TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 22 (PIA) -- Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte praised Boholanos for their “united efforts” to bounce back from the devastation brought by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette last year.

“Moving to a better tomorrow through a united vision is a noble gift in our hands. Not every place has a gift like this,” said Duterte during the province’s 168th founding anniversary on July 22.

Duterte was the keynote speaker during the province’s founding day held at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City.

Under Republic Act No. 7683, July 22 of every year is declared as a special non-working holiday in the Province of Bohol and the City of Tagbilaran known as “Bohol Day.”

“Bohol is dear to my heart. I was with you when you surmounted the devastation of Typhoon Odette. Those were difficult, sleepless days and nights for all of you. Yet, I witnessed how you ascended to acceptance, forgiveness, and starting anew. Out of this shared experience comes your collective courage to rebuild the province back into its iconic beauty,” Duterte added.

She said Bohol has a special place in her heart as her mother Elizabeth likes the Boholano dialect.

In her speech, she likewise expressed gratitude for receiving an invitation to attend the Bohol Day celebration, noting that this gave her an opportunity to meet teachers, regional directors of the Department of Education (DepEd) as well as Schools Division Superintendent to discuss the needed repairs and reconstructions of buildings that were damaged by Odette.

Before joining the Bohol Day celebration, Duterte visited the Clarin National School of Fisheries in the town of Clarin to personally see the schools that were ravaged by Typhoon Odette in December 2021.

She thanked the teachers and employees of the Clarin National School of Fisheries for the time they took to talk to her about their needs and concerns.

As the second highest-ranking official, Duterte thanked Boholanos for helping catapult her to the vice presidency and supporting the administration of her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. (ECB/PIA7 Bohol)