For years, Boholano nursing graduates boarded ships and buses before dawn. They left their families, their province, their comfort, just to chase a license in Cebu or Manila.

This August, they will walk to the exam hall instead – right here in Bohol.

The Professional Regulation Commission will hold on August 29-30, 2026, the Nursing Licensure Examination in Bohol for the very first time. 417 Boholano examinees will take their exams at Tagbilaran City College (TCC). It is a first in PRC history, and for many, it feels like coming home.

And who is the man behind it? Former Bohol 1st District Congressman Atty. Edgar M. Chatto!

PRC-7 Regional Director Narcival “Randy” Taquiqui made the call himself to break the news to Chatto. After years of lobbying, of letters and follow-ups, the answer was finally yes.

“It fulfills a long-standing request Congressman Chatto made during his time in Congress,” Taquiqui said.

An earlier attempt failed, not for lack of will, but for lack of manpower to secure the exam materials. This time, Taquiqui said he personally committed to deliver the questionnaires to Bohol. No more excuses. No more waiting.

This milestone did not come out of nowhere. It stands on groundwork Chatto laid years ago. During his term as congressman, Chatto pushed for a PRC offsite office in Bohol. He provided the fixtures, furniture, and materials needed to set it up. Today, that office sits on the 3rd floor of the old capitol building, facing St. Joseph Cathedral. The PRC just renewed its lease for another five years.

Because of that office, Bohol has already hosted PRC Criminology and Teacher Licensure Exams. Now, Nursing joins the list.

Taquiqui also thanked Rep. Geesnell “Baba” Yap and Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap for opening Tagbilaran City College as the venue. He cited Gov. Aris Aumentado for supporting the office’s needs during his term now.

For Chatto, it has always been about one thing: bringing government closer to the people. He did it with the DFA satellite office. He did it with PRC. Now he’s doing it with Nursing.

Gratitude, and a future closer to home

To the 417 examinees this August, this means less expense, less travel, less fear. Parents won’t have to send their children across the sea. Students can review in the same rooms where they dreamed.

Director Taquiqui also said he admires Chatto’s advocacy for the environment, a value he shares. But more than that, he said he is glad to serve in a province where public service still means showing up.

“Bohol professionals may now file license renewals directly at the PRC office in the province,” Chatto noted. Small sentence. Big impact.

From classrooms to board exam halls, Bohol has always produced nurses with heart. Now, the province gets to welcome them as professionals, without asking them to leave first.

That is what leadership looks like. Not loud. Just steady. Just present.

Thank you, Congressman Chatto, for seeing the need, for asking again, and for not letting go until Bohol got its turn.