CEBU CITY – The year 2023 was a year of growth for the province of Bohol, Gov. Aris Aumentado reported.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the province posted a 7.1 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in Aumentado’s first full year as governor.
AUMENTADO (FB)
Lawyer John Titus Vistal, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, said that with the local economy producing P171-billion worth of goods and services, Bohol remains the third largest economy in the Central Visayas region, next to Cebu province and Cebu City.
Bohol also generated P29.3 billion in investments based on the report of the Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office.
According to the PSA, another milestone in the primary agenda of recovery was inflation that went down by 47 percent from 8.7 percent in November 2022 to 4.6 percent in November 2023.
The province also recorded high tourism arrivals last year.
As of October 2023, 740,000 tourists arrived in the province, a 313 percent increase from 2021.
Aumentado said that among the major accomplishments last year were initiatives in development pillars of environmental sustainability, climate smart agriculture, sustainable tourism, micro small and medium enterprises/entrepreneurship, human capital/workforce, governance, infrastructure and utilities, health and social services, and information and communications technology.
He said a more comprehensive report will be presented when he delivers the State-of-the-Province Address.
Aumentado acknowledged the strong partnership with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite that passed 22 ordinances and 1,102 resolutions in support of the strategic governance roadmap.
He thanked heads of offices of the provincial government as well as national government agencies as he committed to strengthen efforts for growth and progress of the province in 2024 and in the coming years.
Other projects presented include the bulk water and wastewater and sewerage management system, the second circumferential highway project, the Bohol Business Park, a monorail system covering Tagbilaran and the towns of Corella, Albur, Maribojoc, and Panglao, and an integrated flood control system or Sabo Dam project.