“BOHOL: THE BEST OF THE ISLANDS”
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The second to the last session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for this month was called to order by the Presiding Officer after a quorum was declared. All regular members of the Provincial Board were present. Sectoral representatives were also recorded present during the roll call.
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It can never be denied that many households in our province lack toilet facilities. To this date, it still remains a fact. Records from the Provincial Health Office show that, as of this date, there are thirteen municipalities throughout the province where these facilities are wanting. And out of the thirteen, nine come from the 2nd congressional district, and four are from the third congressional district. Not one from the first district is ever recorded.
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This particular data took center stage in last Friday’s regular session. As an item in the Presiding Officer’s Time, the body unanimously agreed to grant authority to the Provincial Governor to represent the provincial government to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the municipalities concerned for the provision of toilet facilities to the indigent households.
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As envisioned, the plan of the provincial government is noble and exemplary. For, even if these data were already obtaining for quite a number of years, the same were not closely monitored and identified by the previous administrations. The same is true to the local government units down below. They miserably failed to recognize that same problem.
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However, different issues were aired at the Pre Session Hall before its approval. One, what if the household, being an indigent, does not have any source of water? Two, what if because the household members are not used to the toilet facility, they will not use it? And three, what if after receiving the toilet bowl, they will not install it?
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Last Friday’s regular session was interrupted twice. Governor Edgar M. Chatto had to be entertained first at the office of the Presiding Officer before he was scheduled to deliver his State of the Province Address. And right after his engagement with the Provincial Board, he had to be conducted to the Vice-Governor’s Office in preparation for dinner.
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Governor Chatto’s State of the Province Address was not only informative. It also spells out the bold strategies undertaken by the provincial government in pursuing projects where others failed to plan and execute. Said spectacular drive in provincial management earned him the national award as the Best Governed Province in the Country.
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The Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was jampacked. Department Heads and other officials of the provincial government were also in attendance if only to get first hand information of the state of the province right from the mouth of the first citizen of the province.
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However, with all the accolades earned within the span of one year, our provincial executive was sincere enough in acknowledging the fact that with him alone, said honors may not have been received. True enough, every member of the officialdom gets the shares. Even the lowly farmer in the smallest sitios in the barangays has his share, too.
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And in the ending portion of his address, this catch phrase must not be omitted by any imagining and ambitious mind of every Boholano: “BOHOL: THE BEST OF THE ISLANDS.” BOHOL HAS IT ALL, AND ITS ALL IN BOHOL.” Neither should it be taken for granted. It speaks of Bohol, and it speaks for our province.
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As envisioned by the provincial government and translated into action by the Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio, Bohol is filled with almost all types of sports activities a week before this year’s fiesta of this city. Two meetings had already been held if only to ensure success of the project.
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Every local government unit is not obliged to compete in all events. It may participate only on selected games. More specifically, on those where the local government unit excels.
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This time, the activity is not limited to traditional sports events. Competitions only seen in international arena are expected to be viewed by our co- provincianos. Short Cuts can never exact a rightful guess of a 10 percent Boholano population that could have already seen the actual competition in Kayaking, Dragon Boat Racing, and Pistol Shooting. These contests will now be within our reach for total viewing.
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This dream of staging this unique sports activity was broached to the open by the Provincial Administrator himself. He represented the Provincial Governor as Guest Speaker at the Opening Program of the Regional PRISAA Meet held in this city during the first week of this month. He got a resounding approval of the project from Short Cuts as president of the Bohol PRISAA and Rev. Fr. Vic Uy of Holy Name University as Region 7 PRISAA President after his preliminary discussion about the project.
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Assigned to take charge of the 21K Marathon, Short Cuts immediately called up Nestle Philippines. It should be remembered that Nestle Philippines had been staging the 3K ,5K,10K, and 21K MILO MARATHON in this city since five years ago. And true enough, Mr. PAT GOK ONG, program director of Milo Marathon, is scheduled to come to Bohol to lend Nestle’s corporate concern on the project.
