Kabataan for Change (KFC) pays tribute to teachers for their lasting impact on students
The Kabataan for Change (KFC) has honored the invaluable contributions of teachers for making a profound difference in the life of every student.
Carl Hinlo of KFC paid a heartfelt tribute to the teachers who have selflessly sacrificed their time and effort to teach and guide learners.
Hinlo pointed out that a teacher can only be considered truly successful if the learner has become a responsible person who has absorbed the lessons well.
He emphasized that the true measure of a good teacher is not seen merely through the delivery of lessons, but through how teachers have genuinely transformed lives.
Last October 5, 2026, the world celebrated Teachers’ Day, a meaningful occasion that was dedicated to teachers who have mentored learners into becoming responsible individuals.
In Tagbilaran City, however, the celebration of Teachers’ Day was marred by a bomb threat directed at the big schools in the city, as posted on social media.
Authorities later confirmed that no bomb was found and that the culprit behind the false alarm has already been identified.
Nevertheless, the bomb threat caused considerable anxiety to everyone and unfortunately destroyed the mood to celebrate the remarkable achievements of teachers.
Dengue situation remains manageable in Tagbilaran, says Culpa
City Primary Care Facility (CPCF) spokesperson Robin Culpa pointed out that the dengue problem in Tagbilaran remains manageable.
This was his assessment based on the available data when he was asked by Gloria Araneta over Open Forum on October 9, 2026.
Culpa mentioned that there were over 200 dengue cases recorded in the city this year, with only one fatality reported, while all other cases have already recovered.
He added that the person who died from dengue was in his 30s, which clearly shows that the disease can affect not only children but also adults.
Culpa suggested that anyone experiencing persistent fever should immediately consult a doctor in order to be properly tested for dengue.
The spokesperson explained that the doctor will determine whether or not the patient needs to be admitted, since there are cases of dengue that can be effectively managed while at home.
Moreover, he emphasized that it is important for people to clean their surroundings to prevent mosquitoes from spreading the disease.
It is the responsibility of every household owner to clean his or her own home, said Culpa.
Meanwhile, the CPCF conducted several activities such as Family Health Day and the Barangay Health Worker Summit.
These activities are geared towards health promotion and to support the various health initiatives being implemented in the city.
Bohol to convert diagnostic center into infirmary to ease hospital crowding
Bohol will convert the Provincial Diagnostic and Ambulatory Care Center into an infirmary hospital to help decongest the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran, Gov. Aris Aumentado said.
Aumentado announced the plan in his State of the Province Address, calling it one of the steps to widen residents’ access to health services.
The province also plans to add beds at the Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Cortes town to serve more patients.
The moves are meant to strengthen the capacity of provincial health facilities to meet residents’ needs, the governor said.
Bohol, airlines discuss more flights, lower travel costs
Bohol officials met with airline and tourism representatives Oct. 5, 2026 to discuss adding flights to Bohol-Panglao International Airport and keeping travel costs manageable.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado led the meeting with Joanne Pinat, head of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office; Lucas Nunag, co-chair of the Provincial Tourism Council; Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay; and chief of staff Filipina Asoy-Piollo.
Representatives of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, One Aviation and the Bohol Alliance of Travel and Tour Operators also attended.
Participants discussed flight schedules, reduced frequencies during lean seasons, passenger demand and airfares.
Cebu Pacific’s plans to increase flights, including a possible restoration of routes, were also raised.
Participants raised concerns over new passenger processing fees tied to the Common Use Passenger Processing System.
The provincial government said it will explore measures to keep travel costs manageable.
Bohol orders daily 4 p.m. mosquito breeding site cleanup amid dengue outbreak
Households, schools and communities in Bohol are being urged to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites every day at 4 p.m. as the province steps up its dengue response.
The Bohol Capitol ordered the measures through Executive Order No. 40, series of 2026, which declared a province-wide dengue outbreak after cases exceeded the epidemic threshold for three consecutive weeks.
The daily “4 o’clock habit” is part of the Department of Health’s enhanced 4S strategy: search and destroy breeding sites, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas.
The order directs local government units to pass ordinances enforcing the strategy, reactivate local dengue task forces and the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue program, and work with stakeholders on the response.
Local governments were also told to have health facilities set up dengue fast lanes and refer patients according to DOH guidelines.
Bohol Light urges households to unplug appliances before rotational brownouts
Bohol Light Company Inc. is advising households to unplug appliances before scheduled power interruptions to prevent damage when electricity returns.
The utility urged residents to disconnect motor-driven appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and electric fans.
A sudden surge of power when electricity is restored could trip a household’s circuit breaker and damage appliances, the company said.
Rotational power interruptions occur when electricity supply on the Visayas grid cannot meet demand.
