Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto delivered his State of the Province (SOPA) address on February 26, 2016 at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City. Its theme: “Shared Leadership and Connectivity, Achieving BIG LEAPS in Bohol’s Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.”

Says our Governor: “The SOPA highlights our accomplishments for the last two terms [2010-2013 and 2013-2016] towards inclusive growth, and equitable and accelerated prosperity which we are now achieving through shared leadership with all stakeholders as we pursue our development priorities enshrined in our development framework—HEAT- IT Bohol HELPS LIFE.”

I was very pleased to receive a copy of the SOPA and the CD with the Governor’s letter. The 92-page report is very informative. It has many colored photographs and relevant statistics. The

Governor’s DATA Team also deserves recognition for the effort.

Governor Chatto’s brand of shared leadership by all stakeholders. This is described in his own concept: “Leadership is a gift from God for man to develop and share with others.” Many photos show Governor Chatto and Vice-Governor Concepcion O. Lim as partners in provincial leadership. As well as the other members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan [Bohol Provincial Council]. Stakeholders include national government leaders and workers, NGOs, business, educational, civic, and religious organizations.

Under Governor Chatto, Bohol has twice gained recognition as “the Best Governed Province in the Country” as per Local Performance Management System of the DILG.

The province  received the highest ranking in DILG’s Local Governance Performance Management System (2010 and 2011);  Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award for Exemplary Performance in Local Governance;  Seal of Good Housekeeping of the DILG (2011, 2012): “For good governance performance particularly in good planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and valuing performance management.” DILG Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping (2014): “Recognition for local government units that excel and give premium to accountability and transparency in financial management.

In 2011 our Governor was the recipient of Dangal ng Bayan Award of the Civil Service Commission, the Gawad Bayanihan Award of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Kabalikat Award of TESDA.

Indeed, in 2015 Bohol was awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government “The Seal of Good Local Governance”: “Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamamahalang Lokal.” 

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Accomplishments. Adopted legislative measures to support the development framework of Bohol for health, education, agriculture, tourism, information technology, infrastructure, environmental management, social services, and development administration. Received the DILG Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping. Increased the total revenues and appropriations, 2011-15. Increased the assessed value of real properties for the period.

Forthcoming projects: The Bohol International Airport in Panglao will be completed in December 2017. This will greatly enhance the province’ booming tourism industry. The old Provincial Capitol opposite the Provincial Plaza and the Cathedral in Tagbilaran is being converted to the Bohol National Museum. And the new Bohol Provincial Capitol will be started.

Informed Boholanos recognize their members in the House of Representatives as valuable contributors to provincial and national service and development: Rep. Rene L. Relampagos, 1^st district; Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, 2^nd district; and Rep. Arthur C. Yap, 3^rd district. I  try to keep myself informed about their work.

Governor Chatto has been in the public service for more than thirty years. He started as a Board Member of Bohol representing the youth sector when he served as president of the Kabataang Barangay; he went on to serve as municipal mayor of Balilihan, Vice Governor, a member of the House of Representatives for the first district of Bohol, and now the 25^th Governor of Bohol.

He has been a consistent advocate of pro-life and pro-family causes, sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and conservation, eco-cultural tourism, empowerment at the barangay level, land reform, and the welfare of overseas workers.

In the Fourteenth Congress, he was the Chairperson of the House Committee on Tourism, Senior Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, and Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education.

He was also a member of the committees on Appropriations, Civil Service and Professional Regulation, Ethics and Privileges, Foreign Affairs, Games and Amusements, Higher and Technical Education, Justice, People’s Participation, Public Works and Highways, and Trade and Industry.

As a leader, he has been distinguished by various award-giving bodies for his outstanding and exemplary performance. In year 2000, he was declared a National Centennial Lingkod Bayan Awardee for Outstanding Work Performance by the Civil Service Commission.

For several years Governor Chatto, a U.P. alumnus, has sought the help of his U.P. Advisory Council. This has enabled several U.P. scholars to be involved in his governance of our province and of course be better informed about provincial affairs.

I have personally benefitted by my membership in the Advisory Council for my advocacy of transforming leadership, institutional reforms, and a peaceful and nonkilling Philippines and world. Indeed, Bohol is the only province that is openly involved in my peace and nonkilling advocacy.  As a non-resident Bol-anon, I am able to come home for provincial causes and nurture my pagka-Bol-anon.

Ug kitang mga  Bol-anon  proudly regard Bohol, as “Heart of the Islands. Truly Philippines.”

My email is pepevabueva@gmail.com

(By Jose “Pepe” Abueva)