Pretty good future awaits Bohol ‘cause of its leaders

Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III is optimistic and confident of a pretty good future for Bohol and its people because of the kind of leaders they have today topped by Gov. Edgar Chatto. On his fifth visit to the province since the devastating earthquake, the president again hailed the governor for his consistency, persistence and perseverance in securing national support for Boholanos' welfare. Aquino on Friday launched the country's first digital fabrication laboratory (FabLab), a shared services facility (SSF) for product prototyping, at the Bohol Island State University (BISU). Another SSF was launched in Tubigon but this was intended to upgrade the capacity of the raffia loomweavers and meet the demand of the global fabric market.

The president, whose party included Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sec. Gregory Domingo, arrived in Bohol already after the Tubigon activity. The president admired the diligence of the governor and other Bohol officials so that Chatto would even call him thrice, not to mention his many text messages, daily in pursuing certain development projects or aids to his social service programs. Aquino reiterated his being amazed by the rock resolve of Chatto and fellow Bohol leaders in making the province recover from the wounds and pains of the epic earthquake. Yesterday, the governor assumed a beaconing figure in the launching of the Habitat Youth Build 2014, which converged thousands of young people in a pledge to help rebuild over 8,000 core houses for homeless victims in 17 towns hardest hit by the disaster.

There was a symbolic build of six houses on a Habitat site in Loon in the morning by volunteers led by the Habitat Youth Council, according to Charlie Ayco who is the Boholano chief executive officer and managing director of the Habitat for Humanity Philippines. In full action until the next several months, the Youth Build is themed “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana! (Let's gather. Let's build. Let's do it!)” This is in support of “Padayon Bohol,” a crying advocacy for sustainable development and inclusive growth but which has since loudly amplified the motivation to rebuild and rise from ruins. Aquino said Chatto would always find other right channels like his cabinet men if he would be out of reach, with other Bohol officials such as Rep. Rene Relampagos readily backing him up. “Bilib talaga tayo sa kanila.  Kung ganito nga po kasipag ang inyong liderato, di po nakakapagtakang may magandang kinabukasang naghihintay sa mga Boholano. Sila po ang mga lingkod-bayan na talagang hindi kayo iiwan sa oras ng pangangailangan," the president said.

As the president hailed his leadership already for the nth time, Chatto has been chosen the awardee under of the government tourism category of the 10th Tourism Awards of the Rotary Club of Manila next month, according to club president Rodulfo Bediones and director Robert Lim Joseph.  Before the president's latest Friday visit, Sen. Loren Legarda commended the harmonious efforts of Bohol leaders in the face of the enormous challenge left by the great earthquake. All these bear a crucial message---that more resilient communities emerge from local collective action, the lady senator wrote the governor. Legarda said that as a leader in closest proximity to the people, Chatto also truly has a vital role in translating national policies, plans and programs into concrete and visible actions for Bohol citizens. Days to Aquino's May 2 visit, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia, Jr. informed Chatto of how a recovery support group called the Bohol Restoration Group (BRG), who includes Americans, has been so awed and impressed by Boholano resilience. In his letter, Cuisia assured the governor that the group, who came along with the envoy in his recent visit here, is even more determined to assist, especially in restoring the damaged churches. (Ven rebo Arigo)