CEBU CITY – Gearing up for its long-term development plans, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Bohol held its first full council meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15.
Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado, council chairman, presided over the meeting in which the goal to transform the province into a “smart city” was discussed.
“As chairperson, we led the full council meeting that was attended by representatives from various sectors. It was an opportunity for us to discuss on how we can bring further developments in Bohol,” said Aumentado.
“We listened to different presentations about regional and national development thrusts, strategic governance roadmap of the province, and achieving our goal to make us a smart province through the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP),” Aumentado added.
Aumentado said keeping the province free from African Swine Fever was also discussed.
Maria Sostheleen Padilla, assistant regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority-Central Visayas (NEDA 7), attended the meeting and explained the national and regional development thrusts as reference for the PDPFP.
Former NEDA-7 Director Efren Carreon provided insights on how the PDPFP can be instrumental in making Bohol a smart province.
It was also during the meeting that the move to convert Ubay town into a city was also endorsed. Bohol Rep. Vanessa Aumentado has filed a bill seeking to convert the city into a municipality.
"So are so happy about the PDC’s approval for Ubay to become a city. We will do our best that it will be approved by Congress but I have to admit, it is going to be a long process,” said the congresswoman, wife of Aumentado.