- Aumentado cites economic gains, expanded public services, tourism reforms and ‘no ghost projects’ in 2026 SOPA
BOHOL generated ₱12.6 billion in investments from October 2025 to May 2026 while tourism receipts reached ₱26 billion in 2025, as poverty incidence among families fell to a historic low of 11 percent, Governor Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado reported in his 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) on October 9.
The governor presented the figures at the Bohol Cultural Center as among the province’s major economic and social gains, alongside expanded health, education, employment and social protection programs.
Aumentado also issued a categorical declaration on transparency and accountability in the provincial government.
“There are no ghost projects in the Provincial Government of Bohol!” he said.
His address carried the theme “Nagkadaiya Apan Nagkahiusa: Abante Bohol sa Pagpalambo ug Pag-uswag,” underscoring the importance of cooperation among government, businesses, communities and other sectors in sustaining Bohol’s development.
INVESTMENTS, POVERTY REDUCTION
Aumentado said the ₱12.6-billion investment tally covered renewable energy, tourism, commercial and mixed-use developments, infrastructure and services.
He also cited Bohol’s standing as the second-fastest-growing economy among the five economies in the SugBohol region, composed of two provinces and three highly urbanized cities.
“The message is clear: Bohol’s economy remains resilient and continues to expand,” the governor said.
Beyond investment growth, Aumentado highlighted the decline in family poverty incidence to 11 percent in 2025, the lowest recorded in Bohol’s history.
He cited the province’s Poverty Reduction Framework as part of efforts to ensure that economic growth translates into improved opportunities and better living conditions for Boholano families.
“Ang kalamboan adunay tinuod nga kahulugan, kung kini maangkon sa atong katawhan,” Aumentado said, emphasizing sustained investments in health, education, nutrition and social protection.
TOURISM GENERATES ₱26B
Tourism remained one of Bohol’s major economic drivers, generating ₱26 billion in receipts in 2025, a 12-percent increase from the previous year.
The province welcomed 1.49 million tourists during the year, with visitors staying an average of three nights. Around 1,000 tourism establishments and more than 13,000 rooms supported the industry.
Despite a slowdown in arrivals in 2026, South Korea remained Bohol’s leading foreign market, accounting for 44 percent, while arrivals from Spain and Australia increased by 74 percent and 57 percent, respectively.
Aumentado stressed that maintaining Bohol’s reputation as a destination requires shared responsibility.
“Ang pagpalambo sa turismo dili responsibilidad sa gobyerno lamang, responsibilidad kini natong tanan: ang pag-amping sa maayong imahe ug reputasyon sa Bohol isip usa ka destinasyon nga maabi-abihon, ug adunay de-kalidad nga serbisyo,” he said.
The province’s gateways also recorded strong passenger traffic in 2025, with more than 33,000 ship calls, six million maritime passenger movements and more than two million air passenger arrivals.
EXPANDING AIR CONNECTIVITY
International tourism initiatives opened new travel and business opportunities for the province.
The Bohol-Japan Tourism Business Mission generated ₱10 million in sales and helped establish a direct chartered flight from Japan in May 2026, with another flight scheduled for December.
Bohol also launched its maiden chartered flight to Bali through Citilink.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific were also set to add one wide-body Manila-Bohol flight each beginning in October, further improving domestic air connectivity.
TOURISM REFORMS, DESTINATION UPGRADES
Aumentado acknowledged concerns affecting the tourism industry, particularly affordability, service quality and visitor experience.
He pointed to Bohol’s accessibility, cultural heritage, natural attractions, people and UNESCO Global Geopark designation as advantages that the province must continue to strengthen.
“We will address concerns on affordability, service, and visitor experience. We will continue to strengthen our comparative advantages and ensure that tourism remains sustainable, competitive, and beneficial to our communities,” he said.
The province is advancing shoreline and infrastructure improvements at Alona Beach in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
Virgin Island reopened in February under stricter tourism management, while whale shark watching was scheduled to resume in November with feeding prohibited.
The Bohol Sustainable Tourism Development Code of 2025 and the strengthened Provincial Tourism Council also support the province’s push for more responsible and sustainable tourism.
The Bellevue Resort’s Marea Al Fresco Restaurant also became Bohol’s first establishment to receive Halal Certification.
Tourism-related events likewise generated significant economic activity, with ₱6 million in sales from the Sandugo Tourism and Travel Expo, ₱14 million from the Philippine Travel Mart and ₱22 million from Kaon Ta Sa Bantawan, which gathered 79 concessionaires.
Alona Beach was also included among the Philippines’ Top 10 Beaches.
HOSPITALS, NUTRITION AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
In health care, Aumentado reported that Bohol’s 10 government-owned hospitals served more than 120,000 patients through medical and emergency care, maternal services and surgery.
