By Elvira Bongosia
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, {hilippines — Bohol is preparing its farms, communities and water supply for a possibly stronger El Niño, building on gains in rice and food production, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado said.
“As we face a possibly stronger El Niño, we have prepared our response to protect our farms, communities, and water supply,” Aumentado said in his fourth State of the Province Address.
The state weather bureau PAGASA has been issuing monthly El Niño advisories.
It has said a very strong El Niño is likely from October 2026 to January 2027, typically bringing below-normal rainfall to the country.
The provincial government is ready to carry out cloud seeding when needed, Aumentado said.
“This is our approach: prepare early, act at the right time, and protect our people,” the governor said.
The province will continue to strengthen climate-smart agriculture and fisheries, improve water security and support local producers, he said.
Rice and food production
Bohol reached 94.9% rice self-sufficiency in 2025, the highest in Central Visayas, with rice production of 235,000 metric tons, Aumentado said.
“We supported 23,000 rice farmers across 45 local government units by providing seeds and fertilizers. For this, Bohol was named the Most Outstanding Province in the Visayas for exemplary implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) programs,” he said.
Under its Palay Buy-Back Program, the province bought 376,000 kilograms of palay from local farmers, giving them a ready market, he said.
The province’s Bugas Bol-anon rice brand earned P16 million in sales through Kadiwa outlets, the Bohol Showcase Center, the Provincial Capitol, and municipal agri-fairs.
“We are improving our post-harvest facilities. The Rice Processing Center in Pilar is now operational. This will improve efficiency, reduce losses, and increase the quality of our farmers’ produce,” Aumentado said.
The province’s Benteng Bigas program has also made affordable rice available to Boholano families, he said.
Beyond rice, the province expanded access to seeds, fertilizers and other inputs for corn and high-value crop farmers.
High-value crop production grew by 236%, and the Bohol Vegetable Corridor has increased the local supply of fresh vegetables, the governor said.
Kadiwa sales for Boholano farmers grew from P670,000 in 2024 to P8.7 million in 2026, he said.
Ubi, coconut and fisheries
The Provincial Development Council endorsed the Bohol Ubi Kinampay Value Chain Analysis to support the province’s application for a geographical indication with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
A geographical indication would protect the name of the purple yam grown in Bohol.
The Philippine Coconut Authority gave Bohol the Outstanding Bayaniyugan LGU Award at its Coconut Industry Sustainability Awards.
Provincial Board Member Lucille Yap-Lagunay received the authority’s first Ambassador Award for her support for the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.
The province also opened the Sevilla Fish Hatchery to support sustainable fisheries and local food supply.
“Ang food security dili lang masinati sa abunda sa ani o kadaghan sa pagkaon, kon dili sa presyo nga maabot sa tanan, sa mas maayong panginabuhi sa atong mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda, buhong sa masustansyang pagkaon ang pamilya, ug adunay kaseguruhan sa malungtarong agrikultura alang sa kaliwatan,” Aumentado said.
(Food security is measured not only by abundant harvests or the volume of food, but also by prices everyone can afford, better livelihoods for our farmers and fisherfolk, families well-nourished with healthy food, and the assurance of sustainable agriculture for future generations.) (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)
