Wake-uppers:
Scene: Educator Adelfa Monton-Ocio celebrated her birthday, August 19. She hosted a dinner for family and close friends at her residence in Tagbilaran City. As a collective “Happy birthday!” reverberated around her home, the Birthday Girl flashed a sweet smile. All in all, it was a little night of music, easy camaraderie, full of fun and laughter and, yes, full of love. At her age, Maam LacLac has retained the youthful look. “For the gift of life and the promises you have for me in your word, Lord, I have come to say thank you for another year in your loving-kindness,” she said.
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| Some members of the Bohol media receive the results of the drug test from Chief Insp. David Patriana. Photo: Bohol Crime Lab |
Scene: Nine members of the Bohol media covering the police beat who underwent a drug test were found negative of illegal drugs. The action of the members of the Bohol Provincial Police Office Press Corps (BPPOPC) was lauded by Senior Supt. Angeles Geñorga, Jr., director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office, who was present during the drug testing of journalists. Chief Insp. David Patriana, chief of the Bohol Police Office Crime Laboratory, said that the members of the BPPO Press Corps showed no traces of methamphetamine or shabu and tetrahydrocannabinol, the main active ingredient in cannabis. After the successful conduct of the drug test which was released on Friday, Dave Charles Responte, president of BPPOPC, challenged other journalists to also undergo the same examination to prove that members of the media were not into illegal drugs.
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Former Carmen Mayor Conchita “Che” Toribio-Delos Reyes expressed her gratitude to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) acting secretary Virginia Orogo, Senior Citizen Partylist Rep. Francisco Datol and Quirino Lone District Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua for endorsing her in the race for Bohol’s 3rd congressional district in the 2019 elections.
"I am very happy to hear that, to witness their support and endorsement,” she said.
Cua said Mayor Che has the potential to bring change and progress.
“Sa tingin ko ang kanyang puso naman ay para sa tao,” said Cua, a former governor of Quirino province.
Cua said he is considering a Senate run in the elections next year. He told reporters in Bohol that the PDP-Laban party was considering him to be included in the shortlist.
Mayor Che was present during the giving of certificate of the land ownership award (Cloa) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) last Thursday, August 23, in Carmen town.
DAR distributed 419 certificates of landownership awards (Cloas) to 419 farmers from 23 towns in the province of Bohol, which 112 beneficiaries came from Carmen town.
"Dakong grasya sa Diyos (This is a blessing from God.)"
This was how 80-year-old farmer Anecita Sanchez reacted after receiving her certificate of land ownership award (Cloa) from DAR.
Sanchez, a resident of Nueva Vida Este in Carmen, was awarded with 1,400 sq meters agricultural land.
Another beneficiary, Anastacio Almedilla, 88, a resident of Barangay Garcia in San Miguel town, was overjoyed that he received his land.
"Naa nakoy kapuy-an nga akoa na kay naghawid nako sa titulo," said Almedilla, who has been farming all his life.
The Cloas were personally awarded by Agrarian Sec. John Castriciones.
Also present during the event were, Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto, Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite, 1st district Rep. Rene Relampagos, Carmen Mayor Ricardo Toribio, DAR Undersecretary Emily Padilla and mayors Natividad Gonzaga (Danao), Danny Guivencan (Dimiao), Jacinto Naraga (San Isidro), Eugene Datahan II (Pilar) and former Mabini Mayor Esther Tabigue.
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| Adelfa Ocio (center, in red) with her friends during her birthday. |
The beneficiaries wore t-shirts with a name of SAP Bong Go.
The 419 Cloas cover a total area of 475 hectares of farmlands.
Grace Fua, Bohol provincial agrarian reform program officer II, explained to the farmers their responsibilities as recipients of the land transfer program. The farmers are not allowed to sell or mortgage the awarded lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) as stated in the CLOA.
Fua told farmers to make the land productive.
Castriciones said DAR will provide necessary support services and farm equipment to ARBs in Bohol province to improve their farm production to boost farm production.
It will eventually increase the income of the farmers who are the real heroes, Castriciones added.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with Land Bank of the Philippines, also released cash grants to the beneficiaries under the national government’s Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) program provided for by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
DSWD regional information officer Leah Quintana said they released P2,400 per beneficiary. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) also gave scholarships to the children of the farmers.
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Bohol town hit by rare hailstone
Residents of Pilar town were surprised at a hailstorm on Friday afternoon, August 24.
The hailstorm started at past noon in Barangay Poblacion, according to Raymund Anania, the town’s disaster risk reduction and management officer.
Witnesses said it lasted for only about five minutes.
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| Hailstone in Pilar, Bohol |
The residents were surprised of the hail, the size of a corn kernel.
“We were jolted by the clattering on the roof of our house,” said resident Lemuel Buslon.
Aniana said it was the first time that a hailstorm had occurred in the town.
The hailstorm happened only in Barangay Poblacion. Other parts of Pilar experienced only heavy rains and gusty winds.
There was no report of injury or damage to property caused by the ice crystals that people seemed to welcome as a rare experience, Aniana said.
A hailstorm is nothing to fear since it is simply a natural phenomenon, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
It occurs when high temperatures hit land, causing precipitation to fall to earth as rain but freeze on the way to the ground.
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