The Cebu Provincial Government is moving closer to formalizing its partnership with Bohol after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan authorized Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro to sign the long-awaited SugBohol Sisterhood Agreement.
The Provincial Board approved a resolution during its regular session on Monday, July 20, allowing Baricuatro to execute the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado on behalf of Cebu.
The ceremonial signing of the agreement is scheduled on July 31 in Bohol.
Sponsored by Provincial Board Member Malcolm Sanchez, the resolution reaffirms Cebu’s commitment under Joint Resolution No. 01-2024, which was earlier adopted by the legislative bodies of Cebu and Bohol expressing their intent to establish the SugBohol Sisterhood.
Under the proposed agreement, the two provinces will collaborate on tourism, commerce, trade, business promotion, economic development, infrastructure, and other areas identified by both local governments.
The partnership will also cover possible cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, education, health, culture, environmental protection, disaster resilience, digital governance, public administration, and other fields of mutual interest.
The resolution traced the initiative to the historic joint session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu and Bohol on Nov. 18, 2024, where both councils unanimously approved their commitment to create the SugBohol partnership.
Bohol had already prepared the draft agreement and transmitted it to Cebu through Governor Aumentado for review and eventual signing.
Although the agreement has yet to be formally executed, the Provincial Board said both provinces remain committed to advancing the goals outlined in the 2024 joint resolution through the partnership.
To help implement the agreement, the Provincial Board also authorized the creation of a Provincial Technical Working Group (TWG) that will coordinate with Bohol’s counterpart group.
The TWG will be composed of Provincial Board Members Stanley Caminero, Lakambini Reluya, Malcolm Sanchez, Nelson Mondigo, Raymond Calderon, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Atty. Pulchra Marie Acevedo.
The group will be responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating programs and activities that will arise from the SugBohol Sisterhood Agreement once it takes effect.
The resolution also authorizes Baricuatro to make revisions or modifications to the draft agreement, provided these remain aligned with the objectives of Joint Resolution No. 01-2024 and existing laws.
The Provincial Board cited the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly provisions encouraging local government units to establish cooperative arrangements to promote sustainable development and strengthen intergovernmental partnerships.
The board said the agreement reflects Cebu’s commitment to “strengthening institutional cooperation with the Province of Bohol” through joint programs and initiatives across various sectors.
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