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True to form, on transparency and good governance, top Capitol officials went on project site tour to check if they are effectively implemented or projects had not become ‘ghosts’.

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, Vice Gov. Concepcion O. Lim, members of the Provincial Board and other key officials of the province conducted a site inspection and evaluation of the programs and projects of the provincial government which have province-wide impact in rural communities.

According to National Statistical Coordination Board data in 2003, 2006, and 2010, poverty indicators remain high. The same is true with the National Household Targeting System data which has been made basis for pro-poor programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

To address poverty, the Chatto-Lim administration is banking on the advantages of a strong purok network through the recently launched Comprehensive Countryside Action Program by directing more livelihood to the people through partnerships with Local Government Units (LGUs) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

The first stop was the Bohol Biodiversity Complex in Bilar where massive production of tree planting materials is facilitated by the Bohol Environmental Management Office (BEMO). Inside the complex was recently installed Regional Climate Change Center.

At the OPV Livestock Center, cattle, native chicken, goats, and hogs are raised by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) for dispersal. This forms part of the Chatto administration's poverty alleviation advocacy with its banner title: Bahay Kubo FAITH (Food Always In The Home), HOPE (Herbal Organic Plant Enhancement) and CHARITY (Chicken Always Ready In The Yard).

From there, the group visited, a Multi-Species Freshwater Fish Hatchery facility inside the BISU Bilar Campus. and run by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA). They then had ceremonial fingerling seeding of 1,500 tilapia and hito fingerlings were done for the newly opened ponds. It was a enriching experienced as some officials shared that it was their first doing such activity.

The group also inspected the progress of the multi-million Pilar Modern Rice Processing Plant. It is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The processing plant, one of five in the country, is said to be the most modern in the region where drying, milling, and packaging will be done for the production of well-milled rice. The target operational date is February-March of 2012. The other processing plants are located in Aurora, Pangasinan, Davao del Norte, and Iloilo.

Another part of the itinerary was the Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center in Gabi, Ubay where organic fertilizers are produced and continuous research is done to supply quality and affordable fertilizer.

The next stop saw the board members all amazed with Gulayan sa Paaralan Program implemented by the San Agustin Elementary School in Sagbayan.

The Bohol Provincial Government (PGB) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-7), Bohol-Agricultural Promotion Center (B-APC) in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd Provincial and City Offices has been spearheading this program,

The “Gulayan sa Paaralan Program” (GPP) focuses on the involvement and participation of schoolchildren in agriculture. It not only promote good nutrition among children in school but will likewise introduce them to agri-business at their young age.

The group then travelled to nearby San Vicente Norte, Sagbayan to visit an Abag sa mga Mag-Uuma Farmer’s Center under the Bohol Corn Seed Assistance Program, a support project for food security.

The top leaders also made quick stops at the Carmen Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Center to turn over financial assistance as counterpart to the rice mill project that DA Sec. Proceso Alcala committed during his visit to the province, as well as at the Kalayaan Resettlement Center in Remedios, Danao to check on the situation of the Kasama sa Reporma (KRs), a Social Integration Program to encourage the KRs to lay down their arms and facilitate assimilation into the community.

The project visits also became avenue for project monitoring results vis-a-vis project budget as a preparatory step in the drafting of the 2012 budget. (Leah/EDCOM)

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