“The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) directs distribution utilities like BLCI to cut power to areas on a rotating basis, usually for one to two hours at a time,” said Clifford Jay Dela, systems operations supervisor at BLCI.
Clarin town in Bohol shifts to 4-day workweek to cut fuel costs
The municipal government of Clarin has adopted a four-day workweek to conserve energy and reduce fuel and transportation costs amid rising oil prices.
Under Executive Order No. 42, Series of 2026, covered offices will work Monday through Thursday starting Oct. 5. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday will be a non-working day for covered offices and personnel.
The local government said the move aims to cut fuel consumption and transportation-related expenses and make town operations more efficient.
Essential and frontline services will continue so public services are not interrupted, it said.
The local government called the measure a practical way to manage public resources while continuing to serve residents.
Bohol SP backs central bank branch, amends revenue code
The Bohol provincial board has endorsed establishing a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas branch in the province.
In a regular session presided over by Senior Board Member Tita Baja, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a resolution backing a request from the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Board Member Benjie Arcamo, who raised the proposal, said a branch would benefit the banking industry, the economy and businesses.
Board Member Lucille Lagunay cited the Bohol Bankers Association’s concerns over moving cash safely and on time. “A local BSP facility could help reduce the need for frequent inter-island cash shipments and improve the efficiency and security of cash distribution,” she said.
The BSP Monetary Board approved a Bohol branch in 2017, and a groundbreaking followed at a site in Tinago, Dauis. The board also asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Abalos, to support the project.
The board also amended the Bohol Revenue Code to exempt from tax the transfer of real property to local government units for facilities providing basic public services, such as barangay halls, public markets, health centers and solid waste facilities.
In the same session, the board authorized Gov. Aris Aumentado to sign agreements for the Labor Department’s JobStart Philippines Program, the Green Green Green Program with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, and a souvenir development program with Bohol Island State University and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The board also accredited two people’s organizations and passed a resolution expressing condolences on the death of former Third District Board Member Bienvenido Molina Jr.
Sinkhole hits Taguihon road
The road in Taguihon, Baclayon continues to sink due to suspected sinkhole.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1 is currently repairing a portion of the road in Taguihon, Baclayon that gradually collapsed past 4:00 in the early morning, Wednesday, October 7, due to a suspected sinkhole.
According to the Officer-in-charge of DPWH 1, a cave was discovered under the said road that connects to the location of a Day Care Center.
It was learned that this same portion of the road also collapsed during the earthquake in 2013, which is why it was only covered with asphalt at that time.
In a video footage, the large cracks on the said road can be clearly seen.
According to the DPWH, the frequent rains are one of the major factors that contributed to the continuing subsidence of the ground.
Aside from the cracked road, a tree was noticed that is about to fall.
The DPWH has already sent a request to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cut it down due to the risk it poses to motorists, but the agency has not yet given them a permit.
At present, personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) have not yet arrived at the site to conduct an in-depth investigation of the area.
Due to this incident, a detour has been implemented for motorists, especially for those coming from Tagbilaran City who are traveling to the National Highway in Taguihon.
The DPWH 1 has not yet been able to give an exact estimate of when the repair of the said road will be fully completed due to the continuing ground movement.
Panglao businesses appeal against midnight closure
Businesses in Panglao appeal to LGU against ’12 Midnight Closure’.
Businessmen and workers in the town of Panglao released an “open letter” to appeal to Mayor Edgardo “Boy” Arcay and other local officials against the policy that orders the closure of their businesses upon reaching 12 midnight.
The said appeal was made through a letter headlined with the message “WE SURVIVED. NOW LET US RECOVER.” to convey their grievance to the government.
The concerned parties narrated that after enduring hardships for several months such as low income, rising expenses, and uncertainty, they are only now starting to experience recovery due to the arrival of tourists.
They explained that for bars, pubs, musicians, DJs, and other workers in the night life industry, 12 midnight is the prime hour of their livelihood and not the time to end their day.
It was also clarified in the said letter that the businessmen understand the government’s desire for peace and safety, but they urged the LGU to implement proper regulation, noise control, and to penalize only those irresponsible establishments.
They pleaded that the entire tourism industry that sustains Panglao should not be destroyed just because of problems that can be solved through responsible regulation and fair rules.
Mayor Arcay clarifies concerns on midnight closure order
Mayor Arcay of Panglao clarifies concerns about EO No. 44. ’12 Midnight Closure’.
Based on an official statement on October 8, 2026, Municipal Mayor Capt. Edgardo “Boy” F. Arcay of the Municipality of Panglao issued a clarification to address the concerns of the public and business owners regarding Executive Order No. 44, Series of 2026, which sets the operating hours of bars, pubs, nightclubs, and other similar entertainment establishments.
The mayor acknowledged that Panglao is a tourism town where such businesses provide a major livelihood for the local economy, but he reminded everyone to read and understand the entirety of the said order.
