Of a resolve that is polar opposite to the ravages of earthquake, Gov. Edgar Chatto has strongly projected Bohol to be busier in 2014 with its billions-worth massive reconstruction. Boholanos face the “greatest challenge of their lifetime,” and the governor rallied his people to “proceed with the next chapter of making Bohol rise greater” than before the tough disaster. The provincial leader shared his optimism of a very busy Bohol in the immediate future starting next year when he inducted the new officers of the Bohol Bankers Association on Wednesday. The massive rehabilitation entails heavy spending on infrastructure and consequently forces faster fund inflows, according to Chatto in stressing his projection in the Capitol ceremony on Friday recognizing all those who bled for Bohol in calamity crisis. A thanksgiving mass preceded the recognition program which would have been intended for the general Christmas party of the provincial government.

The governor cancelled Capitol's traditional December merrymaking in sympathy with the victims not just of the devastating Bohol quake but also of the supertyphoon that dismantled Leyte, Samar and other Visayas areas. Chatto said the government's robust spending plus private financing and support from other external sources in the massive rehabilitation will mean jobs and livelihood which can enhance the recovery process. The governor on Thursday mustered the full support of the Regional Development Council (RDC) for Bohol's rebuilding plan in its meeting in Cebu City. The national government will raise next year's spending for infrastructure from three percent (3%) to even between five and seven percent (5-7%) of the gross domestic product (GDP) on account of the reconstruction following the recent worst calamities in central Philippines, including Bohol. Simultaneous with the rehabilitation will be the mid-2014 construction of the over P7 billion new Bohol airport, a major infrastructure reform which the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said could help remove the constraints to inclusive growth.

“The challenges in these extraordinary trying times are mightily inspiring us to move higher, to make a bigger leap,” he said in the Capitol ceremony also attended by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) led by Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim. Even before the phenomenal disaster, the Chatto-Lim administration already aimed at what it calls the “BIG LEAP”---“Bohol's Inclusive Growth Leads to Equitable and Accelerated Prosperity.” Immediately after the thanksgiving-recognition rites, Lim led the SP in passing on its first reading the province annual budget for 2014 costing over P1.515 billion, according to Floor Leader Cesar Tomas Lopez who moved for its approval. Chatto was also keen on much higher remittances from the Boholano overseas workers as they more than substantially contribute to the rebuilding of the shelters and lives of their families and communities.

Thru the National Housing Authority (NHA), the government released the first batch of aids of almost P389 million for shelter materials of 38,801 families who were among those rendered homeless in the quake, the governor reported on his weekly Friday morning media forum “Kita ug Ang Gobernador.” The assistance involves P10 worth of materials for each recipient family or household. The total which NHA so far released thru the respective LGUs was broken down into the following: P81.90 million to Loon for 8,190 families/households; P71.83 million, Tubigon, 7,183 families; P42 million, Sagbayan, 4,241 families; P41.29 million, Catigbian, 4,130 families; P38.33 million, Calape, 3,833 families; P33.47 million, Maribojoc; P31.78 million, Antequera, 3,178 families; P28.20 million, Carmen, 3,220 families; and P18.79 million, San Isidro, 1,879 families. More shelter funds have been allocated, including those from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which will also be provided to the victims in other areas. With the Department of Education (DepEd), the governor expected the massive reconstruction and rehabilitation of classrooms and other school facilities also worth several hundreds of millions next year.

IN HONOR OF SACRIFICES

The recognition program in lieu of Capitol's general Christmas party was in honor of all who sacrificed their time and resources in responding to the quake emergencies and assisted in the rehabilitation task. The governor said there are great reasons to thank for Bohol's fast recovery from the quake - and more for the fact that the already quake-torn island-province was spared from the Yolanda catastrophe. The closing year of 2013 has recorded a lot of achievements for Bohol, but also “showcased how “we, Boholanos---and we, in the government---could sacrifice for our people in miseries, for each other,” Chatto told his Capitol family. Just lately, Executive Secretary Edwin Lacierda called the governor to inform him that Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III “bragged” once more in a Cabinet meeting about the Bohol model of emergency response and recovery effort. “I am prouder being a Boholano,” Chatto quoted the Palace official and president's alter-ego as saying to him. The global community was “amazed” by how Bohol has moved on in so short a time after the most destructive, deadliest quake put the province on its knees. For the governor, the earthquake of “stunning magnitude and intensity of grief and lessons” has caused this Christmas “more meaningful and reflective” for the Boholanos. “Our sacrifices have proved how we are so imbued with love for each other, which is truly the message of Christmas,” he said. (Ven rebo Arigo)