By Xander Ledesma
Cebu and Bohol, the two remaining provinces of Central Visayas, have joined forces to solidify their economic position in the region. A sisterhood agreement was signed on Monday, November 18, 2024, during a joint session of the provincial boards at the Cebu Capitol.
The agreement aims to foster inter-provincial cooperation and position Central Visayas as an economic powerhouse. A key proposal discussed during the session was the construction of a bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol, extending the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.
This development comes after the passage of Republic Act 12000, which established the Negros Island Region (NIR) in June 2024. The NIR comprises the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
With a combined population of over 7 million, Cebu and Bohol are poised to drive economic growth in the region. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu highlighted the region’s strong economic performance, noting that it contributes 14% of the Philippines’ Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).
Both provinces emphasize the importance of their tourism industries, which are anchored on natural resources and provide significant employment opportunities. Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that the joint session would enable both provinces to address challenges, seize opportunities, and develop smart and resilient strategies.