage remains a problem, but they already found temporary solutions to address the issue.
She said DepEd central office is already aware of the issue but it is unable to address these issues all at once.
The DepEd welcomes the help of partners, parents and other stakeholders in improving the learning environment in public schools particularly in Bohol.
BFAR studies implementing close, open season in Bohol
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is studying the implementation of an open and closed fishing season in the waters around Bohol as one of the measures to lower the prices of fish.
In a report, BFAR national director Eliezer Salilig said he thinks one of the ways to improve the supply and drive the prices down is to implement an open and closed fishing season like what is being done in Zamboanga, Palawan; other parts of the Visayas, among others.
Salilig said the implementation of an open and closed fishing season may be possible in Bohol in order to stimulate more fish supply and in turn drive prices down.
However, the idea needs further study where in particular, the policy will be implemented, especially in the areas where fish are abundant.
Fish prices are a huge issue in Bohol and have become a political issue as Boholanos reel from high fish prices.
The Provincial Government has been working to bring down the fish prices and still has not found a lasting solution to bring the fish prices down as the cost of buying fish in Bohol remains high.
There have been a number of schemes used to bring fish prices down including the buy-back program as one board member wants to create an ordinance to institutionalize the idea of a fish buy back.
Young man arrested in Dauis buy bust
A young person was arrested following a buy-bust operation in Dauis by the town’s drug enforcement unit on Monday.
The suspect was identified as Dennie Atienzo Jr., 22, of barangay Songculan and he was arrested by the Dauis police in a sting operation in the said barangay.
The police were supervised by Maj. Librado Bigcas Jr. during the sting operation and witnessed by barangay ofricials and the media.
A poseur buyer purchased a packet of alleged shabu worth P500 and the suspect was arrested after the sale was consummated.
Taken from the suspect’s possession were three other packets of alleged shabu estimated to weigh one gram and valued at P6,800.
The suspect is facing charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
Boholano priest meets Pope Leo XIV
A Boholano priest recently had an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, according to reports.
Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy mentioned about the meeting of Fr. Daryll Camargo and the Pope in a Facebook post.
Uy explained that the Boholano priest had a chance to meet the Pope as the former is studying at the Vatican.
Fr. Camargo is said to be studying at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, an institution that prepares priests for diplomatic service in the Holy See, Uy said in his post.
The bishop said people studying in the said institution are being prepared for possible roles in different papal nunciature including the possibility to become papal nuncios in the future.
The Vatican. aside from being the world headquarters of the biggest Christian denomination. is also a city-stare and acknowledged as the smallest country in the world.
Fr. Camargo lists Calape, Bohol as his hometown and he is acknowledged as part of the diocese of Tagbilaran by Bishop Uy.
As a sovereign country, the Holy See also sends diplomats to different countries called the papal nuncio and to embassies called the papal nunciatures. The Holy See trains young people to become diplomats representing the Vatican city-state and among those given the chance to have a career in the Vatican diplomatic service is a Boholano priest.
According to his Facebook profile, Fr. Camargo studied at the University of Santo Tomas and currently, he is studying international law and diplomacy in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He also studied Canon Law and had a stint in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in barangay Taloto.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope who hails from the south side of Chicago, Illinois, is now entering the third month of his papacy as he succeeded Pope Francis who died on Easter Monday.
Antequera man arrested for alleged drug trade in Maribojoc
A man from Antequera was arrested on Monday for alleged illegal drug trade following a buy bust operation in Maribojoc town.
The Maribojoc drug enforcement team conducted the sting operation as they detected the suspect to be engaging in alleged illegal drug trade.
The suspect was identified as Jerome Cagol, 35, of barangay Can-omay, Antequera and he was arrested in an operation in barangay Anislag, Maribojoc.
The team members were led by Capt. Alfredo Liguayan Jr. and they conducted the sting operation against the suspect as witnessed by barangay officials and a member of the Bohol media.
