By PR | 04:25 PM April 18, 2024
The province of Bohol affirmed its partnership with the United States of America (USA) during the visit of Kristofor Graf, Consul of the US Embassy and Chief of the American Citizen Services.
Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado welcomed Graf along with Leo Balantac, senior consular specialist, during a meeting at the Capitol on April 18.
“Bohol is important to us,” Graf said, expressing her country’s intent to build a stronger relationship with the provincial government.
The collaboration specifically focuses on the safety and welfare of American citizens, whether residents, tourists or retirees.
The Philippines has one of the biggest US embassies in the world with the countries’ long-standing relations, Graf added, with the province as one of the top spots for Americans.
Aumentado for his part manifested his support for the partnership which brings together relevant agencies that can address concerns on health, peace and security, social welfare, disaster risk reduction and management, tourism and immigration to the discussion.
Present were officials from Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Bureau of Immigration.
According to the Bureau of Immigration-Bohol, 178 American residents registered with the agency in 2023.
Meanwhile, over 19,000 American tourists came in the same period based on the records of the BPTO.
This number is expected to climb higher this year with the holding of the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan as part of the Sandugo festivities between June to August, Pinat stated.
The provincial government has been strengthening international ties as part of its strategic governance roadmap, especially with the province’s designation as the country’s first and only UNESCO Global Geopark.
It received visits from the British and Australian embassies just last month. (PIMO/LMS)
