TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, June 29 (PIA) -- Governor Arthur Yap in his final State of the Province Address (SOPA) highlighted his administration’s achievements during his three-year tenure as the highest-ranking government official in the province.

Yap takes pride that despite the COVID-19, typhoon Odette, and at a time when social media was full of fake and sensationalized news, the province of Bohol was recognized as the Most Competitive Province in Central Visayas in 2020 and 2021.

“What cannot be denied is that despite politically motivated allegations of corruption, Bohol was awarded with the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping by the DILG last year. What cannot be denied is that we were awarded the Most Business-Friendly Province Special Citation in 2021 from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” Yap said.

“What cannot be denied is that we were finalists in the DILG - Galing Pook Awards in 2021 in Five Categories. What cannot be denied is we were awarded Second Place as the Best LGU in the Internal Process Award Category by the DICT and the NICP in 2020. What cannot be denied is that Bohol is a National Award winner as well for ELCAC and our national Anti-drug efforts,” Yap added.

The outgoing governor told his fellow Bol-anons that what they confronted in the last two years was truly phenomenal as they were all tested beyond their capacities.

Despite these challenges, Yap said Bohol today is multi-awarded, stronger, and ready to recover.   

“I am concluding this State of the Province Address on a high note of excitement that if the programs are sustained in the coming years, Bohol is poised for a strong rebound," he said. 

Yap reported that Bohol’s fiscal condition as a province is healthy with cash in the bank accounts at close to four billion pesos.

The outgoing governor denied that they are leaving the Provincial Government without any funds.

He cited the quarry collections in the last three years as the highest in recent years, at more than P23 million.

“For the record, I have instructed our officials to submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan our records including all outstanding collectibles that are due the Provincial Government from liable Quarry Operators," he added. 

Contrary to the fake news, Yap clarified for the last time that his administration has no P2 billion loan from any bank for water program until today and that he is leaving Capitol with a "healthy" financial condition with cash in the bank accounts at close to P4 billion.

"As we speak of water, let me put to rest the issue of a P2 billion loan which was supposedly contracted by my administration. Allow me to clarify, for the last time I hope, that this is nothing but fake news," he said. 

To prove his point, Yap submitted as part of the records, certifications from Landbank and Development Bank of the Philippines, secured as of last week that the Provincial Government of Bohol does not have a P2-billion loan for water or any other purpose, the outgoing governor clarified.

Yap ended his SOPA by thanking his co-workers in the Provincial Government led by Vice Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, all the  hardworking members of the Management Executive Board including Provincial Administrator Kathyrin Pioquinto, Chief of Staff Giselle Quimpo, and all PGBH employees, the mayors, municipal and barangay councils, the religious communities, the business sector, the media, and other sectoral groups.

The outgoing governor thanked as well Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, and the national government for all their assistance to Bohol.

Yap also congratulated re-electionist Representatives Edgar Chatto, Alexie Tutor, and newly elected Rep. Vanessa Aumentado, Governor-elect Aris Aumentado, and all winning candidates in the last elections. (ECB/PIA7 Bohol)