Tarsiers in Bohol need to fear no more.

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto recently launched the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the 167.5-hectare Tarsier Conservation and Protected Area in the forested lands in the municipalities of Corella and Sikatuna. The activity for the world’s smallest primates was witnessed by Czech Republic Deputy on Foreign Affairs Tomas Dub, Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar, League of Provinces chair Chavit Singson, father of Bohol Tourism Anos Fonacier, Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II, provincial board members and LGU officials of Corella and Sikatuna headed by Mayor Jose Nicanor Tocmo and Mayor Jose Ellorimo, Jr., respectively, both of whom signed the MOA earlier. The project is a joint conservation agreement of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENR), the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc. (PTFI) and the two municipalities.

Other signatories were Sec. Ramon Paje of the DENR and lawyer Urbano Lagunay of the PTFI. Funds for the project came from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of then Cong. Chatto, now Governor of Bohol, and was coursed through the DENR for implementation. The activity though was not the only one graced by the Czech delegation which specifically came over to Bohol to honor partnership relations with the provincial government. Gov. Chatto also escorted Deputy Dub and party to the Sevilla Hydroelectric Power Plant, a joint venture enterprise between the Municipality of Sevilla and the Bohol Electric Cooperative located in Ewon. The facility was erected by a Czech Republic contractor in 2006, which consequently started its operation in November 2008. Chatto said that “mere thank you for the Czech Republic was never enough because of the strong affiliation and support that its officials are giving for the Province of Bohol.” “Rest assured that your full support for the Province of Bohol would be fully appreciated and equally returned,” Chatto warmly told the Czech officials. (jlv/EDCom)