Youth leader emphasizes purposeful technology use
A youth leader spoke about the current state of technology in the country and using it with purpose.
Alfredo Panaginip, a licensed professional teacher connected with the University of Bohol, spoke with Carl Hinlo of Kabataan for Change on Jan. 16, 2026.
He said that the world has become smaller, and influencing a lot of people is just a click away, enabling discussions to start.
Hinlo said the youth of today have become “babies of technology” or digital natives.
He asked if the youth can use technology the right way or if it’s being used just for entertainment, and if these technologies are being used as instruments for leadership.
Hinlo said youth leadership in the time of social media is not just about likes and followers, but spreading influence with purpose by using voices to make the truth known in the midst of fake news and cancel culture.
Panaginip shared his experiences in youth leadership in the time of social media.
Panaginip was a keynote speaker discussing the topic of youth in digital media.
Youth leaders are different from traditional leaders now that young leaders are influenced by the digital age.
Current leaders can influence others via digital media, making them different from traditional leaders.
Social media has a huge impact on a youth leader as it’s easy to expose one’s public image.
Those engaging in social media must adhere to constructive criticisms.
Social media is important in spreading useful information, he said.
Leadership is not based on followers, and one should keep some mystery and not divulge everything on social media.
Social media is a platform to provide insights on what the youth should be doing by exposing the right kind of activities with the goal of inspiring others.
Unified front key to development, says Mayor Oliva
Catigbian Mayor Benjie Oliva emphasized the importance of unity in governance, stating that every sector of society should come together, including local officials and the management committee.
He believes that unity is crucial for development, likening it to an orchestra working in harmony under a conductor, in this case, the mayor.
Oliva makes it a point to bring councilors, regardless of political affiliation, when visiting government agencies, ensuring all officials are aware of the town government’s plans and initiatives.
He wants all sectors to be part of the governance structure, discouraging focus on political divisions.
Oliva acknowledged that water supply is a challenge in his town, but his administration is working to solve the problem, with a master plan already in place.
The waterworks coverage is far from ideal, with variations in elevation and insufficient reservoir capacity, but the local government is taking steps to address the situation.
Oliva stressed the importance of leaders touching base with constituents, stepping out of their comfort zones to grasp community problems.
Catigbian Mayor Benjie Oliva announced EDUCATION initiatives
He plans to provide PE uniforms to all public school learners, especially those in the kindergarten and elementary levels in the town of Catigbian.
There is also a supplemental feeding program for kinder and Grade 1 learners.
The mayor has requested the regional Department of Health to send a visiting dentist to check the dental health of learners and provide them with proper dental hygiene education.
A program related to nutrition and nutrition education is also in place, focusing on food readily available in Catigbian.
Oliva has submitted a list of needs for local schools to the Department of Education-Bohol, including requests for more classrooms and repairs to damaged ones.
He has also offered to help with plans to add more divisions in Bohol and has committed to working with Sen. Bam Aquino, who chairs the Basic Education Committee at the Senate.
There are plans to elect members to the board of the Catigbian College of Science and Technology, which is still in the preparatory stage.
The Commission on Higher Education will not automatically provide subsidies for community colleges, so the local government will cover operational costs for at least the next two years.
Professors from the University of the Philippines recently visited Catigbian to conduct a study on national tax allocation and how local governments can increase their share.
Lawmakers’ control over budget sparks concerns on corruption
US-based Boholano lawyer Glen Hubahib said lawmakers controlling the budget and projects spells bad news.
Hubahib expressed his thoughts during an Open Forum program on Jan. 12, 2026.
He said it is not good when lawmakers are the ones controlling who will get projects and they are the ones pulling the purse strings.
Hubahib said that lawmakers became less occupied with lawmaking and focused on projects, thus there is an opportunity to hear allegations of corruption.
Politics disables those who are not within their circles, as those who are dominant tend to share projects with their colleagues and very little is left to those on the other side of the political fence.
Hubahib mentioned how the Philippines had a bicameral legislature, then moved to a parliamentary system, and then moved back to a bicameral system.
