Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday turned over chairmanship of the Regional Peace and Order Council in Central Visayas (RPOC-7) to Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto.
President Benigno Aquino III administered Chatto’s oath of office in rites at Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Aquino, who visited the province for the first time as President, appointed Chatto RPOC chairman last May.
Chatto, in his speech, thanked Garcia and cited the drop in the crime rate in the region by 23 percent from last year.
Supt. Ager Ontog, regional police director, provided the figures.
Chatto underscored the importance of “community empowerment” as the “major basis of a strong and peaceful community.”
“We believe that the participation of the community is very significant. We would like to take part in the share of nation building,” Chatto said.
“Lasting peace can be achieved through the adherence of the rule of law.”
Garcia earlier said Negros Oriental will be the focus of the anti-insurgency campaign in the region since Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor are “insurgency-free.”
In an interview at Tagbilaran Airport, Garcia said Chatto told her he will call and consult her on matters pertaining to the RPOC.
Garcia said she “has great confidence” in Chatto.
“Under his stewardship, I know RPOC will achieve great gains in our all-out campaign against the ills of society,” she said.
After the ceremony, stakeholders discussed the new Bohol airport, the province’s road networks and the waste disposal system in a forum.
Also present with Aquino were Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas.