By Xander Ledesma
The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7) has expressed strong support for a sisterhood agreement between Cebu and Bohol, viewing the partnership as a crucial driver of growth despite the economic impact of Negros Oriental and Siquijor joining the newly created Negros Island Region.
Kenneth Cobonpue, RDC-7 co-chair and an internationally renowned designer, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, noting that Cebu and Bohol together contribute 86 percent of the region’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), according to the 2022 Provincial Product Accounts (PPA).
While Central Visayas is set to lose PHP179 billion—or 14 percent—of its economy with the departure of Negros Oriental and Siquijor, Cobonpue remains optimistic. He highlighted the proposal to construct a bridge linking Cebu and Bohol as a potential economic catalyst, particularly for the tourism, transportation, and consumer sectors.
Negros Oriental previously accounted for 12.9 percent of the region’s economy, and Siquijor contributed 0.9 percent, based on the 2022 PPA. Despite this loss, Central Visayas will retain its status as a “trillionaire region,” with Cebu and Bohol driving growth.
Cebu contributes 30.1 percent of the region’s income, with Cebu City at 22.4 percent, Bohol at 13.3 percent, Lapu-Lapu City at 11.8 percent, and Mandaue City at 8.5 percent. The region’s total GRDP was valued at PHP1.38 trillion in 2023.
Cobonpue reiterated that Cebu and Bohol remain key pillars of the region’s economy and that the sisterhood agreement would further enhance cooperation, ensuring continued development and regional stability.