By PR | 03:26 PM January 05, 2023
The year 2023 was a year of growth for the province.
Speaking during The Capitol Reports Friday, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado bared the highlights of accomplishments of the provincial government last year.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the province posted a 7.1% GDP growth in Aumentado’s first full year as governor.
Lawyer John Titus Vistal, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, bared that with the local economy producing P171 billion worth of goods and services, Bohol remains the third largest economy in the Central Visayas region, next to Cebu province and Cebu City as well as other independent economies, including highly urbanized cities.
The province also generated P29.3 billion in investments based on the report of the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office.
According to PSA figures, another milestone in the primary agenda of recovery was the reduction of inflation that showed a 47% decrease from an 8.7 inflation rate in November 2022 down to 4.6 in November 2023.
Meanwhile, tourism arrival in the province is projected to reach the 1 million. The latest available information showed 740,000 arrivals as of October 2023, a 313% increase from 2021.
The highlight of major accomplishments included initiatives in development pillars of environmental sustainability, climate smart agriculture, sustainable tourism, micro small and medium enterprises/entrepreneurship, human capital/workforce, governance, infrastructure and utilities, health and social services and in the field of information and communications technology.
Aumentado said a more comprehensive report will be presented when he delivers the State of the Province Address.
He acknowledged the strong partnership with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite, which passed 22 ordinances and 1,102 resolutions in support of the strategic governance roadmap.
Aumentado likewise thanked heads of offices of the provincial government as well as national government agencies as he committed to strengthen efforts for growth and progress of the province in 2024 and in the coming years.
Other projects presented include the bulk water and wastewater and sewerage management system, the second circumferential highway project, the Bohol Business Park, a monorail system covering Tagbilaran and the towns of Corella, Albur, Maribojoc and Panglao, and an integrated flood control system or Sabo Dam project, among others. (PIMO/LMS)
