National Economic and Development Authority Region 7 assistant regional director Evelyn Nacario-Castro said the growth momentum of Central Visayas is expected to continue even with the establishment of the Negros Island Region.
The provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor, currently still under Region 7 with Cebu and Bohol, will become part of the NIR once the newest region becomes operational, likely in 2025.
Cebu and Bohol account for 86 percent of the gross regional domestic product of Central Visayas, based on the 2022 Provincial Product Accounts, NEDA7 said in a statement in line with the recent Cebu-Bohol sisterhood agreement.
The provinces of Cebu and Bohol have taken the first step to strengthen ties further and foster cooperation for the growth of Central Visayas, with their sanggunians holding a joint session at the Social Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Cebu City, and passing a resolution for the two provinces to enter into a sisterhood agreement.
The sisterhood agreement aims to strengthen and foster cooperation in the areas of tourism, commerce, business, economy, and other shared interests for the growth of the region.
Other regional line agencies that expressed support for the sisterhood agreement were the regional Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Bohol Gov. and Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) chair Erico Aristotle Aumentado expressed confidence that Bohol and Cebu have what it takes to reach greater heights in economic growth, social inclusion, and technological innovation.
Cebu Gov. and former Central Visayas RDC chair Gwendolyn Garcia said that Bohol and Cebu can share best practices with each other and may pursue projects together. She emphasized that the region has the unique opportunity to become the economic powerhouse, not only of the Visayas, but also of the entire country.
In ending her speech, she declared “SugBohol” as the new moniker for Central Visayas. ||
