Bohol Business Park: a runway of opportunities

By PR | 06:10 PM May 17, 2024

First on Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado’s development agenda is job creation. This was manifested in the strategic move by the province to transform the Old Tagbilaran City Airport into a business hub that is expected to generate 3,000 jobs for Boholanos.

“I yearn for the day when a Boholano does not have to leave home to seek out a decent, good-paying job outside the province,” Aumentado said during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Bohol Business Park at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport on May 15.

With this project, Aumentado hopes to offer a better quality of life and a brighter future to every individual and family in Bohol.

The old airport, formerly used as a jogging area and for events during July’s Sandugo festivity, is the site of the Bohol Business Park. This transformation, a result of the Aumentado administration’s efforts, signifies a runway of opportunities for Boholanos.

As of 2022, the BPO industry estimates that about 30% of BPO jobs have been relocated to the provinces, closer to a larger potential workforce. Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony symbolizes Aumentado’s commitment to shape tomorrow’s digital landscape beyond mere infrastructure; it embraces the transformation of ideas into reality.

As provincial administrator Asteria Caberte welcomed the guests, she recalled the beginning of a dream and aspirations for Bohol, saying: “This all started with a dream and aspiration, which led us to our grand vision of a Bohol Business Park in the heart of Tagbilaran City.”

Caberte also expressed gratitude to the city government of Tagbilaran led by Mayor Jane Yap, who was also graced the event, for its full cooperation and support in making this event successful.

Aumentado was joined by Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite during the event along with Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Jamie Villamor and Lucille Lagunay.

Representatives from Sagility Philippines, Innercore Construction and Realty Creation, the Management Executive Board, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Atlantic Erectors Incorporated Engineering and Construction, the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representatives from the ICT Council also attended the event.

Kenneth Obis, Director for Business Development of Innercore Construction and Realty Development Corporation, borrowed the words of Denzel Washington, saying, “You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too.” With this being said, he acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, from conception to execution.

Obis also emphasized that this journey through perseverance and shared vision will unlock the province’s full potential. “Today, we not only dream but set concrete goals to ensure our success. Innercore Construction and Realty Development Corporation, in partnership with Sagility, leads this journey towards prosperity.”

Fed delos Lado, Sagility vice president for operations, expressed his excitement to start operation in Bohol expected to begin in the last quarter of the year or the first quarter of 2025. Delos Lado said he is thankful that an LGU like Bohol has a mindset of developing an area in terms of IT infrastructure.

“The governor is really a good ambassador of the province, making the entire Bohol province different from others,” Delos Lado remarked, expressing his impression on how the governor works to develop diversified businesses beyond tourism.

The provincial government aims to build a foundation that not only supports growth but also serves as a catalyst for progress in the community, especially in an era driven by innovation and technology. This milestone puts Bohol on the taxi bay and soon anticipates the Bohol Business Park to take off. (PIMO/ML)