He explained that under Section 5 of the said EO, there are “exemptions” or instances exempted from the said rule such as hotels and resorts serving their registered guests, establishments with a valid special permit for particular events, and official government activities.
In addition, the mayor disclosed that under Section 9, there is an allotted time for information dissemination activities as well as sufficient time to comply (compliance period) for businessmen before its full implementation.
He clarified that it is not the intention of the local government to abruptly close or stop businesses without proper information and coordination, and that they will first distribute copies of the said order to the establishments.
Mayor Arcay ended his statement by saying that their goal is to find the right balance between a thriving business community and the peace, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors, and not to stop the tourism and entertainment industry in Panglao.
He also assured that they are ready to listen, open to dialogues, and will implement the said order in a fair and responsible manner.
Cloud seeding in Bohol to start Oct. 9
The cloud-seeding operations in Bohol are scheduled to start on October 9 to help farms affected by the severe dry spell and protect rice production in the province.
BSWM Director Denise Solano has already sent a communication to Governor Aris Aumentado regarding the implementation of the cloud-seeding operations.
Personnel from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) arrived in Bohol on October 5 for coordination, courtesy calls and deployment meetings until October 8.
On October 6, the Cloud Spotters Orientation was also scheduled, where PAF personnel will be the resource person.
Representatives from the local government units (LGU) were also called to join the orientation.
The first phase of the cloud-seeding operations will be funded with P5 million from the provincial government of Bohol and will last up to 29 hours, depending on weather conditions and the presence of suitable clouds.
The main objective of the operation is to provide additional rainfall to areas severely affected by the dry spell, especially farmlands, to lessen its impact on thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and protect rice production in Bohol.
Partial damage to crops in Bohol due to the prolonged dry weather linked to El Niño has already reached ₱173.78 million, affecting 6,681 farmers in 26 of the 48 towns and city of the province.
Loay mayor offers ₱50,000 reward for infirmation of robbery of 2 Chinese tourists
Loay Mayor Hilario Ayuaban is offering a ₱50,000 reward for information that will lead to the arrest and filing of charges against those responsible for the robbery of two Chinese nationals in Morning Hills in Barangay Botoc Occidental, Loay, on Sunday, October 3.
Ayuaban made the offer while the police follow-up investigation into the incident is ongoing, which also resulted in the temporary closure of Morning Hills.
The mayor conferred with the investigating team of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) led by Police Maj. Bonifacio Lucerna, chief of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit, together with Loay police chief PLT John Rey B. Olid.
Ayuaban expressed his sadness over what happened and said that the police investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible.
In coordination with Barangay Botoc Occidental, under the leadership of Barangay Captain Lito Guarte, and the landowner, Morning Hills was temporarily closed after the incident.
Ayuaban explained that Morning Hills is a private property visited by some people because of its beautiful view facing the sea.
Entry to the said place is also free.
The mayor asked anyone who has information about those responsible for the robbery to contact Olid or directly contact him.
The ₱50,000 reward will be given for information that will help in identifying and arresting the suspects and will lead to the filing of charges against them.
Ayuaban stated that there is no place for crime in Loay and the efforts of the local government and police continue to maintain peace and security in the town.
American tourist beaten in Panglao, British suspect sought
A 47-year-old American was injured after allegedly being beaten by a Briton inside an apartment in Barangay Danao, Panglao, on Sunday, October 4 at night.
The Panglao Police Station responded to a report at 8 p.m. in an apartment, where police found blood stains on the floor.
The victim is 47 years old, single, currently living in an Apartment in Danao, Panglao while the identified suspect is a Briton who also lives in the said apartment.
The suspect is still at-large.
According to the initial investigation, the Briton knocked on the American’s room and entered after the victim opened the door.
He allegedly punched the American repeatedly.
The suspect also took the victim’s two cellphones and threw them into the swimming pool of the apartment compound.
According to the victim, the suspect got angry after learning that his ex-girlfriend was chatting with the American.
The American was brought to the Panglao Municipal Health Office for first aid and then referred to ACE Hospital in Tagbilaran City.
The police search for the suspect is ongoing.
BISU student identified as suspect in fake bomb threat in Tagbilaran
The suspect, a student of Bohol Island State University (BISU) who posted a fake bomb threat against universities in the city, was identified by the Tagbilaran City Police Station (PNP) in less than 24 hours.
The suspect is an 18-year-old female, 1st year student of the said school.
Three universities were threatened by the said suspect, Bohol Island State University, Holy Name University and University of Bohol.
The police under the leadership of Chief of Police Joey Bicoy quickly acted to identify the said student, and announced that the legal process is now ongoing based on the evidence obtained.
Mayor Jane Yap also issued a serious warning that she will not hesitate to impose the heavy penalty of the law against anyone who poses a threat to security in public places.
