Exemplary Boholanos were honored on the 171st anniversary of the province’s founding on July 22, 2025.
Former governor and first district congressman Atty. Edgar Chatto was conferred the Governor’s Excellence Award for Public Service and Governance.
Chatto was recognized for his outstanding commitment and unwavering dedication to public service, marked by integrity, efficiency, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people.
The provincial government said this recognition is both a tribute to his exemplary service and a reminder of the vital role good governance plays in the progress of the province.
It serves as an inspiration for current and future public servants to lead with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to the common good, they added.
In a social media post on his official page, Gov. Aris Aumentado cited Chatto’s leadership and its lasting impacts.
“Atty. Chatto, ang imong halangdon nga pag-alagad sa katawhang Bol-anon nagbilin og lig-on nga pundasyon sa atong lalawigan.
Pinaagi sa imong liderato, daghang mga reporma, programa, ug kalambuan ang nasaksihan sa Bohol—sama sa imprastraktura, edukasyon, turismo, ug pagpalig-on sa lokal nga ekonomiya.
Imong gipasiugda ang usa ka pamunoan nga malumo, malinawon, ug matinud-anon.
Dili malimtan sa kasaysayan sa Bohol ang imong dakong papel sa pagdala sa atong lalawigan ngadto sa mas lapad nga kahigayunan.
Ang imong paningkamot sa serbisyo publiko naghatag og inspirasyon sa daghang mga lider ug kabatan-onan nga ipadayon ang maayong pamuno ug serbisyo alang sa katawhan,” Aumentado stated.
Chatto, for his part, expressed gratitude for the accolade.
“We are humbled by this recognition given to us by the Provincial Government of Bohol during the celebration of the 171st Bohol Day. We express our gratitude to our provincial officials, local government officials, public and private sectors, Non Government Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Faith-based Groups and the entire Boholano community for allowing us to serve our beloved province for 43 fulfilling years. Making a difference in the life of others is an aspiration that we endeavor to pursue as our contribution to the growth and development of our country,” he stated.
As former governor, Chatto had steered the province’s growth to greater heights, with the province registering a 9.1% growth rate towards the end of his three term tenure, higher than the national average in that period.
Poverty incidence level also registered a significant drop from 36.6% in 2009 to a record low of 15% in 2018.
Chatto had espoused HEAT IT Bohol as a development agenda, building on health, education and infrastructure investments and paving the way for growth in the agriculture, tourism and Information Technology industries.
Under his leadership, Bohol was hailed as Best Governed Province in the country under the Department of the Interior and Local Government Local Governance Performance Management System. The province also reaped grand slam awards for Seal of Good Governance as well as Most Business Friendly Province nationwide by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Chatto was also named among the Ten Outstanding Governors of the Philippines.