Bohol Investment Board
The Provincial Government has set its goal of reviving Bohol’s economy through good and clean governance, and in creating an environment that is business-friendly and easy for investors to locate in.
A business dialogue held in Panglao Island during the inauguration of the new incoming governor on June 2022 underscored the business-friendly stance of the new governance. Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado bared his strategic development agenda to around 100 guests from the business sector, potential investors, and other stakeholders who attended the dialogue. Governor Aumentado is the certified chief marketer of the province who has communicated his open-door policy to potential investors.
The Bohol Investment Board (BIB) was immediately organized to establish favorable and stable policies on local economic development and investment promotion, consistent with the provincial development goals. The Evaluation Committee of the BIB had its inaugural meeting on November 2022 and soon afterward established the evaluation criteria and processes to handle expression of intent, project concepts and proposals from private sector proponents in investment priority areas. Technical experts from government and the private sector comprise the Technical Working Committees who are on call to evaluate proposals and interact with project proponents.
The Board is set to convene once in every quarter or at least four times a year and facilitation of the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (BEDIPO) as the BIB Secretariat ensures the appropriate handholding of proponents and locators.
On January of 2023, the Bohol Investment Board had its inaugural meeting where the members of the Board had the chance to meet each other for the first time. Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte gave the welcome message representing Governor Aris Aumentado followed by a presentation on the Overview of the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Code in the New Normal by Board Member Atty. Jiselle Rae Aumentado-Villamor, SP Committee Chair on Trade and Industry.
Five (5) proponents were invited to present their project proposals to the Bohol Investment Board with projects on common telecommunication towers, power generation, healthcare and waste management projects.
On June 2023, the Bohol Investment Board Evaluation Committee was convened including the new members of the Bohol Investment Board – Sectoral Technical Working Teams as stated in Special Order No. 4 – Series of 2023, which was drafted by BEDIPO and approved by the governor. These Technical Working Teams are represented by both public and private sector agencies and groups, to ensure that technical expertise and concerns from both sectors are heard pertaining to each project presented.
Four (4) proponents were invited to present in the meeting including one whose project is already under development. Other projects include water development, various renewable energy and green technology projects and waste management.
As a follow up, a BIB- Technical Working Committee Meeting on Power and Water Projects was facilitated by BEDIPO on July 2023 wherein proponents were assured of handholding services and facilitation. The meeting was led by Mayor Dave D. Duallo, President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Bohol Chapter and member of the BIB-EC.
The mayors of LGU Buenavista, Ubay and Dagohoy along with their respective Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators were invited and present during the meeting as the local chief executives of the proposed locations of the projects for discussion.
Representatives from the proponents were invited to present additional details of their projects to the respective LGUs and members of the Sectoral Working Teams on Power and Water projects.
On September 2023, the BIB-EC was convened again to listen and assess the project presentations of seven (7) proponents from the sectors of waste management, various renewable energy projects, bulk water supply, infrastructure (bridge) and wastewater treatment.
One highlight of the meeting was the realization and determination of the Board that the province is in dire need of waste management and waste treatment projects in which the presenting proponents were eager to provide.
