We Boholanos are happy that giant clams called taklobo have been brought to our province to be raised here. This was made possible by the Armed Forces of the Philippines which provided the manpower and equipment needed to transport the giant clams from the Ocean Nursery in Bolinao, Pangasinan. A Philippine Air Force C-130 flew in the clams which were then brought by army trucks to the Marine Protected Area in Bingag, Bohol.
The presence of the taklobo is expected to boost tourism here in Bohol, as they will surely multiply and become a tourist attraction, besides providing nutrition and shelter to small sea animals. Our local government also expects that the clams will provide some measure of reducing poverty and addressing food security without disturbing important marine life in protected areas.
We thank the AFP for its time and effort in transporting the clams as they only have a maximum of 11 hours to survive a trip. The AFP has been helping the province of Bohol for many years now, especially through its Internal Peace and Security Program or IPSP, which is now widely known as the “Bohol Experience” that cleared our province of insurgency, transformed it into a booming tourist destination and significantly improved its economy.
Our deepest thanks to the military and to everyone who made this new undertaking successful. We look forward to working with our military in new and more laudable projects.
—JOSSA B. LLAÑES,
local government of Tagbilaran City, Bohol Province,
lfirstnamejossa@yahoo.com