The PNP will also hold an official press conference to give further details on the said case.
NIA-7 assures Bohol dams have enough water supply despite El Niño
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA-7) assured that the dams in Bohol have sufficient water supply for irrigation despite the feared strong El Niño.
In an interview with Bohol Integrated Irrigation System (BIIS) Head, Engr. Beverly Joy Pocot-Cadorna together with Bohol-Cebu-Siquijor Irrigation Management Office Engineering and Operations Section Chief Evaristo Borja on media last, October 7, she said that the large and small dams in the province were not affected by El Niño and have sufficient water supply.
Although El Niño has already taken effect, the experienced rainfall helped greatly in storing water in the dams.
According to NIA-7, the two large dams – the Malinao Dam in Pilar and the Bayongan Dam in San Miguel which is the largest dam in Bohol – have provided irrigation water to an estimated 5,000 hectares of rice fields in the towns of Pilar, Dagohoy, and parts of San Miguel, Ubay, and Alicia.
The Malinao Dam is designed to transfer water to the Bayongan Dam when its water level reaches 151.6 meters above sea level.
Engr. Borja revealed that areas served by the Ilaya Dam and Capayas Dam in Ubay may possibly be affected.
The NIA continues to repair the gate valve which is targeted to be completed this December.
The NIA also manages Small Reservoir Irrigation Systems serving hundreds of hectares of rice fields in the province.
The NIA also allowed UWASCO or Ubay Water Services Cooperative to get water from the Capayas Dam for its consumers.
Due to the experienced El Niño, the NIA urged irrigators associations to do double cropping or planting vegetables aside from rice for food security.
Driver of delivery van dead, pinned after delivery van overturns in Catigbian
A 36-year-old driver died after the panel delivery van overturned and he was pinned at 11:50 in the morning on Thursday, October 8, 2026 on the National Highway in Purok 4, Brgy. Mahayag Norte, town of Catigbian.
The deceased victim was identified as a native of Brgy. Jandayan Norte, town of Getafe.
Based on the initial investigation of the Catigbian Philippine National Police (PNP) during a media interview, the van was heading to the town of Carmen because it had a delivery with an agent and a truck boy also on board.
Upon reaching the said area, the delivery van allegedly avoided an oncoming vehicle causing it to lose control, go out of its lane, and suddenly overturned.
Due to the incident, the body of the driver came out of his seat and he was pinned when the vehicle toppled which resulted in his immediate death.
The victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared by the attending doctor as dead on arrival (DOA).
On the other hand, the two passengers are safe from the accident.
Vehicle loses brake and crashes in Jagna
An Isuzu D-Max pick-up crashed near a store after it lost its brake while traveling along the National Highway in Purok 6, Brgy. Mayana, Municipality of Jagna today, October 8, 2026, past 9 in the morning.
The said vehicle was driven by a 61-year-old man who lives in Purok 1, Brgy. Abachanan, Sierra Bullones.
Also on board were two passengers.
Based on the report of the Jagna Philippine National Police (PNP) during a media interview, the said vehicle was headed to Jagna Proper.
But upon arriving at the said area which has a curved and downhill road, compounded by the road being wet due to rain, the pick-up suddenly lost its brake.
This caused the driver to lose control of the steering wheel which resulted in it crashing near a store.
Fortunately, the driver and his two passengers who are also both senior citizens are safe and were unharmed.
Motorcycle stripped of parts by two thieves in Talibon
A motorcycle was taken, stripped of its parts, and just left on the side of the road by two unidentified thieves in Purok 4, Green Village, Brgy. San Roque, town of Talibon at around 1:55 in the early morning of October 7, 2026.
According to a media interview with Eliza Meti, the owner of the said motorcycle, it was learned that their motorcycle was just parked outside their house.
They were just shocked in the morning when they noticed that it was gone.
They only found it in the front part of their house left on the side of the road and its important parts were already missing.
It was discovered through the footage of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera that the two suspects were wearing masks and were seen heading towards the direction of the town of Ubay.
As of now, the said incident has been formally reported to the police to conduct an investigation and to apprehend the suspects.
San Miguel hardest hit by El Niño; agricultural damage in Bohol reaches ₱189.5M
The town of San Miguel was the hardest hit by the ongoing drought associated with El Niño, where agricultural damage in the town was recorded at ₱53.2 million, out of the total ₱189.47 million in damage across the whole of Bohol.
Based on the initial report of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System (DRRMIS) as of October 5, the damage in San Miguel is almost three times compared to the next hardest-hit town, Tubigon, which recorded ₱18.7 million in damage.
Next was Batuan with ₱16.1 million, Inabanga with ₱12.5 million, Bilar with ₱10.9 million and Sagbayan with ₱10.3 million in damage.
