Two mega projects—this time involving a reclamation project of a portion of Panglao island's shoreline and a cable bridge connecting Bohol to Cebu via Getafe town, were promoted as the next big thing for commerce and tourism in Bohol thereby open for investment to Korean businessmen. The “salesman” in this instance was Gov. Erico Aumentasdo who was one of the keynote speakers on the occasion of the Environment Session held during the Korea-Philippines Economic Cooperation Forum held last November 5-6 at the Hotel Shilia in Seoul, Korea. The guest of honor was Senator Edgardo Angara.

In his speech entitled Green Bohol Towards a Green Philippines and Asia , the Bohol governor recalled the relations of the Filipinos and Koreans during the Korean war. Saying that history taught the two nations to fight side by side with the UN forces, Gov. Aumentado described the relation as a baptism of fire and blood has laid the foundation of a strong, vibrant, friendly ties and cooperation between Korea and the Philippines. He added that as ideal partners for development in this part of the world, the partnership gives way to tapping Korea 's high financial wherewithal and technology to match the Philippines ' rich natural resources.

In celebration of the historic episode 60 years ago, the keynote speaker outlined his speech with a road map towards a green growth strategy between the two countries, and ultimately, Green Asia, as strongly advocated by President Lee during the recent Korean-Asean Summit. Using the forum in providing him the opportunity to present Green Bohol as a Multi-Industry Cluster or MIC investment haven, the governor cited the province's humble contribution to combat global warming and help spur the country's entry into Green Asia.

VEHICLE FOR NEW PARTNERSHIP

As ideal partners in development, Aumentado was selling the idea of enticing the Koreans to invest in the tourism oriented project like the one proposed by the provincial government in tandem with the Oasis Leisure Islands Development Corp. Conceptualized as a land reclamation similar to the Sanctuary Lake Resort in Melbourne , Australia , the ambitious project is promoted as a tourism economic zone under the newly-enacted National Tourism Act. The governor's Korean audience was given a bird's eye view of the project's facilities for tourism with emphasis on hotels and resorts-including a golf course—for more accommodation of tourists and visitors. On the basis that Korea has a win-win MIC model for shared interest between the two countries, Aumentado cited the country's green investments as its new growth drive with the Philippines as the industrial base build up as the vehicle for take off. Although it was only mentioned in passing, the Bohol governor also took the opportunity to inform his Korean listeners about Bohol 's plan to be more accessible to investors with the construction of the Panglao Bohol International Airport . He said the construction will be started first quarter of next year.

But the most significant mega project, according to Aumentado if, it could be realized, would be the Bohol-Cebu Multi-Access Friendship Bridge whose Bohol anchor is in Getafe town about 14 kilometers away from the proposed Talibon Special Economic Zone. Funded by the Korean government through its Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to the tune of US$2.9, the Talibon facility is a research center for algae culture. The same Korean agency was responsible for grating US$1 million for the feasibility study and detailed engineering design for the upgrading of the Malinao Dam in Pilar. The governor was also profuse in his thanks to the Korean government for granting Bohol a total of P315 million for the construction of the rice processing complex in Pilar. The rice facility figured in a ground-breaking activity held two weeks ago with Korean officials led by Ambassador Choi Joong-Kyung in attendance.