TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has committed to help boost Bohol's tourism development, according to Takahiro Sasaki, its chief representative in the Philippines, during his speech at the 159th Bohol Foundation Day last July 22.
Sasaki said JICA has been helping Bohol in developing infrastructure, tourism and agriculture, and had done a lot in making the province "100 percent self-sufficient in rice" today with 60 percent of its land devoted to farming.
JICA has been instrumental also in the construction of the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center along with other promotion projects, he said, adding that the agency will be assisting in the New Bohol Airport project in Panglao island with an allocation of 10.78 million yen.
Sasaki said his country Japan, through JICA, has been supporting measures to promote sustainable tourism and environmental protection in Panglao island, which is composed of the towns of Dauis and Panglao.
Other JICA-assisted projects are the construction of Bohol circumferential road connecting 21 towns, the Bohol-Leyte Interconnection with underwater cable from Leyte's geothermal power supply, solar power to light 50 households in island-Barangay Alumar of Getafe town and technical assistance through the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, said Sasaki.
Governor Edgar Chatto, for his part, thanked JICA and Sasaki for the "substantial contribution of JICA to Bohol's development."
The Foundation Day celebration also conferred awards to outstanding Boholanos: Rosalina Paredes in the field of governance, Mr. and Mrs. Marianito Alemania for business, Dr. Ed Escalona and Boy Custodio for arts.
Special citations were given to Astoria-Bohol, Johnny Chan of Bellevue Hotel in Panglao, Henry Chusuey of Hennan Resort, Enrilen Joy Benedicto, of Enrison Land Inc, Julie Alegado Vergara of Bluewater Resorts and Richard Lim of Eskaya Resort and Spa. —photo by Ric V. Obedencio