TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – At least 12 mayors in Bohol came together and launched a crusade which they hope would push good governance in the province on Thursday, a day before the start of the campaign period for local candidates.

The 12 Bohol mayors threw their support to the Crusada Alang sa Limpyong Pangobierno para sa mga Bol-anon (Crusade for Good Governance for the Boholanos. At the same time, the mayors also expressed their alleged dissatisfaction over the performance of Bohol Governor Art Yap.

“For the past three years, Boholanos have suffered from the lack of good governance and empathy by the current administration,” the group of mayors said in a statement.

“The people have seen the current administration’s brand of leadership which has prioritized other things rather than giving them the services that they deserve,” the statement added.

The mayors also took the opportunity to air their grievances over what they described as dismal Covid19 and Typhoon Odette responses.

Among those present during the launching were Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, Panglao Mayor Nila Montero, Lila Mayor Arturo Piollo II, Ubay Mayor Constantino Reyes, San Isidro Mayor Diosdado Gementiza Jr, Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo, Garcia-Hernandez Mayor Tita Baja, Dimiao Mayor Randolf Ang, Jagna Mayor Joseph Ranola, Candijay Mayor Christopher Tutor, Getafe Mayor Casey Shaun Camacho and Sevilla Mayor Juliet Dano.

In forming the crusade, the mayors effectively expressed their support for Bohol Second District Aristotle Aumentado, who is challenging the reelection bid of Yap in the May 9 elections.

Aumentado thanked the mayors for supporting his candidacy.

Aumentado said he decided to run for governor in response to the clamor for change in the province.

“Gusto nato bag-ohon ang Bohol. Unahon nato ang Bol-anon.Limpyohon nato ang Bohol kay grabe naman ang alleged kahiwian (We want change in Bohol. We will prioritize the Boholanos. We will clean Bohol because the alleged wrongdoings have worsened),” Aumentado said.

Aumentado said that if elected as governor, he will make Bohol business friendly and will prioritize the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“These MSMEs comprise the majority of businesses in the province. They are the backbone of our economy so we really need to help them,” said Aumentado, whose late father Erico served as governor and representative of the province’s second district.

The younger Aumentado is serving his last term as congressman of the province's second district.

He said that one of his accomplishments was the upgrading of the province’s Don Emilio Evalle Memorial Hospital from a 15-bed capacity to 300-bed capacity.

“Our target is to put up a national hospital for each district in Bohol,” said Aumentado.

Bohol is composed of three districts with 47 towns and one component city