He said even before martial law, pork barrel allocations existed, but he said the pork barrel then was smaller compared to today.
Now, lawmakers are dividing projects among themselves, he said.
During the parliamentary phase of the country, the course was controlled by one person, and the pork barrel was not that evident.
He said large-scale pork barrel may have started during the Macapagal-Arroyo regime, where possible pork barrel was dangled to maintain support for her administration, which was on the rocks at that time.
The pork barrel lay low during President Noynoy Aquino’s time and even during President Duterte’s time.
Even so, there were still allegations of corruption during these times, as people find ways to create anomalies.
The corruption anomalies rose to new heights during the current administration, he said.
It has been unearthed that corruption has reached trillions of pesos, he quipped.
He said the Philippines’ problem is uncontrolled corruption.
He said corruption started small until it snowballed, and these pork barrel may have started during President Macapagal-Arroyo’s time, per his observation.
He said the budget was used to get the sympathies of lawmakers, like what happened when Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached, as allegedly lawmakers were promised something in exchange for support for the impeachment, and the consideration came from the budget itself.
Woman rescued after attempting to jump off Cogon Market rooftop
A woman ended up safe after allegedly attempting to jump off the top of Cogon Market on Jan. 12, 2026.
According to the Tagbilaran City Fire Station, it received an alarm late Monday afternoon and responded to the alarm.
As responders arrived at the scene, a civilian had already managed to save the 27-year-old woman.
The woman was assisted by responders and brought to the women’s and children’s protection desk at the Tagbilaran City Police Station.
Authorities are investigating why the woman attempted to jump off the top of Cogon Market.
Observers say it’s crucial to check the mental health state of the person, as it may help determine the reason behind the attempt.
This incident highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the quick actions of individuals who prevented potential harm.
Panglao LGU ramps up animal control ahead of ASEAN summit
The local government unit (LGU) of Panglao is implementing control measures against stray animals ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit meetings in Bohol.
Panglao is at the center of the activities of ASEAN summit meetings in Bohol.
The meetings will start on Jan. 19, 2026, until the final part of this month.
Panglao representatives mentioned in a meeting at the Capitol held in relation to the meetings that animal control was done as part of the preparation of the said town in receiving both foreign and domestic visitors.
The Panglao agriculture office cautioned households with pets to be responsible owners.
The move is welcomed as it reduces risks and improves the town’s appearance.
Teenager nabbed in Loboc buy-bust operation
Elements of the Loboc drug enforcement team arrested a 16-year-old lad on Jan. 13, 2026.
Authorities seized packets of alleged shabu.
Other buy-bust operations were conducted in Dagohoy and Loay.
Suspects face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Senior citizen attacked by neighbor’s German shepherds in Albur
A senior citizen landed in the hospital after having been bitten by large dogs in Albur on Jan 12, 2026.
The senior citizen sustained severe wounds as a result of the animal bites.
The victim, identified as Zosima Jumawan, 90, of West Poblacion, was at an area near the house of a neighbor who is a foreigner and was clearing some grass.
She was unable to notice the large dogs that managed to break through using a gaping hole at the fence where the dogs were kept.
The victim was bitten by German Shepherds.
The victim sustained severe wounds on her right foot, leg, and thigh, as well as wounds on her right hand.
The victim is now in stable condition.
Animal bites are an issue in Bohol.
The unusual thing in this situation is that the dogs are not stray.
Normally, stray dogs have been reported to have bitten humans and spread rabies.
SP lauds Bohol police for seizure of nearly P70M worth of alleged shabu
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) lauded the Bohol police on January 13, 2026, for their successful seizure of nearly P70 million worth of alleged shabu in Tagbilaran City.
In a resolution, Board Member Nathaniel Binlod commended the resilience, bravery, and dedication of Bohol police in implementing laws against illegal drugs.
The Bohol police managed to seize more than 10 kilos of alleged shabu from two high-value targets.
Allegedly, the shabu was sourced from Luzon, then landed in Dumaguete, and then in Cebu, and finally into Bohol via banca.
