Governor Erico Aumentado intends to establish a road map for development that will stabilize the foundation of the provincial government for the successor of the Aumentado-Herrera to inherit after 2010. And, that covers stable water supply, standard health services, empowered agriculture, sustainable power supply, transportation and environment. For stable and sustainable water supply, Aumentado announced in his weekly radio program, Governor's Report, on Friday that the Local Government Development Project (LGDP) funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) will present tomorrow the Bohol Integrated Water Master Plan (BIWMP). BIWMP will serve as the water supply blueprint for the entire Bohol , especially for the eyed Metro Tagbilaran that will include Tagbilaran City , Municipality of Panglao and the neighboring towns, Aumentado said.

The LGDP team led by its program adviser, Linda Paredes, will present the BIWMP at the President Garcia Hall in Capitol after the flag ceremony at the Acacia Garden. From this point, Aumentado said he will find further special development assistance for the master plan feasibility study, then for the implementation of the project. Aumentado also cited that top guns of Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI) had already expressed interest in tapping the upper Abatan River which will form part in the implementation of the BIWMP where the former Provincial Planning and Development coordinator, Lawyer Juanito Cambangay, will represent the provincial government, as the consultant on official development assistance and international relations. The master plan will serve as guide for the next provincial administration in proper utilization of the province's water resources for potable water supply in the households and irrigation facilities.

BRIDGE

Another infrastructure support that Aumentado wants to ensure for the Boholano people is the Multi-access Friendship Bridge that will connect Bohol and Cebu through the edge of Getafe of Bohol side and Cordova of Cebu side. Aumentado said he is still working on the funding and assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the feasibility study and advanced detailed engineering design of the project. The Provincial Development Council that Aumentado chairs proposed that the project will essentially improve the economy of the province of Bohol through convenient, safe and reliable mode of land-based transport facility as it is expected to generate new interest and investments for the province of Bohol and enhance economic opportunities for agro-industrialization, tourism development and provision of social services. The construction of the Bohol-Cebu Multi-Access Bridge will also provide the fundamental infrastructure linking the two provinces to support future inter-provincial projects such as the Bohol-Cebu Water Project and the Cebu-Bohol Power Project, if the feasibility study will find it socio-economically and environmentally viable. The bridge will serve as channel in bringing in the excess power supply from Cebu . In return, Bohol can extend to Cebu , possible excess water supply from Inabanga River and other water sources in the province. The PDC also considers that the project can provide opportunities for Getafe and for its nearby towns to position themselves as an alternative area for residential or dwelling area for Boholanos working in Cebu, or for Cebuanos who want to live in a more conducive, quiet and affordable area like Bohol.

BHIP 3

On stabilizing Bohol's irrigation infrastructure, Aumentado announced that on Tuesday, November 27, NIA will sign a MOA with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the grant to finance the feasibility study of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 3 and the satellite small water impounding projects in Bolot-bolot, Buenavista;  Hipali, Danao; and Loboc Valley small water impounding project. The country representative of KOICA and NIA Administrator Marcelino Tugaoen Jr. will represent each party in the signin ceremony at the Tarsier Hall. KOICA officials will then proceed to Bohol Beach club and stay for one more day to assess other project proposals.

PANGLAO SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Aside from making follow-up on the ODA funding for the feasibility study on BHIP 3 during his recent trip to South Korea , the governor also presented the request for KOICA to fund the feasibility study on the advance detailed engineering on the Panglao Sewerage and Drainange System that PDC had proposed. This is to brace for the expected increase of economic activity in Panglao in the light of the operation of the international airport in 2010. The infrastructure committee of the Regional Development Council tackled last Friday, the provincial government's proposal to ask ODA grant from the Economic Development Cooperation fund of South Korea Export-Import Bank.

BCRIP 3

The PITE Inter-Agency Task Force also discussed during its 27th meeting on Friday, the issue on the Bohol Circumferential Road Project (BCRIP) Phase 3 which Aumentado said had already been approved by the RDC. Aumentado expressed lament, though, that it was already endorsed to the ICC technical board of NEDA that JBIC would fund the project, but it was later learned that a top official of NEDA reportedly ordered to present to China for funding instead. On this, Aumentado said he will verify the matter with DPWH, citing that it was the Pacific Consultants International who prepared, for free, the feasibility study on the Bohol Circumferential Road which will develop Panglao circumferential road, Panglao center route of the two causeways connecting Panglao and Tagbilaran City and the Tagbilaran by-pass road to Baclayon diversionary road and the sa so-called package 2 which includes the Anda Peninsula Highway from Guindulman to Anda, Anda to Cogtong, Cogtong to Candijay, Candijay to Mabini, and Mabini to Ubay.

Hospital HEALTH

The provincial government is just waiting for the permit from the city government of Tagbilaran for the construction of the P20-million building to house the Bohol Diagnostic Center in Dao. In running the diagnostic center, the provincial government had forged partnership with HomeReach Foundation and the FCB Foundation, especially in securing the equipment. The proponents of the project will be endorsing the management plan for the project to the Provincial Board. The governor also announced that by December 1, the provincial govvernment will start operating the ultra-sound facilities in Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital in Talibon, Teodoro Galagar District hospital in Jagna, Simeon Toribio District Hospital in Carmen and the Castillo District Hospital in Loon. Also, next month, Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and DILG Usec. Austere Panadero will be here to inaugurate the P10-million building that would house additional private wards in Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital and to install the necessary medical equipment.

President Arroyo had tasked Panadero to take charge in upgrading public hospitals in the country which include the eight district hospitals in Bohol and the Don Emilio Del Valle Memorial National Hospital in Ubay which are eyed for upgrading based on the governor's recommendation. As counterpart, the provincial govenrment will construct an additional building at the Teodoro Galagar District hospital in Jagna, Simeon Toribio District Hospital in Carmen and the Castillo District Hospital in Loon, which funding will be taken from