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Economy
Major livelihood activities are agriculture, fishing, cattle raising, mineral production and cottage industries.
Agriculture on the island's sparse arable land is the main economic activity in Bohol, and comprises 56% of the labor force (Philippine Atlas, 1975; Aprieto, 1986). Important crops include rice, corn, tobacco, ube, sweet potato, abaca and coconut. The last is significant since the island is one of the largest coconut producers in the country. Other agricultural products include legumes, abaca, maguey, vegetables and fruit trees.
Fishing is done regardless of season. It is mainly found in the northern part of province but the industry is localized as reefs off the coast obstruct fishing activities. The industry's full potential has yet to be tapped.
The livestock industry is represented in Bohol by various ranches, the more notable of which are the animal farms in Talibon and Ubay (Philippine Atlas, 1975).
Mining activities produce guano and manganese. Caverns in Sierra-Bullones, Maribojoc, and Mabini are rich in edible birds' nest and guano deposits used as fertilizers. Manganese is found in Guindulman, Anda, Jagna and Carmen. Nonmetallic materials useful in manufacturing also abound in Bohol. About 1/2 of Bohol and most of its islets are covered with limestone. Lime from limestone is used for soil conditioning, road construction and cement making. Clay deposits are found in Danao, Dauis, Jetafe and Buenavista.
Cottage industries include mat weaving and sack making, and Bohol is popular of its woven hats and baskets. Another cottage industry is the preparation of native delicacies like calamay, made of rice, sugar and coconut milk.
Bohol is served by the major port in Tagbilaran City and also with other ports, i.e. Talibon, Tubigon, Jagna, Jetafe, and Ubay. Tagbilaran City is the leading commercial and trading center where interisland ships regularly arrive. Electric, postal, telegraphic and telephone services are provided by both private and government firms. The literacy rate in the province is 81%.
Tourism is another source of revenue in the province. Tourist attractions include the chocolate hills in Carmen, Bilar, and Sagbayan; the Badiang swimming pool in Valencia; the Tontonan Falls which generates power for Tagbilaran and the rest of Bohol. A historical site is the "cross and watch" tower in Punta Cruz, Marobojoc, which was used as a lookout for Moro pirates during the Spanish colonial era.
Political System
Bohol is divided into 47 mayoralties, with Tagbilaran City administered by a mayor, vice-mayor and other city councilors. The province, having its seat in the lone city, is subdivided into three (3) districts, first in the north, second in the interior part, and third in the east of the province. Bohol province has its governor, vice-governor and board members elected by their respective constituents in the district. Each of these districts sends representative to the Philippine Congress.
Social Organizations
The Boholano have strong affinity with their families, and are respectful towards their elders. Terms like Manong, Manang, Tiya, Tiyo are used. Like most other Philippine groups, filial duty of helping to support the family is observed.
The life cycle of the Boholano is celebrated in various ceremonies that include both Christian and native elements. Traditionally, the Boholano performed the paglelehe after childbirth. This consisted of tying the umbilical cord of a boy to a nonoc tree. This is believed to confer strength on him. If a girl, the cord is tied to the fragrant pandan plant to make her eligible someday for the local chieftain (Tirol: 1975:75).
In the past, education of the youth was entrusted to an elderly person known as the paratagbao (literally, " he cries out loud"), whose instructions on morality and ethics were done at the children's homes. The spaniards introduced formal classroom education and the Americans strengthened it with the public school system
Boholano men usually marry at age 20, women at 18. Courtship can take on various forms: letter writing or the more traditional parent-initiated proposal. There are generally two steps to the more customary proposal: the hatod and the sunda (literally "to follow-up"). The first step begins when an elder acting as a go-between for the boy's family visits the girl's parents. He declares his intentions and places five pesos in silver coins on the table, continually adding to them until the sum becomes acceptable to the girls relatives. After being served refreshments, the go-between leaves and is told to return after three days. The sunda stage proceeds when the girl's parents accept the proposal. A meeting is set with the boy's parents, where wedding arrangements are discussed and finalized. The boy goes into a period of service, in which he performs the household chores for the girl's family. After this period, the wedding is held in the Church. Feasting follows until the breakfast on the next day. Ganas (literally, "carrying the bride to the groom's house) is practised as the bride is taken to the home of the groom. She stays there until living arrangements are made up (Pajo:1954-16-18).
In the past, the Boholano believed that there is a next world which is a continuation of life. When a person died, the relative cleaned the deceased with water made fragrant with leaves, herbs and preservatives as such lime and buyo. Jewelry and work implements were interred with the dead. Mourning took the form of abstinence from fish and meat. Christianity has effectively stopped these practices. (Pajo)
From the CCP Encyclopedia on Philippine Arts. Back to Home |