The Regional Development Council of Central Visayas (RDC-7) has thrown its full support behind a sisterhood agreement between Cebu and Bohol, viewing it as a crucial step towards sustained economic growth in the region. This comes at a time when Central Visayas faces the departure of Negros Oriental and Siquijor to the newly established Negros Island Region. Kenneth Cobonpue, co-chair of RDC-7 and a globally recognized designer, emphasized the potential for growth despite the regional changes.
Cobonpue highlighted that Cebu and Bohol together make up 86% of Central Visayas’ gross regional domestic product (GRDP), according to the 2022 Provincial Product Accounts. He remains optimistic about the region’s future, noting that even with the loss of PHP179 billion, or 14% of the region’s economy due to the split, the combined economic strengths of Cebu and Bohol could lead to significant growth.
A proposed bridge connecting Cebu and Bohol is seen as a catalyst for boosting sectors such as tourism, transportation, and consumer goods. Cobonpue pointed out that Central Visayas would continue to be a trillionaire region, with Cebu and Bohol being the primary contributors to its economic prosperity. In 2022, Cebu contributed 30.1% to the region’s income, with Cebu City at 22.4%, Bohol at 13.3%, Lapu-Lapu City at 11.8%, and Mandaue City at 8.5%. The 2023 GRDP pegged the region’s economy at PHP1.38 trillion.