BOHOL — The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VII honored the Province of Bohol with 22 awards during its 128th founding anniversary celebration, held at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites on July 2–3, 2026. The record-breaking haul crowned Bohol as Central Visayas’ top agricultural achiever under the theme “Kawani ng Ahensya, Kaagapay ng Magsasaka’t Mangingisda Tungo sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.”
Governor Aris Aumentado and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist credited the sweeping success to synchronized efforts across multiple sectors. Local governments, public schools, state universities, farmers’ cooperatives, and dedicated extension workers forged strong partnerships that turned agricultural innovation into tangible gains for food security and rural livelihoods.
Local Governments and Schools Lead the Charge
Garcia-Hernandez and San Miguel each secured the Outstanding LGU & Province Award for their exemplary local agricultural programs. The municipalities of Talibon, Sevilla, and Catigbian all ranked among the top three in the competitive Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Development Program, showcasing consistent rural development planning.
Sevilla earned an additional distinction as the Top 2 SAAD Beneficiary Awardee, reflecting effective implementation of the Special Area for Agricultural Development program. Educational institutions likewise excelled: Sikatuna National High School won the Gawad Saka Macro Garden Award, while Bohol Island State University–Bilar Campus received a Special Award for research contributions.
Nahawan National High School in Clarin bagged the Greenthumbpreneurs: Outstanding Young Farmers Organization award. The program engages students in entrepreneurial garden projects, instilling a passion for agriculture and demonstrating how schools can become hubs of rural innovation.
Farmers and Technicians Earn Top Honors
Individual farmers claimed prestigious Gawad Saka titles. Rhodman Joseph Ubus was named Outstanding Young Farmer for his leadership and modern farming techniques. Geoffrey Cepedoza won Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer for vegetables, while Gelyn Asares dominated the corn-based farmer category with her high-yield, sustainable methods.
Angelito Oruyan was recognized as Outstanding Agricultural Extension Manager, and Windyl Mejias as Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker. Their awards highlight the vital bridge that extension professionals build between research institutions and farming families, ensuring that new technologies reach the fields.
Agricultural technician assistants swept multiple categories. Jay Marc Sotto, Ana Marie Cuitom for corn, Rimmel Torregosa for high value crops, Jacquelin Babatuan for coconut, and Genevieve Abella for HUFAF microgarden each secured top honors, showcasing Bohol’s deep bench of skilled field workers.
Cooperatives and the Spirit of Bayanihan
The Aguipo Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Mabini captured the Gawad Saka Outstanding Farmers’ Cooperative award. The cooperative’s success story is rooted in shared learning sites and collective processing ventures that have lifted incomes and strengthened community resilience among small coconut growers.
Beyond individual trophies, the awards embodied the bayanihan ethos that defines Bohol’s approach to rural development. From coastal barangays to interior uplands, the province’s inclusive model links productivity with environmental stewardship, ensuring that no farmer or fisherfolk is left behind.
UNESCO Geopark Status Anchors Sustainable Growth
Bohol’s identity as a UNESCO Global Geopark reinforces its commitment to sustainable agriculture. The provincial government actively promotes climate-resilient farming, agro-ecotourism, and organic practices that protect the island’s iconic Chocolate Hills, rivers, and marine habitats while generating additional income for farming families.
Governor Aumentado reiterated that agricultural modernization must walk hand in hand with eco-cultural preservation. The 22 awards affirm that Bohol’s path—rooted in science, community values, and a profound respect for nature—can serve as a national template for inclusive, sustainable rural progress.
