Bohol, Albay provinces forge economic pact

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines –The provinces of Albay and Bohol undoubtedly share a lot of things but the common of them all is tourism, which was the top agenda on the economic cooperation agreement that they signed recently.

The two provinces stated that their partnership will “create larger and new markets, improve their economic efficiency and consumer welfare, enhance the attractiveness and vibrancy of their markets, and expand trade and investment not only between them but also in the region.” 

They also stressed that tourism is an important industry for the economies of their respective provinces, and hence both would “cooperate in promoting and developing tourism in the provinces.”

Governors Edgar Chatto of Bohol and Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay signed the agreement, during a meeting at the Bohol Tropics Resort Club in this city, spelling out various aspects of cooperation and development linkage to spur their respective province’s economic targets.

Vice Governors Concepcion Lim of Bohol and Harold Imperial of Albay and their respective Provincial Board members also affixed their signatures as witnesses to the agreement.

The agreement aims to: liberalize and facilitate trade in goods and services between the two provinces, increase investment opportunities and strengthen protection for investments and investment activities, establish a framework for further cooperation and improvement of business environment, and create effective procedures for the implementation and operation of the partnership.

Areas of concern in tourism are sharing/exchanging of tourism information and promotional materials, tourists referrals, promote the Albay and Bohol as tourist destinations, promote the icon of each provinces which is Mayon Volcano for Albay and Chocolate Hills for Bohol, exchange of local heritage, history and culture, participation in tourism festivals/activities of both provinces, human resource development, peace and security; information and communication technology, millennium development goals, disaster risk reduction and climate change measures.

Under the sharing scheme of tourism information would be exchange of experts and promotional materials, assistance in promotion campaigns and training of people in the tourism industry, among others.

PB Members from Albay, who attended the signing, were Neil Montallana, Arnold Embestro, Ralph Andes, Herbert Borja, Ramon Alsua, Job Belen, Baby Glenda Bongao, Ireneo Sales, Ma. Socorro Sambitan (Phil Councilors League) and Joseph Philip Lee (Liga ng mga Barangay).

Their counterparts in Bohol were Dionisio Balite, Godofreda Tirol, Bienvenido Molina, Brigido Imboy, Josephine Socorro Jumamoy, Gerry Garcia, Romulo Cepedoza, Cesar Tomas Lopez, Abeleon Damalerio, Benjie Arcamo, Crispina Vergara (Liga ng Barangay), Jethro Imboy (SK Fed.) and Ramonito Torrefranca (PCL-Bohol).

Before the signing of the agreement, Salceda proposed for a Sandugo-like arm-slitting act, coupled with a toasting and drinking of the wine before the audience of the event that was also attended by heads of offices of the provincial government, employees and other guests from Albay.

Salceda’s entourage later savored the delight of the Loboc River cruise and other tour spots in the province. - THE FREEMAN