By the Bohol Chronicle
Boholanos who voted for the "graft buster" presidential candidate during the May 10 polls can expect support in the development agenda of this tourism/agricultural province.
Pres. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III articulated his concern for Bohol's development during a conversation with Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang last Tuesday.
The 50-year old President conveyed his commitment as he started asking updates from the governor on recent projects, both completed and unfinished, that could spell a difference in Bohol's development track during the next six years.
Pres. Aquino, popularly known as "PNoy" is looking forward for a more lengthy discussion of Bohol's pending projects after Gov. Chatto requested for an appointment with the President as soon as the hectic schedule of the President can already allow a meeting to discuss Bohol's development agenda.
During the induction of officers of the League of Governors of the Phils. (LMP) where Chatto was inducted as one of the directors, Pres. Aquino eagerly asked the
Bohol governor on what happened to the pending Panglao Bohol International Airport.
The governor articulated to the President the existing risk posed by the short runway of the Tagbilaran City Airport which justifies the need for a new airport, outside the city.
Earlier, Gov. Chatto was also assured by Senator Kiko Pangilinan during his recent visit here that he will extend a "helping hand" in facilitating the airport project even as he said that perhaps, the proposed airport development will undergo a revisit in order for the new administration to be updated of its progress.
It may be recalled that the P6-billion airport project was about to be awarded to the rightful bidder few months before the term of Pres. Arroyo ended. However, due to some hitches encountered at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the awarding did not push through until Arroyo's term ended last June 30.
What was supposed to be awarded was Phase I of the project amid reports that the bidding was rigged as exposed by columnist Neal Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The pending airport project is expected to be a concern of the Chatto administration realizing the congestion at the existing Tagbilaran City Airport. The airport accommodates seven flights daily from Manila which congest passengers at the limited arrival and pre-departure areas.
Gov. Chatto is slated to convene a meeting shortly after getting updates from the MIAA on the status of the pending airport development project. It may be noted that the provincial government already acquired the lots in Panglao where the airport will be constructed.
The conversation of the President and the Bohol governor last Tuesday revived acquaintances between the two who worked together then as representatives of Tarlac and Bohol in Congress, respectively.
Aquino was to later become a senator while Chatto headed the tourism committee of the House of Representatives.
The President assured the governor that while it may be hard for the national funds to meet the country's needs this year, he will ensure that the situation will be a lot better next year.
Aquino vowed to fully support Bohol's priority programs outlined by Chatto, whose first 100 days focus on HEAT - Health, Education, Agriculture and Tourism - which is a sober advocacy approach to poverty reduction.
The governor has coined "HEAT Bohol" as one articulation of his more encompassing service mission slogan LIFE HELPS---Livelihood and tourism, Infrastructure, Food, Education and technology, Health, Environment, Leadership development, Peace and order, and Sports and youth development.
HEAT Bohol - LIFE HELPS is the governor's major guide post to the reinvigorated vision, mission and goals for Bohol.
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