Gov. Edgar Chatto is scheduled to meet with Korean Ambassador Lee Hyuk tomorrow as the latter is set to arrive in the province for tomorrow’s inauguration and turnover of the Korean International Cooperation (KOICA)-assisted Rice Processing Complex in Pilar. Ambassador Lee Hyuk will lead the delegation of Korean Embassy and KOICA officials composed of Lim Jae-hoon, Counselor for Economic Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines; Kim Jinoh, Resident Representative, KOICA Philippine Office; Hwang Jaesang, Deputy Resident Representative, KOICA Philippine Office; Lauritz Eugene Baclig, Assistant Manager, KOICA Philippine Office; and Lee Young Saeng, Vice President, KOCAT, Inc. Also joining the group are Mdm. Won Whasoon, wife of Ambassador Lee and Hyun Jiyun, wife of KOICA Representative Kim. The P206M Modern and Integrated Rice Processing and Milling Complex in Pilar is a collaboration of KOICA and the Philippine Government through the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Provincial Government of Bohol, and LGU Pilar. The third of four such undertakings under the project in the country, the RPC aims to increase the income of farmers through an efficient rice post production system. Rice processing complexes have been constructed in Pangasinan and Iloilo while opening after Bohol will be Davao del Sur. Expected to join the Korean delegation on Monday’s affair is DA Secretary Proceso Alcala. They will lead the inauguration rites of the RPC through a ceremonial unveiling of marker and cutting of ribbon, followed by the blessing of the complex. A short turnover program has also been arranged to include the MOA Signing and Turnover of Operations of the Rice Processing Complex.

While Korean Ambassador Lee’s visit is primarily to inaugurate the rice facility, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto disclosed during Friday’s Kita Ug Ang Gobernador that in several meetings with Lee, the ambassador also looks forward to strengthening Korean-Boholano relations not only in agriculture but also in tourism, education, and culture and the arts. In February this year, Chatto led a Boholano delegation composed of Bohol Island State University President Dr. Elpidio Magante, Agricultural Promotions Center Chief Engr. Eugene C. Cahiles, BISU Bilar Campus Director Dr. Dioscoro Avergonzado, and Mr. Larry M. Pamugas, Officer In Charge, Provincial Agriculture the Office in a visit to Gyeongju City, Kyungbok, Busan, South Korea. The group visited replicable programs and projects sites like their waste management facility, landfill and recycling factory; agricultural projects like the greenhouses, natural cow and swine production, organic and natural gardens, agri-fishery product distribution centers, agri equipment factories and interaction with local universities. A team of Korean delegates such as Assemblyman Lee Do Sun and other Saemul Undong officials have also also visited our province in December of last year. Chatto also highlighted anticipation of both Korean and Philippine Governments in plans to open direct flights from Korea in the province. This move is sure to boost tourist influx in the province, as South Koreans have expressed great interest in experiencing Bohol, thereby opening more opportunities for progress and development through economic activity brought about by tourism and contributing to national growth. (Leah/EDCOM)