Bohol soars to greater heights this 2025 and beyond. This is how Cong. Edgar Chatto perceives the province’s growth and development.
“Bohol needs to expand its image not just as a famous agri-tourism destination but also as a livable, affordable island community complete with excellent environment and culture for work,” he stated.
This he said includes but is not limited to light manufacturing areas in an economic zone, research and development offices, data centers, leisure spaces, clean and healthful facilities with easy transport and communication connectivity like that of Singapore.
Chatto shared this insight following the province’s prospects in tourism and investment.
Lee Chiu Properties CEO David Leechiu, in an interview with Mimi Ong on Market Edge, had pointed out that that the tourism sector continues to be an exciting industry.
In particular, he cited Bohol and El Nido in Palawan sustaining its position as top destination choices.
For the investment sector, Bohol along with Iloilo and Bacolod are the top markets outside of Manila and Cebu as far as the office segment, he added.
Chatto underscored the Bohol Panglao International Airport with its upcoming concession agreement with Aboitiz for implementation as a major development.
The project is seen to increase the airport’s capacity to 2.5 million passengers by 2026, and almost 4 million by 2030 from the current 2 million.
Better port facilities as well as road networks and improved transport and telecommunications connectivity also factor in for the province’s sustained progress.
Chatto is optimistic that the province has been laying down the appropriate groundwork with more resilient power supply and improved health facilities.
These areas have been covered by the full operationalization of the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines this year that complements the implementation of the One Bohol Power agreement entered into by Distribution Utilities of BLCI, BOHECO I and II, an offshoot of the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group initiated by Chatto as then governor.
Moreover, the forthcoming opening of the Governor CelestinoGallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Cortes can be looked for forward to address health service delivery as one of the biggest health investments in the country.
Education and agriculture remain priority sectors, Chatto also emphasized, fostering top performing universities and colleges together with putting in interventions to ensure high rice self sufficiency level and increased food production.
These factors also contribute to an enhanced investment climate, opening opportunities for job creation and local economic growth, Chatto concluded.