BY DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
Bohol’s being named as the first and only UNESCO Global Geopark of the Philippines marked significant increase in tourist arrivals, resulting to more jobs for Boholanos as engine for growth and development.
This was observed by Cong. Edgar Chatto, who as then governor, initiated the beginnings of the province’s bid with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
He recognized the help of a team of consultants from the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP-SURP) and University of Hamburg in Germany.
According to the news, the Holy Week rush showed fully booked flights and boat ferries with international and domestic tourists.
Hotels, resorts and other accommodations, including commercial places like tourist sites or attractions, malls, restaurants, big and small business enterprises were brimming with customers and clients.
This augurs well for Bohol’s economy, creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities for the people, Chatto said.
The multiplier effects due to forward and backward linkages with other industries results in a more vibrant economy, he added.
Chatto ended his term as governor with a record breaking 9.1% growth rate, higher than the national average of 6.7%.
In relation, poverty index data of the Philippine Statistics Authority showed a drop in Bohol’s poverty index from 30.60% in 2012 when Chatto was governor to 15.5% when he left the Capitol in 2019.
Cong. Chatto, who principally authored the Tourism Act of 2009 with Sen. Dick Gordon, said that being declared a UNESCO Global Geopark requires the preservation of the environment and adherence to sustainable tourism.
Being a UNESCO Global Geopark, Bohol can take a holistic approach to sustainable development, not only to preserve the province but also to share what we have without sacrificing our future generation, Chatto added.