First district barangay captains backed the continuation of programs initiated by Cong. Edgar Chatto.
The First Congressional District Office and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) convened the officials for a forum on the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) on August 23, 2024.
Chatto’s mention of past and future governance initiatives were received positive reactions from the barangay captains.
These include programs falling under the province’s priorities to push growth and development.
Chatto has bannered HEAT IT as a strategic agenda, spelled out as Health Education Agriculture Tourism Infrastructure and Information Technology.
Notably, he pushed for the strengthening of the Purok Network with Barangay Health Workers, lobbied for the expansion of the Governor Celestino Gallares Hospital and initiated the establishment of the Bohol Island State University (BISU) School of Medicine.
In Education, his landmark law Republic Act 9722 created BISU, the island province’s only state university. He also ensured funding for school buildings as well as scholarship programs along with Senior High School track initiatives such as Turo-Turismo, Eskwela Agrikultura and IT Center.
It can be recalled that Chatto also espoused self-sufficiency in agriculture with Bahay Kubo FAITH HOPE and CHARITY encapsulating Food Always In The Home, Herbal Organic Plant Enhancement and Chicken Always Ready In The Yard.
In Tourism, Chatto not only principally authored in Congress Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 and Republic Act 9446 Declaring the Province of Bohol as Eco-Cultural Tourism Zone but also made sure to prioritize airport and seaport development to usher tourism development.
Furthermore, he took on the challenge for the entire province to become a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Infrastructure development also marked Chatto’s leadership with roads and bridges developments through various national, local funding as well as overseas development assistance.
His leadership likewise paved the way for IT investment in fiber optic connectivity and Business Process Outsourcing or call centers.
The barangay captains also recognized Chatto’s marked consistency in character and leadership across the different levels of governance.
The first district solon explained the significance of planning and implementation, citing important projects such as Roads, Bridges and Solar Lights; Multi-purpose Buildings, Covered Court, Evacuation Center; Health Centers; AICS, TUPAD, AKAP and Medical Missions; Gallares Hospital in Tagbilaran and Cortes; BISU –Openning of School of Medicine; NGCP Cebu-Bohol Interconnection; Bohol-Panglao International Airport; Bohol New Capitol; Water Supply; Tagbilaran Drainage System; Municipal Hall, Barangay Hall and Public Market; National Museum; Church, towers and heritage sites restoration; Classrooms and educational facilities; seaports including the Catagbacan, Loon Cruise Ship Port.
Chatto is continuing initiatives such as the Panglao-Tagbilaran Connector Bridge; Gallares Cortes; DFA Consular Office; Catagbacan, Loon Cruise Ship Port; Hall of Justice; Bohol Island Special Economic Zone (BISEZ) in Loon, Calape, Tubigon and Maribojoc; Panglao Island Medical Center in Tawala; BISU Dauis Campus; BISU Tourism and Sports Institute in Balilihan Campus; Separate Municipal Trial Courts in Dauis and Panglao as well as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Bohol Branch.