In total, 7,035 farmers in 27 of the 48 LGUs in Bohol were affected by the drought, while assessment in other towns is still ongoing.
Rice was the most affected, accounting for 95.09 percent of all recorded damage.
High-value crops accounted for 2.87 percent and corn for 2.04 percent.
There is no recorded damage yet for cassava.
Other recorded damages include ₱8 million in Catigbian, ₱6.9 million in Calape, ₱236,000 in Bien Unido and ₱159,000 in Danao.
Damage was also recorded in Loboc, Valencia, Jagna and Mabini.
The figures comprise partial and total crop damage reported by the affected LGUs.
Assessment by agriculture and disaster response officials is ongoing to determine the overall impact of El Niño and to identify possible assistance for the affected farmers.
Mercantile store burns in Carmen
A 12 square meter portion of a Mercantile establishment in Sitio Merkado, Barangay Poblacion Sur, Carmen, Bohol, was engulfed by fire past 12 midnight on Wednesday, but no one died or was injured in the incident.
According to Bohol Provincial Fire Marshal FSupt. Raul Bustaliño, the Carmen Fire Station received the report at 12:25 in the early morning, and within just one minute the firefighters responded to the area.
The incident was declared under first alarm, while three BFP firefighters led by SFO4 Renato Elle responded to the fire.
The mercantile owned by Edward Manila was the one involved in the incident.
No family or individual was also affected.
The Bureau of Fire Protection is still determining the cause of the fire and the exact amount of property damage.
Construction helper dies after being electrocuted in Maribojoc
A 41-year-old construction helper died after being electrocuted while connecting a jackhammer using an extension wire at a worksite in Barangay Lagtangon, Maribojoc, Bohol on Monday, Oct. 5.
The victim is married and a resident of Purok 2, Barangay Song-on, Loon.
The victim was holding the extension wire while he was about to connect the jackhammer for ground work outside the house where he was working.
The victim used a substitute extension wire because the original wire was too short.
He was not aware that there was a defect in the electrical socket where he connected the wire.
He was electrocuted when he held the wire to connect it to the jackhammer.
He was immediately helped by his two co-workers and brought to the Maribojoc Community Hospital.
However, the construction worker was declared dead on arrival at 11:25 in the morning by Dr. Noel T. Jamila, the attending physician of the hospital.
The Maribojoc Police Station received information from the hospital at around 3 in the afternoon regarding the incident.
Passport of Chinese tourist robbed in Loay recovered
The passport of a Chinese tourist was recovered and returned after it was found by a resident and turned over to the police station after a robbery in Himontagon Hills, Barangay Botoc, Loay.
According to Mayor Hilario Ayuban, he met Yuqing Tang, one of the two Chinese nationals who robbed in the said area on Oct. 3.
The victims lost P9,000 in cash and a Chinese passport during the incident.
It is said that a Loay resident found the passport and brought it to the police station, which led to its return to Tang.
Ayuban thanked the said resident for his help in finding and returning the tourist’s passport.
Despite what happened, Tang thanked the Loay police and the municipal government for the help and care they provided after the incident.
Ayuban also conveyed his apology to Tang for what happened.
A follow-up investigation by the Loay police is ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the robbery.
Tourism workshop held to bring back influx of tourists in Bohol
Governor Erico Aris Aumentado led a Tourism Workshop on October 7, 2026, together with various important local tourism stakeholders to discuss new strategies for further developing the tourism industry in the province.
The said activity was organized with the support of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Department of Tourism (DOT-7), and Bohol Provincial Tourism Office (BPTO).
It was also attended by representatives from Bohol Association of Travel and Tours (BATTO), Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR), and various airline companies who expressed their strong support for the initiatives of the provincial government.
The aim of the said gathering is to create effective measures to further attract the target foreign markets as well as local or domestic travelers to visit Bohol.
In line with this, the governor extended his great gratitude to those who attended and supported the said activity, along with giving a positive outlook for the economy of the province.
“We are grateful for the hard work of our tourism partners in creating new strategies for the development of our tourism, including capturing our target foreign markets, as well as domestic travelers.
We are hopeful that through our efforts, the influx of tourists to Bohol will continue to return,” Governor Aumentado said.
Bishop Varquez and Cortes warn against groups pretending to be Catholic
Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan, who is also the appointed new Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, issued a strict warning to the faithful against the group Apostolic Catholic Church (also known as Apostolika’t Katolikang Simbahan or Simbahang Apostolika Katolika).
According to the bishop, the said group is causing confusion because its ministers wear vestments very similar to priests of the Catholic Church even though they are not legitimate Catholics.
Because of this, Varquez republished on October 5 a diocesan circular from June 25, 2025, after it was learned that the group has entered some barangays in Borongan and communities in the town of Guiuan.
While respecting the group’s right to practice their religion, Varquez strongly urged Catholics not to attend the activities and sacraments of the said group, especially the Eucharist.
