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--culled from the 2004 Accomplishment Report of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado

Consistent with our thrust of a sustainable economic development of Bohol, the Aumentado-Herrera Administration has continued agro-industrial development and tourism as its main economic drivers.

Today, Bohol remains as the No. 1 agricultural producer in Central Visayas, especially with its massive rice and corn hybridization program, fishery and livestock development, and rootcrops, mango, coconut and oil palm plantations all over the province. According to Regional Director Eduardo Lecciones, Jr., Bohol produces 66% of rice, 54% of fish and other marine products, 44% of livestock and 72% of rootcrops in Central Visayas. It tops also in the production of coconut and mangoes, and now, is the only province in Luzon and the Visayas engaged in oil palm plantation.

            The provincial administration has tapped cooperatives, people’s organizations, farmers and fisher-folk associations, the business sector and funding institutions to support Bohol’s agro-industrial development. The most outstanding cooperative, the Bohol Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (BOFAMCO), has produced hybrid rice seeds under the Provincial Government’s A x B and A x R program, for the rice hybridization project and even for export to Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Leyte and Southern Leyte.

         For 2004, the Provincial Government has loaned the amount of P1.5 million to BOFAMCO for its hybrid rice seed production. This loan has been repaid by BOFAMCO.

            On the other hand, because of its varied attractions and culture, Bohol also remains as the No. 1 tourism destination in the country. To sustain and maintain this position, we are developing “new interests” to complement the “usual” sights –Chocolate Hills, Blood Compact Shrine, white sandy beaches, the Loboc River Cruise, tarsier conservation, Bcalayon and other churches.

            The new interests include ecological and cultural tours to the Cambuhat River and village in Buenavista, the biggest man-made mangrove plantation in Banacon Island in Getafe, Panadtaran in Candijay, and Basdio in Guindulman, and whale– and dolphin-watching in Pamilacan Island off Baclayon that won for us another Galing Pook Award for excellence and innovation in governance this year. Additionally, Banacon and Inabanga are the Philippines’ nominees to the Ramsar International Wetlands Conservation Awards, LGU and People’s Organization categories, respectively.

            Likewise, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has declared this year the Ubay Agri-Park and Wild Duck Sanctuary as the lone agricultural park in the Visayas and Mindanao, qualifying the UAP to more investments. It is a DOT- accredited eco-agri-tourism destination today.

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