The suspects, Felix Gallogo and Leonnie Lambuson, were arrested following a buy-bust operation on January 6, 2026, at Barangay Dampas.
The arrest has been hailed as a huge help in keeping the people safe, especially the youth, who usually become victims of 8illegal drug use.
The SP hopes the commendation will encourage the police to continue their genuine service and keep Bohol safe and peaceful.
Meanwhile, the city council also commended the police for their effort to seize a huge stash of alleged shabu.
The said council also issued a resolution authored by Councilor Fausto Budlong, as the council lauded the Bohol police led by Col. Patricio Degay Jr.
Also lauded were Provincial Intelligence Unit chief Lt. Col. Jomar Pomarejos, and Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober, chief of the Tagbilaran City Police Station, as they thanked the city council for the commendation.
Man dies after falling from PUJ
A man died after falling from a public utility jeepney (PUJ) he was riding while traveling on CPG North Avenue on January 13, 2026.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but unfortunately, he lost his life.
The victim was identified as Jimboy Iwayan of Barangay Loreto, Cortes.
He had just delivered materials in Barangay Booy and was heading home when he fell from the PUJ near Citi Hardware.
According to reports, the conductor told him to get inside the PUJ and take a seat, but he was hanging on the rails of the PUJ and suddenly fell off.
He suffered severe head trauma, which caused his death.
He lived for a few hours after the accident and died Tuesday evening.
Riding on the guard rails outside the vehicle is being discouraged as it poses a risk to passengers.
Drivers and conductors are advising people to follow safety instructions when riding PUJs.
Loose firearm seized in Talibon raid, drug bust in Duero
A loose firearm was seized following a raid in a home in Barangay Zamora, Talibon, on Jan. 13, 2026.
A caliber .38 revolver was taken during the raid, along with four rounds of live ammunition.
The suspect is a 25-year-old male residing in the said area.
Police said the suspect was unable to show the necessary licenses to own or possess the said firearm.
The raid was made possible via a search warrant, and the suspect now faces charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Meanwhile, a drug suspect in Duero was arrested following a buy-bust operation by the municipal drug enforcement team in Barangay Itum.
The suspect is known as alias Ado, of Barangay Abihilan.
Packets of alleged shabu weighing approximately 6.1 grams and worth P41,000 were taken from him.
Charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 await the suspect.
Bohol police intensify security in Panglao ahead of ASEAN summit
The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has intensified its security measures in Panglao ahead of the summit meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The measures are in place to ensure the safety of the delegates and other visitors of the ASEAN.
BPPO provincial director Col. Patricio Degay Jr. led the inspection of security measures on Jan. 13, 2026, at meeting halls, resorts, and venue perimeter with Brig. Gen. Winston Lopez, director for intelligence of the Philippine National Police.
They inspected the entry and exit points, emergency routes, and strategic perimeters to avoid possible threats or to lower security risks.
There is a multi-layer access control, surveillance monitoring, and coordination with all agencies as simulation exercises continue across the province to ensure zero-incident summit here.
Degay said safety and security of the public is the priority of the BPPO.
Meanwhile, a send-off ceremony was held on Jan. 14, 2026, participated in by security personnel as well as emergency personnel for ASEAN summit meetings at the Panglao Municipal Plaza, according to the BPPO.
Organizing committee members and high-ranking government officials attended the event.
The deployment is the final operational phase in the security, peace and order preparedness and response cluster that is responsible for safety and security of the delegates.
Bohol police seize P124K worth of alleged shabu in 2-day operation
The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) seized P124,000 worth of alleged shabu from January 12 to 13, 2026, through various operations across Bohol.
Bohol police managed to arrest several drug suspects, leading to the confiscation of 18.34 grams of alleged shabu.
In Talibon, a certain alias Gary, from Barangay San Francisco, was arrested.
Packets of alleged shabu weighing 1.85 grams were taken from him.
In Duero, alias Adrian M of Barangay Abihilan, Candijay, was also arrested.
He was found with 6.1 grams of alleged shabu.
In Candijay, alias Justin was arrested and found with 3.69 grams of alleged shabu.