The suspect was arrested as he transacted with a poseur buyer and once the transaction was completed the suspect was taken into custody.
Seized trom the possession of the suspect were two more packets of alleged shabu. The total weight of the alleged shabu seized from the suspect is estimated at 0.23 grams and valued P1,564.
Charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 await the suspect.
Man arrested for pointing gun at neighbor in Ubay
A man was arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at his neighbor in barangay Tapal, Ubay. As he was being arrested, alleged shabu was taken from the suspect on Monday.
Police responded to a report from barangay officials of a commotion caused by a man who allegedly pointed a firearm at his neighbor.
The suspect was identified as Daniel Bullonas III, 40, of barangay Tapal. He was also identified as a newly identified street-level individual.
The police searched the person and seized a caliber .45 pistol with seven rounds of live ammunition.
Also seized from the suspect was alleged shabu estimated to weigh 4.5 grams and valued at P30,000. The alleged shabu was found inside the suspect’s sling bag.
Charges of grave threat, illegal possession of firearms, and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 await the suspect.
BOHECO I inaugurates new Tubigon substation
Bohol I Electric Cooperative (BOHECO 1) inaugurated on June 11, 2025 its new 15 megavolt ampere (MVA) substation in Tubigon town.
The said substation is located in barangay Cabulihan where the company strategically upgraded and transferred the substation formerly in barangay Macaas with a capacity of five MVA.
The new facility provides triple capacity as compared to the old one, reports say.
The new facility is a testament to the commitment of BOHECO 1 to improve service and to modernize equipment.
The new substation is not only a facility but a product of collective investment of the members of the cooperative and the loyalty of the member-consumer-owners (MCO), BOHECO 1 general manager Dino Nicolas Roxas said.
The said facility was funded by the MCO reinvestment fund for sustainable capital expenditures which is a contribution that is part of the monthly payments of consumers.
The fund sourcing is regulated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
BOHECO 1 operates 10 substations with a total capacity of 120 MVA and placed under an advanced supervisory control and date acquisition system.
The substations together with other facilities are owned by the MCOs , which has made BOHECO 1 a true cooperative that is serving the community.
In the pipeline in the next few years are four more substations to be placed in Calape, Dimiao, Dauis and Corella with a combined capacity of 55 MVA.
BOHECO 1 is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative serving 26 Bohol towns by providing reliable power to these communities.
Delivery guy dies in Catigbian accident
A delivery guy riding a motorcycle died in an accident in Catigbian town after he collided with a parked tricycle he was trailing on June 15, 2025.
The driver of a parcel delivery service was identified as Robert Rey Lacea Lumanid, 30, from Catigbian.
It was learned that the victim was on board his motorcycle as he was about to retrieve some of the parcels that he qas supposed to deliver.
He went to Tubigon to get the parcels and upon reaching barangay. Candumayao, the victim collided with a parked tricycle, which offloaded some passengers.
The victim possibly was unable to notice the tricycle as it stopped, which may be the reason why there was a collision.
The victim was rescued by first responders. and was brought to a nearby hospital but eventually expired due to severe injuries incurred.
Motorcyclist hurt in Corella
A motorcyclist was injured after colliding with a parked multicab in Corella town on Monday, reports say.
The victim was identified as Mark Joseph Daruca, 33, of barangay Boctol, Balilihan.
It was learned that Daruca was on board his motorcycle travelling from barangay Dao, Tagbilaran City and was about to head home.
However, he met an accident in barangay Sambog, Corella as he overtook the vehicle in front of him but he miscalculated the maneuver and lost control and collided with a parked multicab.
Allegedly, the victim was under the influence of liquor at the time of the accident.
Due to the accident, the victim sustained injuries and was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Prov. budget season opens
The Provincial Budget and Management Office (PBMO) has opened the 2026 budget season as it announced that it has started the budget preparation cycle.
This was disclosed on Monday by provincial budget officer Peter Ross Retutal during the Monday flag ceremony at the Capitol.
