Gov. Arthur Yap (left) shares his birthday cake with some of the people in Ubay. The cake was given to the governor by the beneficiaries of the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program for Senior Citizens and the local farmers of Ubay. Contributed photo
Gov. Arthur Yap celebrated his 56th birthday on Nov. 10, 2021. No rest for him on his birthday. It was still a working day and as they say, a “business as usual” day as he visited different barangays in Bohol in the delivery of services to the Boholanos.
Despite his hectic schedule that day, governor found time to thank all those who sent him greetings on his birthday via several platforms such as text messages, phone calls, the FB page, among others. He thanked those who greeted him on his special day via a static Facebook post.
In a report by the Provincial Information and Media Relations (PRIMER) office, it was learned that Yap shared his thoughts with his team at the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) on that day – his birthday. Yap said, “Many of you, in the past few days, have thanked me for my service to the people of Bohol. But the truth of the matter is I’m the one who is thanking all of you for giving me a chance, for the honor to serve as your governor.”
The governor added, “This position is very special and very sacred. We have 1.4 million citizens. How many living past governors do we have? We only have 3. We have Gov. Ed [Chatto], Gov. Rene [Relampagos] and Gov. [David] Tirol. Yes, only 3. Any time, there are 3 congressmen in the province but there is only 1 father of the province. That’s how special and how sacred this position is. Many people applied, but only a few people are given the chance to fulfill this role. That is the greatest inspiration why I work every day; why I have to do my best every day. It is because I understand that I carry this position not for myself but for the entire province and for all of you.”
Yap further said, “So as you thank me, the truth is I’m really thanking all of you for giving me the honor. This is something, the gratitude I can’t repay all of you.”
The Management Executive Board (MEB) of the PGBh, which is composed of different heads of offices had scheduled a fellowship dinner in preparation of the budget deliberation.
During the event, Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos extended his greetings to the governor on his birthday.
Relampagos said, “We, in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan supported your programs and projects not because we are political allies but because we believe in you. We know that in everything that you do, your goal is to help our fellow Boholanos and uplift their lives.”
Cong. Edgar Chatto who also graced the event shared his well wishes for the governor.
He compared the governorship to a sea vessel where the governor is its captain.
Chatto said, “You are the captain of Bohol’s ship. We may encounter the raging seas and storms along our way, but trust that we are ready to hold the rudders or row with you so we can be at our destination.”
In his response to all the well wishers, Yap said, “There is something to celebrate on my 56th birthday because of what we have achieved much together.”
“Somebody texted a while ago and said: ‘There is nothing I can wish you Gov because you have everything. You’ve worked hard. You’ve reached the position of governor. Your family is safe.’ It made me think”, Yap revealed.
Yap quipped, “I’ve already secured my place in our history. But I feel compelled to, at least, ask for another mandate because I feel that being able to help our province nga makatabok sa hulga sa pandemya is important and that is what we have been doing so far. But, what’s more important, I think is not only that we were able to cross the raging seas together but the challenge for us now is how are we going to bring back the lives of our people to where they were before the pandemic and possibly to improve on the lives of our people and sustain these.”
The governor added, “If I was able to cross the river or the seas, I was able to do it because of you. Sa tinuod lang, it’s impossible that the governor does it alone. It’s always the governor and the provincial government team, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, all the people who are helping all of us.”
“It is easy to write a program. It is difficult to get people to believe in the program and to get it funded. That is always the challenge and in my case, swerte ko tungod kay, at least, napalibutan ko sa mga tao na sensero na gustong makatabang nako sa trabaho. So, I thought about it. Yes, we are all very lucky”, Yap said.
TWO MISSIONS TO FULFILL
Yap also reminded the PGBh department heads about the two pressing challenges that need to be addressed.
The governor said, “There is still a mission to fulfill. Two challenges: to get us back on track and to hopefully sustain whatever gains that we can give to the people.”
Yap also reminded the department heads of their roles and tasks in fulfilling these missions. He added, “When my time is up and when it’s time to go, when they write my chapter in Bohol’s history, all of you are part of that history, are part of that chapter. So I leave that now to you.”
“I hope your answer will be: Gov, naa pa tay pending na buhatonon. We still have a pending job to do. We have to return Bohol to its glory and we have to find the way to sustain this”. Because what happened in the pandemic showed us how fragile the economy is and how fragile they all are. Imagine, because of this pandemic, na shutdown ta. We have to learn how to diversify. We have to learn how to add new activities. There are many opportunities. Together, we have to find out what those opportunities will be. And along the way, as we open up more opportunities, let us also open the way for future leaders. We can’t be successful leaders if can’t prepare the way for people to follow us and to join us”, the governor said.
TRAVEL EXCHANGE: OPENING OF OPPORTUNITIES
As the governor reminded the PGBh team to keep the economy open and churning, he also tasked team members to open up more opportunities for our people.
This is why, the PGBh welcomed the delegates of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Travel Exchange on Nov. 10, 2021.
The DOT officials from Regions 1, 2 and 3 visited Bohol to explore possibilities of bringing tourists in Bohol soon.
The PGBh has been asking the DOT for this travel exchange, in order to open a new route from and to Bohol via Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
For his part, the governor thanked Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat for her action on the request of the PGBh and likewise thanked Regional Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano for facilitating the event.
KASADYA CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Another event that Yap has done is the opening of the old Tagbilaran Airport for the Kasadya Christmas Bazaar.
While Coronavirus disease (Covid) cases are finally declining to just a few more than a hundred, efforts of the PGBh are now focused on how to help the province’s economy recover.
Yap led the soft launching of the Kasadya Christmas Bazaar in a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony with some provincial government officials.
The said bazaar, with more than 50 booths and shops, is a place where customers can buy agricultural products, ornamental plants, handicrafts, food, and snacks. The shops are owned by Bohol farmers, fisherfolks, small entrepreneurs, and youth. The bazaar is an initiative under the leadership of Yap to help people earn some income despite the pandemic.
“This bazaar is an avenue for our farmers, fisherfolks and small businessmen to sell their products without those extra trading layers thus having the income go directly into their pockets”, Yap said.
“Aside from helping our farmers sell their products without the trading layers, we are also helping consumers buy products at a much lower price,” the governor added.
In another development, Yap also led the oath taking of the members of the Tagbilaran City Airport Food Concessionaire.
The bazaar is open until the end of the year with the possibility of having it for the whole year. It is also set to have a bigger launch with other government officials soon.