US envoy gives Bohol hope, ways of recovery

MARIBOJOC, BOHOL, Philippines — It looks like Bohol's way for a turnaround from earthquake devastation to economic recovery and rehabilitation would largely depend on the "gold and steel" of its big brother, the United States of America.

This was hinted by Gov. Edgar Chatto who said, "how can the province goes wrong" when it has US Ambassador  Philip Goldberg and Gloria Steele, country representative of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to rely on these concerns.

The governor cited the unwavering efforts of US officials, Goldberg and Steele, who expressed concern over the recovery of Bohol from the rubbles and pains of the calamity, during their visit to the province yesterday.

Goldberg, who succeeded then ambassador to the Philippines Thomas Harry, made an official visit here and breezed into this town to see for himself the devastation of the earthquake.

Earlier on Dec. 9, USAID official Greg Beck spent two days here to conduct the first-hand post-earthquake assessment on the extent of damage of the tremor. He was at the time accompanied by Steele and other Filipinos who are US Embassy officials in Manila.

This town, like eight others, is badly devastated by the Oct. 15 magnitude-7.2 earthquake, where most of its school facilities and buildings, especially the day care centers, were razed to the ground.

This town's Mayor Leoncio Evasco and his Vice-Mayor Fructuoso Redulla welcomed Goldberg at the town's central elementary school where the envoy huddled with schoolchildren.

Goldberg and his party took their lunch at the Governor's Mansion in Tagbilaran after arrival at the airport before proceeding to this town.

He discussed details on the rehabilitation plans for the province, with the governor and wife Pureza, who is also the vice mayor of  Balilihan town, Provincial Board members, other government officials and businessmen led by lawyer Manny Tumanda.

Goldberg, who went back to Manila at past 3 p.m. said, "I'll be back to Bohol (and) to the beach," referring to the province's white beaches, dive sites and other tourism attractions. (FREEMAN)