Plans for a province-operated hospital in Loay also advanced, with an initial ₱20 million in Department of Health funding secured and a 2.3-hectare site identified.
Over the past two years, more than 24,000 children were fully immunized, while the Tuberculosis Control Program posted a 92-percent treatment success rate, surpassing the national target of 90 percent.
Voluntary HIV counseling and testing also reached more than 9,000 Boholanos.
The Gatas Bol-anon Milk Feeding Program served more than 39,000 children through a 90-day feeding initiative supplied by a local dairy cooperative, while also supporting livelihood opportunities for local farmers.
Bohol also posted an average 13-percent reduction in child malnutrition over the past year and received the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Award as the region’s sole local government unit recipient.
The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program extended nearly ₱110 million in medical and burial assistance to more than 18,000 Boholanos.
Abante Barangay Serbisyo and Dagyawan Caravans also brought essential services directly to communities, while relief operations during Typhoons Tino and Uwan provided food and water to more than 35,000 families.
EDUCATION, JOBS AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
Education assistance reached 1,200 college students through the Bohol Educational Subsidy Program, 325 scholars under the CPG Scholarship Program and 30 medical scholars.
Five former medical scholars have since joined province-owned hospitals as doctors.
The provincial government also deployed 136 province-paid teachers in 30 municipalities and recognized 31 Boholano topnotchers.
On employment, the province conducted 20 job fairs from 2022 to August 2026, attracting 9,300 applicants, while another 600 applicants were connected with employers through 28 Special Recruitment Activities.
Programs such as the Special Program for the Employment of Students and JobStart Philippines complemented career guidance and pre-employment seminars for young jobseekers.
Services for vulnerable sectors included assistance to 62 survivors through the Bohol Crisis Intervention Center, rehabilitation and life-skills development for 20 children in conflict with the law through the Bohol Youth Home, and therapy services for 137 children through the STAC Center.
The province also awarded ₱2.8 million in cash gifts to 28 centenarians.
In sports, Boholano athletes won 21 medals at Batang Pinoy 2025 and 19 medals at Palarong Pambansa 2026.
The Governor’s Cup Volleyball D-League drew more than 1,300 athletes from 44 local government units, while Sandugo Tigi expanded participation to more than 15,000 athletes.
BUSINESS, ICT AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Beyond tourism, the Provincial Development Council adopted the Bohol ICT Roadmap, while a provincial ordinance established the Bohol Startup Ecosystem and Innovation Development Program.
Boholano micro, small and medium enterprises generated ₱30 million in sales at Manila FAME through products featuring indigenous materials and traditional craftsmanship.
Bohol was also named among the Top 12 finalists in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Most Business-Friendly LGU Awards for the second consecutive year.
Bohol BOSS recorded a 96.9-percent client approval rating, while local economic enterprises generated ₱9 million from October 2025 to May 2026.
Café Caloy also received a 100-percent “Excellent” rating from the Department of Trade and Industry.
ACCOUNTABILITY, PARTNERSHIPS
On fiscal governance, Aumentado reported 100-percent compliance with good financial housekeeping by the province and all 48 component local government units.
He stressed that responsible management of public funds should ensure that taxpayers’ money is translated into programs, services and development opportunities.
Partnerships with municipalities, barangays, civil society organizations and communities helped mobilize more than ₱550 million for local development and assistance to families.
The governor also cited an ordinance authored by Board Member Nathaniel Binlod exempting local government units from transfer fee collections to support land banking for public facilities.
The measure followed a request from Panglao Mayor Boy Arcay concerning the acquisition of a site for the municipality’s new municipal hall.
Intergovernmental cooperation also advanced through the SugBohol Sisterhood Agreement with Cebu and Bohol’s sisterhood partnership with San Juan City.
These partnerships seek to promote shared development initiatives, including proposed Friendship Bridges under the Visayas Framework Plan, while engagements with ASEAN and international partners broaden opportunities for collaboration.
In peace and reintegration efforts, the Local Amnesty Board-Bohol accepted 212 applicants who are undergoing verification and processing.
The province also attained Sustained Internal Peace and Security status as classified by the Department of National Defense’s NTF-ELCAC Management Office and affirmed through a Provincial Peace and Order Council resolution.
The SOPA was delivered during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan presided over by Vice Governor Nick Besas and attended by provincial legislators, Bohol’s congressional representatives, mayors, national government officials, private-sector partners, civil society organizations, and representatives from the academic and religious sectors.
Closing his address, Aumentado credited provincial employees, local government leaders, civil society organizations, the private sector and Boholano communities for contributing to the province’s development.
“Daghang salamat sa inyong tabang. Nagkadaiya ang atong panan-aw ug kahimtang, apan nagkahiusa kita, kay usa ra kita ka dugo. Mao kini ang diwa ug kahulogan sa Sandugo,” he said. (Consolidated from PIMO reports)
