SEATTLE , WASHINGTON STATE. – Gov. Erico Aumentado has successfully rallied the Boholano leaders in the United States and Canada to continue supporting Bohol 's Galing Pook award-winning program of poverty reduction for peace and development. Aumentado keynoted the Confederation of Boholanos , USA and Canada, Inc. (Conbusac) 13th biennial convention in this metropolis, which is home of Boeing, the world's largest aircraft manufacturer, and Willian Henry “Bill” Gates III, the richest American.

The governor who is slated to return home tomorrow cited the convention as doubly historic because it was held on July 4, the Independence Day of the country which is the showcase of democracy and the global leader – and on the occasion of Conbusac's 26th anniversary. Indeed, he said, history strengthens tonight Bohol 's partnership with Conbusac, which is the strong bridge of the province to the Boholanos in USA and Canada. The governor recalled that the partnership started with the 2002 Conbusac convention in Houston , Texas when the joint artificial insemination project to boost Bohol 's livestock industry was agreed with lawyer Bernardo Mag-aso as president. The project was implemented immediately by the Angelito Dano administration which expanded it with carabao and goat donations for the Let's Help Bohol Program. Reelected Conbusac President Carlos Cagaanan sustained the projects and added the P1 million contribution to the Bohol Philippine National Police Special Weapons and Tactics (PNP-SWAT) unit – the only one outside Metro Manila and Cebu .

He said the partnership helped so much in making Bohol the No.1 livestock producer in Central Visayas and in accelerating Bohol 's graduation from Club 20, the country's 20 poorest provinces before his term as governor. Today, Bohol is in the 55th position, already in the 25th higher classification out of 80 provinces according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2008 Human Development Index Report. Aumentado's extemporaneous address, punctuated by applauses, highlighted his station that the Dano and Cagaanan leaderships followed his governance philosophy of building upon the accomplishments of their predecessors to ensure the continuity of good projects. Now, the dividend is tremendous. he said, for according to Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, the project implementor, the joint project could easily be valued at P22 million worth. The governor also lauded Conbusac for adhering to President Abraham Lincoln's inspiring call for “unity” and the wise counsel of President John Kennedy to “ask not what your government can do for you, but ask what you can do for your government.” He also cited the Conbusac leaders for their transparency with accountability which he said is a “major cornerstone of his administration” and a tool for good governance. Responding to the governor's call, Cagaanan assured the former of Conbusac's continued partnership with the provincial government.

In addition, he said, Conbusac – with the commitment of financial aid by Dr. Neil Bonje, a leading practitioner in Chicago and past president – will bankroll the pond-less water fountain and the children's playground at the President Garcia Park in Tagbilaran City. Cagaanan said he will sign the memorandum of agreement with the provincial government and the contractor during the Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) gathering in Tagbilaran City on July 14-26. Meanwhile, the governor also inducted the new Conbusac officers for 2009-2011 headed by Cagaanan and Marino Aguhar of the Bohol Association in Texas, Inc. (Bati) as senior vice president. He also crowned Gwynne Toribio Masalta of Texas as Miss Conbusac 2009. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Silvino Masalta of Cabilao, Loon, Bohol . She was assisted by an ensemble – with Tessie Sumampong LaMourea of Washington State crownes as Miss Conbusac Tourism. From the Conbusac convention, both will also participate in the Sandugo Festival Parade around the main thoroughfares of Tagbilaran City on Sunday, July 26. Earlier on, Aumentado, assisted by Cagaanan and Rep. Florencio Garay of Surigao del Sur who is a native of Panggangan, Calape town, awarded plaques of recognition to the 10 Outstanding Boholanos in USA and Canada . They are Aguhar, Dano of Florida, Susan Espiritu-Dilkes of California , Randolfo Gallardo of California , Elizabeth Veloso-Garcia of New York , Dr. Anita Cal-Jackson of California , Dr. Nicanor Lopez of Pennsylvania , Mag-aso of New York , Celina Apalisok-Nielsen of California and lawyer Renato Tungol of Illinois . (Charina Jones)