By Helen Castano, Marisol Bo-oc | 10:40 PM June 24, 2021
Bohol First District Rep. Edgar Chatto condoled with the family of former President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 61.
Chatto was governor of Bohol during Aquino’s term from 2010 to 2016.
“We are joining the Boholano people in expressing our deep sorrow over the death of former President Benigno Aquino III,” Chatto said in a statement Thursday night.
“President Noynoy was a true friend to Bohol. He celebrated our victories and supported us when we were at our lowest. When the earthquake hit us in October 2013, President Nonoy immediately came to Bohol to oversee the search, rescue and relief operations. He was widely known to have slept in a tent in Loon and experienced the aftershocks with the rest of us. That same night we talked about the damage caused by the earthquake and he ordered his Cabinet to ensure that government quickly responds to the needs of the Boholanos,” Chatto said.
He said in the aftermath, President Noynoy made sure that Bohol had a direct line to Malacañang to recovery.
“He approved the funding for the Bohol Earthquake Rehabilitation Plan to help us rise from the rubble and do so quickly. Across the province, numerous City, Municipal and Barangay Halls, Public Markets, Health Care Centers, Educational Facilities, and Road networks were rehabilitated or reconstructed. This also gave us our New Bohol Provincial Capitol and the Bohol Branch of the National Museum. Significantly, as we have recently seen, it was through the efforts and support of President Noynoy that we were able to rebuild our grand heritage churches and cultural assets. This is over and above the regular programs of the national government,” said Chatto.
He said PNoy’s leadership helped bring back Bohol as we see it today.