Ushering in this year's first Presidential visit, the provincial government-led celebration of the first Bohol-Jiangxi Friendship Day on May 8 will bring to Bohol representatives and diplomats from the Province of Jiangxi and the People's Republic of China, and other guests who have been instrumental in propelling Bohol's development thrusts. There will be ceremonies in the morning for the celebration and another international-factor event in the afternoon, the groundbreaking of the Panglao-Bohol International Airport Development Project (PBIADP) where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the rites. Working committees that comprise the First Bohol-Jiangxi Friendship Day and Presidential Visit Organizing Team created based on the executive order that Governor Erico B. Aumentado issued started putting the pieces together to prepare for the First Bohol-Jiangxi Friendship Day celebration and presidential visit on May 8.

The Province of Bohol and the Province of Jiangxi of the People's Republic of China entered into a sisterhood agreement on May 8, 2006 identifying agriculture, education (science and technology), culture, and tourism as preliminary areas of exchange of ideas. In support, the Provincial Board passed an ordinance on May 16, 2006 declaring May 8 of every year as Bohol-Jiangxi Friendship Day. The provincial ordinance cites “the need to commemorate the event in order to enshrine the spirit of friendly cooperation, equality and mutual benefit with the end in view of common prosperity and development”.

The governor's executive order created the different working committees that shall comprise the First Bohol-Jiangxi Friendship Day and Presidential Visit Organizing Team with their respective composition. The committees started meeting last month to discuss the details and are now refining the preparations. Aumentado's executive order dated January 24, 2008 assigned Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr., to chair and Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) OIC Head John Titus Vistal to co-chair the executive committee. Vistal also chairs the secretariat committee with sector heads and staff of PPDO as members.

Antonieto Pernia, head of the Provincial Government Media Affairs (PGMA), takes charge of the publicity with the assistance of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Head Yvette Bede Matabalan. Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD) Head Enriqueta Butalid chairs the program, mass and cultural presentations committee, while Bohol Provincial Police Director Edgardo Ingking chairs the security committee, and Governor's Office Chief of Staff Emmanuel Caberte chairs the Transport committee. Provincial Financial Adviser Primitiva Ontong chairs the food and accommodation committee, and the budget and finance committee.

Bohol Employment and Placement Office Head Romulo Tagaan chairs the protocol and accreditation committee, while Provincial General Services Office OIC-Head Rosalinda Yu chairs the physical arrangements and logistics committee, and Department of Education-Bohol Superintendent Elpidio Jala chairs the welcome and departure honors. Vice-Governor's Office Chief of Staff Hilario Ayuban chairs the communications and invitations committee, while DepEd-city Superintendent Norma Varquez chairs the parade committee. (AV-PGMA)