By June S. Blanco

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. – Bohol’s agriculture and tourism were among the major gainers in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s official visit to South Korea and Russia.

This was reported by Gov. Erico Aumentado who joined the President’s entourage, which is expected to arrive today in Manila from St. Petersburg, the northern capital of Russia.

In Seoul, President Arroyo and President Lee Myung-bak agreed for Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to finance the P800 million upgrading of the Malinao Dam and for the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) to fund through a grant the rice processing complex costing about P200 million including the Philippine counterpart funding. Both projects are located in Pilar town.

Aumentado said the Malinao project can double the water storage capacity from five million to 10 million cubic meters, increase the irrigation service area and trigger the establishment of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 3 (BHIP 3). It will also provide an additional eco- and agri-tourism destination, he added.

The governor said the rice processing complex is a major post-harvest facility which includes a special rice mill for the Korean japonica rice now grown in Bohol.

Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap played a vital role with Aumentado in securing the P1-billion Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Bohol. Korean Ambassador Joong-Kyung Choi who visited Bohol recently also helped push the projects.

Also in Seoul, the governor discussed with a group of Korean investors headed by Gyung Soo Kim for the cultivation of red algae for bio-ethanol production. The Korean group needs about 10,000 hectares of seawater area to culture the seaweeds – which Bohol can easily provide, he reported to Ambassador Choi who arranged the meeting at the Lotte Hotel.

A Korean team will visit Bohol on June 21 and 22 to inspect the sites.
Aumentado likewise actively participated in promoting Bohol’s tourism during the meeting with the 28 major Russian tourism industry players presided by President Arroyo at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Moscow. Tourism Sec. Joseph “Ace” Durano led the delegation panel.

The governor secured also the support of Russian honorary consul general Sergey Pavlovich Alexeev to whom he presented the Bohol tourism investment package for the Russian tourists to include Bohol in their Cebu destination during the reception in President Arroyo’s honor in St. Petersburg.