Retutal said the budget preparations for 2026 officially started on Monday as Gov. Aris Aumentado is expected to make a budget call anytime soon.
The preparation forms the guidelines and priorities for the preparation of the proposed annual budget of the province that will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
The SP will then conduct marathon hearings to approve the budget submitted by the executive department and the budget is expected to be approved before the end of the year.
Since May, the budget office has been working hard to prepare for the budget season and also asked the SP to approve supplemental budget measures worth more than P212 million, which will fund additional priority programs, projects and activities of the Provincial Government.
Capitol hands aid to affected whale shark workers
The Provincial Government handed financial aid to the affected whale shark workers during an event at the Capitol on June 16, 2025.
Gov. Aris Aumentado led the handing of aid to the affected workers who used to work in the whale shark watching activities in Dauis, Lila and Albur, where a total of P5,320,000 in financial aid was distributed to the beneficiaries.
The fund is from the Provincial Government coursed through the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD).
For Albur, about 139 workers received aid with each receiving P10,000; for Dauis, there were 142 beneficiaries; and for Lila there were 251 beneficiaries.
The governor said he is not against the whale shark watching activities as these are great ways to attract tourists. However, the problem lies in the whale shark feeding as this is illegal and may disrupt the ecological balance.
He said he is open to lifting the ban on whale shark watching if the operators are able to comply with the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the allowed activities related to whale shark watching activities.
The Capitol also asked the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to hand aid to the affected workers of the whale shark watching activity by way of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).
To recall, in April, DOLE communicated with the Capitol in the distribution of aid via the TUPAD where the whale watching workers were identified as beneficiaries based on the suggestion of the governor.
To recall, Aumentado issued an executive order banning whale shark watching activities in Bohol following complaints that such activity causes foul odor and ecological issues due to whale shark feeding activities. An ordinance has outlawed this feeding practice and thus pulled the plug on the tourism activities found in three towns in Bohol.
OWWA-7 continues to monitor Boholano OFW in Middle East
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-7 is continuously monitoring the situation of Boholano overseas Filipino workers (OFW) as conflict remains in the Middle East.
This comes as Israel and Iran are now engaged in a conflict and has affected Filipinos in the Middle East.
OWWA said that the office is coordinating constantly with overseas posts in Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, even if there are no OWWA offices in Iran and as such, it is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and embassies, according to a report quoting Ma. Cristina Marie Vistal of OWWA-7.
The report also said the said office has not yet received any request for assistance coming from Boholano OFWs.
The office received request for assistance coming from an OFW from Cebu and another from Siquijor and both were stranded inside Iran.
Vistal advices families of OFW to coordinate with the local OWWA office for any assistance to affected OFW in the Middle East.
There is an OWWA satellite office located at the old Capitol in Tagbilaran City and such request will be forwarded to the regional office then to OWWA offices in the Middle East like the one in Israel, to capture data, coordinate with the OFW and arrange the processing of exit and to arrange a chartered flight.
DMW said 85 OFW asked to be repatriated before the conflict began between Israel and Iran as some want to go home as soon the conflict escalated.
The OWWA said that those who want to be repatriated to coordinate with the Philippine embassy in Israel by emailing copies of passport, visa and provide their contact number in order to allow seamless coordination with OWWA and DMW workers in Israel so they can be repatriated.
Vistal said as Israel closed its airspace, the Philippine government is looking at several options to allow the safe return of OFW stuck within the conflict.
It possible that OFWs may be brought to Jordan, Lebanon and other third countries for safe flight home as DMW also offers financial support and temporary abode for affected Filipino workers.
Wanted person in Tagb nabbed in CdO
A wanted person accused of rape in Tagbilaran was arrested in Cagayan de Oro, according to reports on Wednesday.
He was listed among the most wanted persons in Central Visayas
The suspect was identified as Orville Urgello, 67, of barangay Poblacion, Manticao, Misamis Oriental.