A minor was arrested in Loboc, Barangay Poblacion Ondol, with 3.8 grams of alleged shabu seized.
In Loay, 3.62 grams of shabu were taken from alias Johnny.
All evidence was submitted to the Bohol Forensic Unit for examination and custody.
The suspects now face charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Would you like more details on the arrests or the operations?
Bohol Provincial Board visits GCGMSMC to assess healthcare services
Provincial Board Members (BM) visited the Gov. Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center (GCGMSMC) as part of their support.
The visit happened on Jan. 13, 2026, at the GCGMSMC located at Malayo Sur, Cortes.
This visit is part of the provincial oversight and support since the facility has been providing healthcare services to Boholanos.
The members of the Provincial Board inspected the facilities, programs, and services of the healthcare campus, which has made significant contributions to public health delivery in Bohol.
The main goal of the visit is to ensure that the medical facilities are aligned with guidelines and are able to respond to the increasing needs of Boholanos.
The board members also assessed the initiatives of the facility that are geared towards providing more inclusive, efficient, and effective healthcare to the community.
The board members expressed their support for healthcare institutions that cooperate with local government units to boost the medical services sector in Bohol.
The GCGMSMC is built on a lot that was donated by the Provincial Government of Bohol during the time of former Gov. Edgar Chatto.
During his time in Congress, Chatto also authored the law creating the GCGMSMC and paved the way for the creation of similar multi-specialty hospitals in other regions of the country.
Antequera invites songwriters to Basket Festival jingle competition
Calling all songwriters from Antequera and beyond.
This is your chance to become part of Antequera’s history.
Rules and Regulations:
The competition is open to all Filipino songwriters, local or elsewhere in the country or abroad.
Entries should be upbeat, and the jingle lyrics and music content should be consistent with the spirit of the Basket Festival and the soul of Antequera.
The winning entry will become the official jingle of Antequera’s Basket Festival.
Lyrics must be in Cebuano or Bisaya.
A jingle entry must not exceed four (4) minutes inclusive of the intro and outro.
A composer may submit a maximum of two entries however, only one jingle can become a finalist.
Entries must not have been uploaded on the internet or recorded on video.
Entries are to be submitted online thru antequerabasketfestival@gmail.com with the following attachments: Entry form ((link unavailable)); Lyrics (in Word format); MP3 file of the song entry; Subject: BF Jingle Entry – Title.
Only those names appearing on the entry forms shall be recognized as the official authors of the song entries.
Contestants declare that entry does not infringe any 3rd party’s copyright.
Any situation that may arise on copyright infringement will be on the accountability of the participant.
Finalists must abide by the guidelines and conditions set by the contest organizers.
LGU Antequera reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not conform to the stated rules and regulations.
Deadline for submission of entries/demo trax is on January 23, 2026.
The screening committee will select 8 finalists for the competition.
Finalists will be informed via text and via FB posting (Among Ihalad O Antequera & LGU Antequera Programs and Activities).
Finalists will be required to submit the final version of their entry on or before February 27, 2026.
Live presentation and judging will happen on March 12, 2026.
Final entries will be considered as property of LGU Antequera, which shall have exclusive rights to the songs.
The decision of the board of judges is final and irrevocable.
For questions and/or clarifications, please contact the committee at 09948068615 or thru antequerabasketfestival@gmail.com.
Bohol Light provides connections to informal settlers
Bohol Light has started implementing a program to connect electricity to informal settlers and provide them with legal electricity connections.
Sheryl Paga, spokesperson for Bohol Light, said the program was launched early this month, with a section of Barangay San Isidro being the first to be energized.
About 300 applicants are currently on hand, with 282 set for inspection, while the rest await installation.
Paga praised the applicants’ cooperation, thanks to their respective associations.
Bohol Light aims to provide legal electrical connections to around 1,000 informal settlers within three months.
The new connections are separate from regular electrical connection applications.
Roel Castro, President and CEO of Bohol Light, emphasized that safety is the primary reason for securing proper connections, citing risks of fires and accidents from illegal connections.
