Director of the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources Hari Sastry visited Bohol last week to reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to the province’s inclusive and sustainable development. Director Sastry was welcomed by Bohol officials, led by Governor Edgar Chatto and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II.

The U.S. government, through the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has a long history of supporting Bohol province. USAID projects in Bohol include the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) Project, which extends internet access to remote coastal communities, and Basa Pilipinas (Read Philippines), which focuses on raising reading skills of early grade students through improved reading instruction and access to quality reading materials.

Tagbilaran City is currently one of USAID’s Cities Development Initiative (CDI) partner cities. CDI supports partner cities outside Metro Manila to fulfill their potential as engines of inclusive economic growth.

“We are proud to be good friends with the Boholanos and we will continue to support the province to promote inclusive and resilient growth,” Director Sastry said. “We look forward to seeing Tagbilaran City reach its potential as an engine of economic growth in the province of Bohol, and for the rest of the Philippines.”