He was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Leo Moises Lison of Regional Trial Court branch 3 in Tagbilaran City.
The police from Tagbilaran sent a tracker team and arrested the suspect in barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro.
Urgello faces rape and lascivious conduct under Republic Act No. 7610 and the bail was set at P200,000 for his provisional liberty for the lascivious conduct charge as there is no bail set for rape charges.
BFP-Bohol finds new home in Cortes
The provincial office of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) finds a new home in an area in barangay Malayo Sur, Cortes.
The new office is near the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Multi-Specialty Medical Center in the same town.
The BFP was temporarily holding office at the old airport which is now being used as a quarantine facility for those infected with mpox.
Provincial Fire Marshall, Supt. Raul Bustaliño said they transferred to the new office on Monday where they also conducted their first flag raising ceremony in the said location.
The office will be formally inaugurated in the first week of July as the office sits on the lot owned by the Provincial Government of Bohol by way of a usufruct deal to run for 40 years.
The P30 million budget for the building was sourced from the funds facilitated by former Sen. Sonny Angara. The budget was used to build the three storey building sitting on a lot in Cortes.
Bustaliño is thankful for the help coming from the Capitol and Angara who is now the Education Secretary, for helping in the realization of the new office building.
CPCF pushes for vigilance vs. mpox
The City Primary Care Facility (CPCF) pushes for vigilance against mpox despite the fact that three of the four suspected cases are deemed to be negative.
CPCF spokesman Robin Culpa said that there is a need to be on guard always for mpox even there is no confirmed case in Tagbilaran City.
He said people should follow the protocol in order to avoid viral infections such as mpox.
Moreover, the former suspected mpox case patients who were isolated were released from isolation and sent home as they already recovered from the symptoms.
Culpa said, as of press time, the CPCF await the result of the fourth sample sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) anytime soon as the sample was taken on June 3, 2025 and it is expected the result will come out anytime.
Meanwhile, Culpa represented the city to the Cebu City activity with City Health Officer Jeia Pondoc on June 17, 2025.
PPCC convenes to check price levels
The Provincial Price Coordinating Council (PPCC) convened on Tuesday to review the current commodity price levels in Bohol at the same time to discuss the supply of prime commodities.
The meeting was held In Tagbilaran and it was led by Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte with representatives from the national agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),and Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
The DA presented an update on prices of meat products in Bohol as pork prices are varied depending on the kind as there are premium cuts that command higher prices.
Dao public market showed stable meat prices compared to other commercial establishments.
Also discussed was the increase in the prices of chicken eggs, which was based on size.
Overall, meat prices remained stable with slight fluctuations depending on the retail outlet.
One concern during the meeting was the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Bohol and as of June 15, 2025, there are active cases in 15 towns and 44 barangays in Bohol.
The affected towns are Ubay, Talibon, Catigbian, Getafe, Tubigon, Buenavista, Sikatuna, Baclayon, Loon, Balilihan. Calape, Corella, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Clarin and Tagbilaran City.
The group stressed the need to boost biosecurity and coordination to prevent the spread of ASF to other towns.
Comelec orders clearing of yellow ballot boxes
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) ordered the treasurers of local government units (LGU) to clear the yellow ballot boxes used in the last barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in 2023.
Comelec explained that the clearing of the ballot boxes is part of the BSKE this December.
The Comelec is continuing with its preparation of the BSKE as there has been no word about the postponement of the polls.
The treasurers of the LGUs asked the chairperson of political parties in each town, punong barangay, chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to witness the opening of the ballot boxes as each town will have its own schedules. In Baclayon, the event will take place in the afternoon of June 25, 2025 .
The opening of ballot boxes is based on Comelec minute resolution no. 25-0314 promulgated on March 31, 2025.
As of this time the Comelec is not letting up with its preparation of the BSKE and set the registration this July 1 to 11, 2025 and the elections will happen on December 1, 2025 unless a law will be enacted setting the term length and limits and set the new date for the elections for BSK.