He also ordered that the use of chapels and parish churches for their activities not be allowed.
The bishop said: “In the face of religious diversity, it is important that we remain strong in our convictions and deepen our understanding of our Catholic faith.”
He added, “We must educate ourselves about the teachings of the Church while embracing the richness of our Catholic traditions.”
On the other hand, a similar warning was also issued by Bishop Julito Cortes of Dumaguete against individuals asking for donations and introducing themselves as ‘Romano Catolicos’ using the name Simbahang Catolico Pilipino Inc.
Through a circular on October 6, Cortes revealed that the group’s solicitation letter uses an address in Panag, New Bataan, Davao de Oro.
After consultation with Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao and the Diocese of Tagum, it was confirmed that the said group has no connection to any Catholic parish or is recognized by the said dioceses.
Bishop Cortes urged the public to immediately report to their parish priest or diocesan chancery any solicitation of donations using the name of the said group, and it is better to bring a copy of the solicitation documents.
The bishop reminded: “Let us remain steadfast in communion with the one Church of Christ, and let our generosity be marked by discernment as well as by compassion.”
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BWUI continues Connect Now, Pay Later program
Victor Tambis of Bohol Water Utilities Incorporated (BWUI) revealed that the company is continuing its Connect Now, Pay Later program to provide greater convenience for new consumers.
The initiative is designed to make it easier for new consumers to settle the necessary fees associated with establishing a new water connection.
New consumers are obligated to pay certain fees when connecting to BWUI, such as the cost of pipes and the water meter, among other related charges.
Under the program, new consumers can opt to settle these fees on an installment basis, with the amount to be paid on top of their regular monthly bill.
A portion of the total fees will be paid accordingly based on the customer’s ability to pay, depending on the amount of fees and the schedule of payments that needs to be followed by the customer.
A new customer can avail himself of the program through the WASH Caravan, which is currently ongoing in Barangay Taloto, although the program is not only offered in Taloto but also in all of BWUI’s service areas.
Meanwhile, Tambis said that while BWUI is not yet fully operating in Panglao, it has already obtained a provisional license to operate in the town from the National Water Resources Board.
Bohol Light strengthens corporate social responsibility activities
Bohol Light has been actively advancing its corporate social responsibility efforts as a meaningful way of giving back to the community it serves.
One of the key activities initiated by the company is its participation in the coastal clean-up drive, which demonstrates its genuine concern for the environment and its commitment to proper waste management.
This environmental initiative helps the company project an image as a reliable partner in the protection and preservation of the environment.
Moreover, the company also conducts a feeding program in eight day care centers in the city as part of its effort to help improve the nutrition and well-being of children.
This initiative supports the company’s goal of providing ample assistance to children, parents, and teachers, while also helping the public see the company as a dependable partner in ensuring the betterment of the community.
Beyond its primary role of providing electricity to Tagbilaran, Bohol Light likewise aims to become a valuable partner in the continued progress of the city.
Lamanilao waits for SC decision on BSKE
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is waiting for the Supreme Court (SC) to decide on the fate of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
COMELEC Tagbilaran election supervisor Roco Lamanilao said he believes the SC will soon decide on the matter.
The SC has already asked the respondents to comment on the petition filed by lawyer Romulo Makalintal questioning the law that postpones the BSKE and resets it to 2028.
Under the postponement, incumbent barangay officials will get two more years of service as the elections are set on November 13, 2028, and this schedule will hold if the SC does not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and will not push the BSKE as scheduled this year.
Once a temporary restraining order (TRO) is issued, the COMELEC will have a busy period preparing to conduct the elections within this year.
Lamanilao said they are waiting for the decision but will continue with the continuing voters’ registration by November.
He added that the COMELEC will just reuse the ballots in 2028 because the elections are manual and the paraphernalia were ordered to be stored until the next polls.
Most of the cost already spent by the COMELEC was for the printing of ballots and the purchase of paraphernalia such as ballpens and indelible inks, among others, which will be taken out of storage after two years when the BSKE happens, which is also the same year as the National and Local Elections.
Aumentado suggests planting fruit trees in timberlands
Gov. Aris Aumentado suggested during a meeting that fruit trees be planted near timber trees while waiting for the latter to grow to maturity.
The governor made the suggestion as a way to keep the timberlands productive while waiting for the timber trees to mature and become ready for processing and sale.
He noted that it would be a good idea to have alternative sources of income while waiting for the timber trees to grow older.
Restituto Piollo of the Bohol Environment Management Office suggested that soil testing be conducted first in order to determine whether or not the soil can support the growing of fruit trees.
The meeting was held on October 6, 2026, at the Capitol and was participated in by representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The timberlands are located in the towns of Buenavista and Getafe.
