:: Korean envoy treasures Bohol :: (913 times read)
Bohol holds a sentimental part in the heart of Joong-Kyung Choi, the first and only Korean adopted son of Bohol, as he left his post as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines on April 7 to return home and work as senior secretary to the President for economy.
On his official farewell letter, Choi wrote a personal side note for Gov. Erico Aumentado that says, “I’ll not forget I am the adopted son of Bohol. Magandang Bohol kong mahal. Pagkakaibigan at pagsasamahan. Mabuhay!”
Aumentado conferred the title of adopted son of Bohol to Choi on December 18 last year for his significant contributions to accelerate Bohol’s economic development.
The governor cited Choi’s strong advocacy for the multi-industry cluster (MIC) program that includes the establishment of a US$2.9-million algae research center, a bio-ethanol facility, organic fertilizer production and biomass power generation from algae requiring an investment of about US$150 million, upgrading of Malinao Dam to irrigate an additional 2,700 hectares of rice lands, the establishment of a P315-million modern integrated rice processing complex (RPC) in the town of Pilar, for backing the P1.4-billion Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project-Phase 3 (BCRIP-3) and the US$3-million feasibility study for the Bohol-Cebu Multi-Access Friendship Bridge.
Also through Choi’s representation, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) implemented and conducted the feasibility studies of these projects as funded by the Korea Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) through its Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).
Choi had helped strengthen the “bilateral and diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea through his advocacy of the Green Strategy and the development of the two countries”, the governor said.
Korea’s assistance to Bohol, facilitated through Ambassador Choi, focuses on advancing marine and upland agriculture through environment-friendly use of natural resources.
Since the scope of Choi’s new function include agricultural and economic development planning, the upgrading of Malinao Dam is expected to be among the first Bohol projects to get attention in his new capacity as senior secretary to the President for economy which is equivalent to the position of the senior economic adviser of the President in the Philippines.
In his recent visit to Bohol last week, Man Hwan Park- -the country representative of Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korea Export-Import Bank (Eximbank)- -got the assurance from Aumentado that all the requirements will be complied before the elections.
In a phone call to National Irrigation Administration Bong Salazar, Aumentado confirmed that all that is left to accomplish is getting the endorsement of NIA to its umbrella agency- -the Department of Agriculture then DA’s endorsement to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board.
In another phone call, Aumentado got the assurance of former DA secretary Arthur Yap, who is running for congressman in the 3rd district where Malinao Dam of Pilar is located, to help follow up the issuance of DA’s endorsement to NEDA by tapping his contacts there.
On this, Aumentado targets to implement the upgrading of Malinao Dam right after the elections, with Yap’s cooperation as the next representative of 3rd district.
Upgrading the Malinao Dam in Pilar by two meters in height would double its water storage capacity from five million to 10 million cubic meters and expand its service to additional 2,700 hectares.of ricelands.
The RPC in Pilar has storage, drying and milling facilities for hybrid rice and a specialized one for the Japonica variety.
A possible trip to Seoul, Korea after the elections has also been thought of, to discuss the implementation of the project with Choi.
In his official farewell letter, Choi has also expressed gratitude for the support, encouragement and friendship that Filipinos had given him.
“It has helped make my time here so rewarding. I am confident that your friendship and support will be extended to my staff in the Embassy and my successor, who has yet to be appointed. I am particularly honored to be able to work with you to promote a win-win partnership between our countries that combines our comparative advantages in the form of the Multi-Industry Cluster (MIC) program,” Choi said.
He also said he believes that the MIC program “will mutually benefit the Philippines and Korea and contribute to agricultural and industrial viability of the Philippines”.
Choi assured that the feasibility study for identifying the MIC sites will be finished within this year, as his successor and the MIC team of the Korean Embassy will continue pushing forward with the program and see the benefits it brings.
“Now, I return to Korea with my love for the Philippines, its people and culture. Rest assured that I shall continue to strive for the development of our bilateral relations even after my term as ambassador, as a good and reliable friend and a staunch supporter for the Philippine-Korea partnership. Our paths will cross again, I am certain,” Choi said. (Angeline Valencia)