Bohol Light and the local government hope the program promotes safety, discipline, and improves the quality of life for informal settlers.
Bohol Light serves Tagbilaran City and is a joint venture between Primelectric Holdings Inc. and the Provincial Government of Bohol.
Bohol Light initiates spaghetti wire removal at Plaza Rizal
Bohol Light has started its project to clear spaghetti wires, beginning with the clearance at Plaza Rizal in downtown Tagbilaran City.
Spaghetti wires refer to tangled, disorganized, and often excessive bundles of overhead electrical and telecommunication cables hanging from utility poles, creating a messy situation that could pose a fire risk, make troubleshooting difficult, or block views.
The utility company cleared the spaghetti wires at the Plaza Rizal area on Jan. 13, 2026, said Bohol Light’s chief operating officer Raul Galano.
The project was made possible with the help of the local government unit of Tagbilaran and various TELCO companies.
The wires were removed, making the area more visually appealing.
The telco wires are being turned over to their respective owners.
He added that the posts owned by Bohol Light at Plaza Rizal are being removed due to the rerouting of electrical wires.
Soon, it is expected that no more dangling wires will be seen around Plaza Rizal.
The initiative is part of Bohol Light’s efforts and the city government’s initiative to remove spaghetti wires and clear blockages in public places in the city.
Primelectric unveils ambitious plans for Bohol Light expansion
Primelectric Holdings Inc. (PHI), the majority owner of Bohol Light, has launched bigger and bolder plans for the distribution utility.
Sheryl Paga shared the plans during a press conference held at the Bohol Tropics on Jan. 12, 2026.
President and chief executive officer Ruel Castro, along with chief operating officer Raul Galano, mentioned that the consumer count has increased to over 24,000.
Bohol Light managed to increase its consumer base through various initiatives, such as proactive visits to barangays for information and education campaigns, faster and more efficient inspections, better coordination with the Office of the Building Official (OBO) for securing certificates of final electrical inspections or applications, and a reduction in the number of requirements needed to facilitate new connections.
Bohol Light has also expanded its payment network, reducing hassle and lines for consumers wishing to settle their bills.
Paga mentioned the new 69-kilovolt transmission line from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ Corella substation to Bohol Light’s San Isidro substation.
There are plans to increase the number of distribution feeders, especially at Dampas and Poblacion substations, and install vital equipment, a meter lab, and testing facility.
Bohol Light also plans to upgrade lines from Cabawan to San Isidro from single-phase to three-phase using three-wire.
Paga said the updates aim to widen and make it easier to access electric supply, making Bohol Light more efficient and customer-friendly for Tagbilaran residents.
The company is thankful that in the one year of Primelectric’s operation of Bohol Light, the increase in consumers reached 246 percent compared to 2024.
The goal is to energize all households in Tagbilaran City, as mandated by the Department of Energy.
Bohol Light is at around 80 percent electrification, leaving plenty of room to grow its consumer base.
The goal is to help the informal sector get proper electricity connections.
Over P4M in alleged shabu seized in Tiptip buy-bust operation
Over P4 million in alleged shabu were seized following a buy-bust operation in barangay Tiptip on Jan. 14, 2026, conducted by elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The suspect was identified as Eduardo Sunoc, 48, alias Onsoy, of Poblacion, Cortes, and residing at Tiptip.
The operation was witnessed by barangay officials and the media.
The suspect was arrested after engaging with a poseur buyer.
The poseur buyer bought alleged shabu from the suspect.
Taken from the suspect were packets of alleged shabu weighing 615 grams and valued at P4,182,000.
The suspect is taken into custody and charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are going to be filed shortly.
Bohol gears up for ASEAN summit with massive security deployment
Almost 2,000 personnel from the police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are detailed in Bohol for the summit meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) starting on Jan. 19, 2026.
There are personnel also coming from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Unit, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, among others.
They are tasked to protect and guard the visitors and tourists coming into Bohol for the ASEAN activities.
The activities will end by Jan. 30, 2026.
