CEBU CITY – The sisterhood agreement between Cebu and Bohol provinces will be key to inevitable growth, an official of the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7) said on Tuesday.
Kenneth Cobonpue, an internationally renowned designer who sits as co-chair of the RDC-7, expressed optimism that growth will continue with Cebu and Bohol as the remaining provinces of Region 7, on the separation of Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces to form the Negros Island Region. He expressed confidence that the combined economic drivers in Bohol and Cebu could spur unprecedented growth.
Cobonpue said Cebu and Bohol account for 86 percent of the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of Central Visayas, based on the 2022 Provincial Product Accounts (PPA).
He said the proposal to construct a bridge linking Cebu and Bohol would pump-prime the sectors in tourism, transportation, and consumer.
Based on the 2022 PPA, Negros Oriental has a share of 12.9 percent of the region’s economy, and Siquijor has a 0.9 percent share.
“This would mean that Central Visayas will remain a trillionaire region. Cebu and Bohol remain to be the largest contributor to our economic growth,” Cobonpue said.
Accordingly, Cebu contributes to the region’s income at 30.1 percent based on the 2022 PPA.
Cebu City contributes 22.4 percent, Bohol 13.3 percent, Lapu-Lapu City 11.8 percent, and Mandaue City 8.5 percent.
The 2023 GRDP valued the economy of Central Visayas at PHP1.38 trillion. (PNA)