Capitol trains 60 personnel as cloud and rain spotters to support cloud seeding operations across Bohol
The Provincial Government has trained 60 personnel as cloud and rain spotters who will be tasked to monitor the skies all across Bohol.
The training was conducted on October 6, 2026 in a resort in Taloto to equip the personnel with the necessary skills to spot the right clouds suitable for cloud seeding operations and to report rainfall activity in their respective areas.
Through their timely reports, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist will be properly informed on where the right clouds for seeding are located, which will help make the operations more efficient.
The training was conducted with the help of the Bureau of Soil and Water Management and the Philippine Air Force, which provided technical assistance for the initiative.
Meanwhile, more than P100.73 million in damages brought about by the dry spell have already been reported by 22 towns, with San Miguel town reporting the largest damage amounting to P53.2 million pesos.
So far, only 22 of the 48 towns in the province have submitted their damage assessment reports to the Capitol.
Robin Culpa explains PhilHealth YAKAP program in Tagbilaran
City Primary Care Facility spokesperson Robin Culpa explained the features of PhilHealth’s YAKAP program during his interview over the Newsmakers radio program on October 6, 2026.
Culpa revealed that PhilHealth members who are registered under the YAKAP program may avail themselves of free consultation and laboratory services as part of the program’s primary care benefits.
He added that members who chose the primary care facility as their provider in Tagbilaran may avail themselves of a free cardiac panel test as ordered by the doctor, which can also be used as baseline data for their health records.
Meanwhile, those who need to be tested for SGPT, SGOT, and Uric Acid may need to pay an additional fee of P350 on top of the free services being offered.
Moreover, Culpa said the facility is still in the process of applying for the GAMOT program that is designed to provide free medicines worth up to P20,000 per year, and once the accreditation is completed, the facility may be able to provide free medicines based on PhilHealth’s official list.
He clarified that senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents are considered PhilHealth members who need not pay any premium to keep their accounts active, which means they remain covered without regularly paying to maintain their membership.
In another development, Culpa narrated that he presented the health promotion programs implemented in Tagbilaran City to visiting health officials from across Central Visayas, who were reportedly impressed by the way Tagbilaran has implemented its health programs.
Cong. Yap pushes training for more PV installers for Sariling Kuryente Act
Murang Kuryente partylist Representative Arthur Yap is pushing for the training of more installers of photovoltaic panels (PV), also known as solar panels, in anticipation of the growing demand once the law on Sariling Kuryente Act is passed.
Yap said he sees a surge in the need for more PV installers once the law is enacted because it will make PV installation accessible and affordable to the masses, which will create a need for more installers all across the country and not just in Bohol.
He explained that the law will help make electricity more affordable by promoting solar panels as a measure to reduce rising power costs for ordinary households.
Yap revealed that the Social Security System (SSS), PAG-IBIG, and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will soon be mandated to allot funds for loans to those who want to install PV in their homes, and even though the law is still being drafted, the government agencies mentioned have already started their respective loan programs for members who wish to avail of loans to be used for the installation of PV panels.
He added that he has coordinated with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for scholarships and trainers’ training for PV installers, and that he has tapped Eric Nuez as the point person for the endeavor while he will soon announce the details on how to avail of the scholarships.
Yap also plans to coordinate with local schools and community colleges as venues for the training of PV installers and advised interested individuals to frequently monitor his Facebook page for the details of the scholarships.
He said the Sariling Kuryente Act will help solve the acute power supply shortage being experienced in the Visayas, as evidenced by the red and yellow alerts, noting that the power shortage is more noticeable in Negros Occidental than in Bohol, where the former suffers from frequent power outages due to low supply.
On tourism and food, Yap says Negros tourism benefits from affordable food and salaried workers, unlike Bohol
Yap noted that tourism in Negros Occidental has successfully integrated food into its tourism offerings, which has made its tourism industry more competitive and sustainable.
He explained that tourism in Negros is less costly because the players are more often salaried employees and are not chasing commissions from every transaction.
Moreover, he observed that food prices in Negros are less expensive compared to Bohol because of the law of supply and demand, having seen that Negros has a robust agriculture sector that produces plenty of food, especially seafood, compared to Bohol where the same items cost an arm and a leg.
Yap lamented that Bohol needs to produce more food in order to keep prices low while demand remains stable, so that food prices in the province will no longer be notoriously expensive.
He cited several food items that are affordable in Negros yet are priced at a premium when sold in Bohol, even though they are essentially the same products.
In terms of attractions, Yap said Bohol has an edge over Negros, but it is sad that local tourists are skipping Bohol and visiting Negros instead, noting that in the first half of 2026, 2 million tourists visited Negros, most of whom are local tourists, compared to Bohol which is seeing a decline in the number of tourist arrivals.
