Bohol Provincial Governor Edgar M. Chatto ironed out the details of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with representatives of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Korean construction firm KOCAK, Inc., giving the latter the authority to construct a modern rice processing complex in Pilar town. Pilar Mayor Wilson Pajo was very pleased with the turn-out of events and was quite positive that the project, which would cost approximately P196M, would be able to help boost the province's current rice self-sufficiency reported at 113% once said complex would begin its full-swing construction phase in February. KOCAT, Inc. Manager Lee Seung-Jae met with Gov. Chatto, Mayor Pajo, Pilar Municipal Engr. Diosdado C. Balili, Pilar MPDC Joseph R. Anania and Engr. Eugene Cahiles, Manager, Agricultural Promotion Center (APC) - DA RFU 7 and discussed revisions for the new MOA which would fit the current construction trend and ironed out the details needed for the project.

Chatto gave his commitment in behalf of the Provincial Government for the transfer of the P2.3M worth of funds needed for the project's transformer and the P200,000.00 which would be used for soil treatment. Construction is expected to be finished either in September or October this year in time for the harvest season so that the facility could be tested for efficiency and to give time to agencies concerned to correct whatever problems that may arise resulting from the project. According to Mayor Pajo, KOCAT would be connecting water lines in Pilar next week and at the same time, constructing bunkhouses for its field personnel to help expedite the project. Chatto is very happy that Bohol is now gearing towards the fulfillment of its goals this early under the leadership of the Chatto-Lim Administration especially on health, livelihood, food sufficiency and infrastructure which are great factors which could attract more investors for Bohol and seal our fate as globally competitive when compared with other places in the world. (jlv/EDCom)