CEBU CITY – The province of Bohol received a prestigious award during the National Assembly of Provincial Agriculture Offices on the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Implementation on Friday, Aug. 29, in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
Bohol was recognized as the Most Outstanding Province in the Visayas under the Large-Scale Category for the 2024 wet and 2025 dry seasons.
RICE coordinator Maricel Barloso of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist shows the award of Bohol province during the National Assembly of Provincial Agriculture Offices on the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Implementation on Friday, Aug. 29, in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. (Contributed photo)
Awards were given to provincial implementers across the Philippines by small, medium, and large-scale categories and by island grouping in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Bohol was cited for its “competent and strategic leadership” that enabled the province to reach seed delivery and distribution targets.
The award also highlighted Bohol's feat as instrumental in advancing shared goals of improving the competitiveness and income of rice farmers in the province.
Other winners in the large-scale category were Oriental Mindoro for Luzon and Agusan del Sur for Mindanao.
Rice coordinator Maricel Barloso of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) received the certificate and trophy on behalf of the provincial government.
“This award is a testament to our steadfast resolve and commitment to fulfill our sworn duty to serve Filipino rice farmers,” Barloso said in a Facebook post.
Barloso credited the support of the provincial government of Bohol, headed by Gov. Aris Aumentado, the DA-PhilRice, local government units, rice farmers, and partner agencies for the milestone.
Barloso thanked former rice coordinator Lorebien Lagapa for her “long and dedicated service.”
"This achievement is a product of everyone's hard work and commitment," she added.
The certificate and trophy were signed by Flordeliza Bordey, director of the RCEF Program Management Office, and John de Leon, Executive Director of DA-PhilRice.