The provincial governments of Cebu and Bohol entered into a sisterhood agreement on Monday to solidify their position as the two remaining provinces of Central Visayas.

In a joint session of the provincial boards at the Cebu capitol in Cebu City, Bohol’s Jiselle Rae Aumentado Villamor and Cebu’s Glenn Anthony Soco co-authored a resolution, adopted en masse, that seeks inter-province cooperation to make the region an “economic powerhouse” in the Visayas.

Highlighted during the joint session was the proposal to connect Cebu and Bohol through a bridge from the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12000, otherwise known as the Negros Island Region (NIR) Act, in June.

The NIR Act unifies the provinces of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, to promote administration decentralization; strengthen local autonomy; and accelerate economic, cultural and social development.

Cebu and Bohol’s populations are 5.5 million and 1.5 million, respectively.

“That is our greatest asset, the people… Central Visayas is the fastest-growing economy in the country. We are the highest in terms of GRDP (Gross Regional Domestic Product), hitting PHP1.2 trillion. Even without Negros Oriental and Siquijor, it comprises 14 percent of PHP1.2 trillion. We will still be at PHP1.1 trillion in 2022 figures,” Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said.

She cited that the two neighboring provinces’ tourism industry anchor on rich natural resources that provide jobs and livelihood.

Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado said the joint session allowed their respective legislators to face problems head-on, explore opportunities ahead and plot plans to for smart and resilient provinces. (PNA)