The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, called for compassionate, clear, and harmonized policies in disaster preparedness and response.
It approved on first reading a proposed amendment to Provincial Ordinance 2021-014 on the implementation of preemptive or forced evacuation.
Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite, chairman of the Committee on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and session floor leader, pointed out the need for policies to be more adaptive to climate risks, more attuned to local realities, and more sensitive to the needs of constituents.
In particular, he cited the critical aspect of strengthening the implementation of pre-emptive evacuation and ensuring that evacuation measures are carried out with compassion, transparency, and accountability—without compromising public safety.
In the same vein, Balite pushed for the inclusion of the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in storm monitoring activities of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to ensure a coordinated approach to data gathering, especially on the number of evacuees.
He underscored that proactive governance saves lives.
“Preparedness, coordination, and science-based decision-making remain our strongest defense against the increasing threats posed by climate-related disasters,” he stated.
𝗡𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆
In a related development, Board Member Fernando Estavilla sought the support of the Committee on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction in collaboration with the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety to look into the “No Sail Policy” of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in relation to a special permit for the island municipality of Carlos P. Garcia (CPG).
Estavilla recalled that last February 5, passengers bound for Pitogo were not allowed to board LCT Isla de Pitogo at Tapal Port due to Tropical Storm Basyang.
The Philippine Ports Authority closed the ports in view of the “no sail policy” that was implemented with Bohol under Signal Number 1 due to the storm.
Estavilla, however, reasoned that CPG island had long secured a special permit with PCG that was consistent with the guidelines on Short Distance Voyages under the Memorandum Circular.
The special permit had allowed sea travel under signal number 1 for the route from Tapal Port, Ubay, to Port of Popoo, Pitogo, which is around 1 kilometer or 0.5 nautical miles and would take approximately 5 minutes of travel time.
Estavilla lamented that the February 5 incident caused confusion, frustration, and inconvenience among passengers, with some forced to take alternative means of crossing to the island.
“Luoy ang mga pamilya nga mao pay ipangompra kay mao pay pag-abot sa kwarta. Luoy ang mga estudyante ug mga trabahante nga gusto unta makauban ilahang mga pamilya. Luoy ang mga PWD ug mga pasyente nga naghandom intawon mouli kay abi nila nga makauli sila. Imagine-a ang mga PWD ug mga masakiton muagi sa lapok ug baybayon para makauli,” Estavilla, former Pitogo mayor, said.
𝐍𝐎 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐋 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐘. During the SP Regular Session on February 10, 2026, Board Member Fernando Estavilla sought the support of the Committee on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction in collaboration with the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety to look into the “No Sail Policy” of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in relation to a special permit for the island municipality of Carlos P. Garcia (CPG). 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗣-𝗦𝗘𝗖/𝗟𝗠𝗦
𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Meanwhile, deliberations continue for the Enhanced Sustainable Marine Wildlife Interaction ordinance pushed by Board Member Lucille Lagunay.
The proposed measure seeks to refine, strengthen, and future-proof the province’s policies on marine wildlife interaction, the first district legislator stated.
“Over the years, Bohol has emerged as a destination not only for its beauty but also for its marine wildlife. Creatures that are not owned by any individual. operator. or municipality, but these are part of our collective natural heritage and patrimony. And these specific species are living components of our marine ecosystems, and their protection is inseparable from the protection of our people’s long-term welfare,” Lagunay emphasized.
The proposed measure provides that marine wildlife interactions shall be guided by the principles of responsible tourism, ecological sustainability, and the primacy of wildlife conservation.
It upholds that marine wildlife interactions must be incidental and non-induced and that marine megafauna shall not be guaranteed or manipulated.
Its major provisions include wildlife tourism interaction season, Certificate of Compliance issued by the Governor, minimum requirements for interaction sites and operators, standards of operation, zoning, and specific regulations, among others.
In the same session, presided over by Board Member Jamie Aumentado Villamor, the SP approved the passage on third reading of the amendment to the Provincial Ordinance on Anti-Wire Dangling.
Reports by the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and Tourism, the Committee on Review of Municipal Ordinances & Related Issuances, and the Committee on Cooperatives, NGOs, POs, and CSOs were also rendered. (Office of the SP Sec/LMS)