DPWH third district in Bohol gets new OIC
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) third engineering district in Bohol has a new officer-in-charge (OIC).
Engineer Claudio Arcayena Jr. is the new head of the third engineering district, replacing Engr. Magiting Cruz who has now been assigned to Zambales, while there are no changes in the leadership of the first and second engineering districts in Bohol.
Cruz was first assigned in Bohol in 2019 during the term of former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, and his new order of assignment was signed by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon in September 2026.
Cruz was instrumental in the building of the iconic Loay bridge, which became controversial after the temporary bridge adjacent to the main bridge collapsed on April 20, 2022.
Arcayena, on the other hand, used to serve as the assistant district engineer of the first engineering district before his new appointment.
RDC-7 asks Marcos to declare state of power emergency in Central Visayas
The Regional Development Council (RDC)-7 is asking President Marcos Jr. to declare a State of Power Emergency in Central Visayas amid the frequent power interruptions in the region due to a shortage in supply.
The move is intended to hasten the implementation of solutions to the ongoing power problem, which has been worsened by the fact that several power plants in the Visayas are currently offline due to repairs.
This situation has, in turn, caused a shortage in supply and triggered frequent power interruptions that continue to affect households and businesses across the region.
The resolution was passed during the third quarter full council meeting held in Carcar City on September 30, 2026 and was approved en masse after being pushed by local leaders and business persons as a measure to address the power crisis.
It is a known fact that the Visayas often receives yellow and red alerts from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which has even recommended for utilities to engage in manual load dropping to manage the shortfall.
The power interruptions have caused damage and losses, especially to the business sector, which is among the hardest hit by the unstable power supply.
NFA to buy more palay to boost buffer stock amid El Niño
The National Food Authority (NFA) plans to purchase more dry palay from local farmers to improve its buffer stock in anticipation of the effects of El Niño.
This was disclosed by Joel Lim, spokesperson of NFA Bohol, when asked about the agency’s plan regarding the province’s rice stocks.
Lim revealed that the agency is now buying dry palay at P30 per kilo, which is higher than the previous buying price of P21 per kilo, in hopes that farmers will choose to sell their palay to the agency and not to commercial traders.
He added that the NFA anticipates a lower harvest in the coming months due to El Niño, which is why it is strengthening its buffer stock to ensure availability.
The agency will use the stocks to provide rice in the event that there is a shortage of rice supply in the province.
Former Sagbayan mayor Suarez surrenders to Loay police over Captain’s Peak case
Former Sagbayan Mayor Restituto Suarez lll surrendered to the Loay police after a warrant of arrest was issued against him upon learning that he is wanted by the law.
The former mayor’s move was confirmed by the Loay police, who also revealed that a tracker team was even organized that was supposed to bring him to justice.
The warrant was issued in connection with the case that stems from the controversy surrounding The Captain’s Peak fiasco, which has sparked widespread controversy after it was discovered that a resort was built at the foot of a Chocolate Hill in Sagbayan.
The investigation further showed that the resort had no Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
PHIVOLCS urges LGUs to buy ground radar to detect sinkholes
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Bohol chief Nolan Evangelista suggested to local government units (LGU) to purchase ground penetrating radar (GPR) to help discover potential sinkholes.
The suggestion comes after fissures were discovered along the national highway in Taguihon, Baclayon, which prevented traffic from passing the said area due to a potential sinkhole underneath that can be fully determined by experts from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
He said the LGUs can help discover the potential sinkhole with the help of the GPR and report it to the proper authorities.
The fissures disabled traffic and forced rerouting while repairs are being done on the damaged area along the national highway.
Evangelista made this timely suggestion as a way to prevent a certain disaster from happening.
PSA Bohol celebrates National Statistics Month
The Philippine Statistics Authority Bohol (PSA) is celebrating the National Statistics Month this October and the agency has prepared several activities.
This was disclosed by Jessamyn Ann Alcazaren, chief statistics account specialist of PSA Bohol.
She was the guest in the Newsmakers radio program on October 8, 2026, hosted by Ardy Araneta Batoy.
Alcazaren narrated that the celebrations started in 1990 during the time of President Corazon Aquino who declared October as National Statistics Month.
The agency has lined up several activities starting with an opening salvo regarding the Provincial Product Account.
She also mentioned about tourism called Tuklas Pilipinas: Towards Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Tourism.
There was also a quiz participated in by several schools and the top participants are Holy Name University, Bohol Island State University (BISU Main), BISU Bilar, Tagbilaran City College, Inabanga College of Arts and Sciences, BISU Calape and Mater Dei College.
Alcazaren also mentioned an open house where people can visit and get a chance to win tokens from the PSA.
Another quiz on infographics participated in by several schools later this month.
There will be press conference about the headline inflation.
Alcazaren said all of the activities are geared to promote the importance of statistics and its role in the Filipino’s life.