Col. Patricio Degay, Jr. said that Bohol police ensure tight security as they expand the intelligence network, and other activities are delayed to protect and secure the delegates.
He vowed to provide the best service for the delegates as Bohol hosts ASEAN summit meetings.
He also thanked the force multipliers for their help in keeping the peace.
He urged everyone to take care so we can help provide the guests the best experience they had in visiting the Philippines.
Degay hopes that the activities will have zero incidents as important assets are already deployed to support round-the-clock monitoring.
Among the assets deployed are fire trucks, armored vehicles, fast sea crafts, ambulances, and logistical transport units, among others.
A send-off ceremony was held on Jan. 14, 2026, attended by top officials in the region and the province held in Panglao.
CPCF to resume monthly Mobile Clinic for seniors in February 2026
Robin Culpa, the spokesman of the City Primary Care Facility (CPCF), said that the monthly mobile clinic for seniors will soon resume.
He mentioned this during his appearance on Newsmakers ug Uban Pa on Jan. 15, 2026.
This means that a mobile clinic will be visiting all 15 barangays of the city, and it will resume by February 2026.
The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs will be providing the schedule, as the clinic will happen at the most convenient time for the senior citizens.
The clinic will also feature the release of maintenance medicines, especially for chronic diseases.
The CPCF also provides basic laboratory tests based on a doctor’s advice, Culpa said.
The cardiac panel provided is affordable compared to private labs, he said.
There is regular calibration done for the lab equipment, he said, for accuracy, and this means there are times that lab tests may not be available, especially for the cardiac panel
Overall transmission rates down for January 2026 consumers’ electric bills
Power consumers can expect a decrease in transmission rates in their January 2026 electric bills.
The overall average transmission rate for the December 2025 billing period, in PhP/kWh equivalent, charged this month, declined by 0.68% to Php1.3455/kWh from Php1.3547/kWh.
Ancillary Services (AS) rate is at Php0.5971/kWh. AS charges pertain to the cost of services sourced from the AS Reserve Market and from providers with bilateral contracts with NGCP.
Meanwhile, NGCP’s transmission wheeling rate, or the fee for delivering electricity through its grid, is at Php0.6058/kWh.
“For the January 2026 electric bill of end consumers, NGCP charges only 60 centavos per kWh for the delivery of its services,” NGCP said, adding that its revenues are revenue-capped and regulated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
The transmission rate for the December billing period is billed to end-users through distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.
PARCCOM Bohol holds polls for sectoral reps
The Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) in Bohol held its elections on Jan. 6, 2026 as the event was a way to choose the sectoral representatives that will take sears in the said council.
The PARCCOM is the one that oversees the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP), activities across the province to ensure land distribution and support services reach beneficiaries.
The PARCCOM is created via Republic Act No. 6657, as the PARCCOM is also tasked to forge policies in relation to the CARP implementation in each province.
The new members of the PARCCOM
took their oaths before Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial director Ronald Pumatong.
The PARCCOM also serves as a way to formulate inter-agency work programming.
It includes representatives from various sectors, ensuring that farmers, landowners, and indigenous groups have a voice in decision-making.
On January 6, 2026, PARCCOM elected new sectoral representatives for a six-year term to represent farmer organizations, cooperatives, NGOs, landowners and cultura minorities.
It frequently holds joint meetings with the Provincial CARP Implementing Team (PCIT) to align work between agencies.
Tropical Depression Ada intensifies, threatens Southern Philippines
Tropical depression Ada has intensified and threatened the southern part of the Philippines.
Ada is the first weather disturbance to impact the country and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) units have been mobilized.
The Philippine Coast Guard of Eastern Bohol suspended sailing of seacraft, especially those moving towards affected areas, as the suspension is based on the state weather bureau’s weather bulletin.
This step is taken as a safety measure as it is expected that the waves are going to be huge.
The Coast Guard said it is important to protect the life and property of passengers, crew, and mariners that might be affected by the weather disturbance.
The public is asked to update themselves with official information from the state weather bureau and the Coast Guard and to postpone any sea trip while there is a weather disturbance.