CORTES, Bohol – Construction of a two-storey government hub will soon rise in Barangay Malayo Sur following the groundbreaking ceremony of the ₱100 million facility by the provincial government. The new facility aims to optimize public service delivery and ultimately promote economic development.
A strategic shift in governance
The Provincial Government Center, whose groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 3, 2026, is expected to become a highly advanced centralized building where the main government offices will operate. In moving its operations from the provincial capital, Tagbilaran City, this initiative seeks to solve the problem of traffic jam in the city as well as facilitate the accessibility of residents of neighboring towns to the services offered by the government offices. The Department of Public Works and Highways is the lead implementing agency in this project, which is targeted take one year to complete.
Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado highlighted the importance of the project during the groundbreaking event. He pointed out that development must be well thought out, deliberate, and centered on people. Moving the government office to the area of Cortes will alleviate congestion in Tagbilaran and generate economic activities within the surrounding areas.
A long-held dream for Cortes
For Mayor Rodrigo Dennis Uy, the project fulfills a vision he has held for years. “It has been my dream for a long time as mayor that we can bring national offices right here in the town of Cortes,” he said. Uy noted that the facility would accelerate transactions and improve coordination between local and national agencies.
The center’s design focuses on creating a service hub that will benefit residents not only of Cortes but also of surrounding municipalities.
More than just a building
The groundbreaking ceremony in Malayo Sur represents yet another key milestone in a larger series of government-sponsored infrastructure projects taking place across the region. In 2025, the provincial government inaugurated the Bohol Youth Home, a home for children caught up in the web of conflict with the law. The center is situated right in the middle of the emerging neighborhood in barangay Malayo Sur. As a complement to this project, the Bureau of Fire Protection introduced its fire marshal's office in Central Visayas. It is the first ever such facility set up by this office in this barangay. Overall, both the abovementioned events are indicative of the trend in which Cortes becomes more of a major administrative center.
Tourism ripple effects
The primary objective of the government center is that of maximizing efficiency. However, building a government center in Cortes will have some spillover effects on the tourism industry in Bohol. As previously mentioned, the Tagbilaran City is the entry point in terms of tourists visiting the island. As such, moving the government center away from Tagbilaran will help unlock some real estate space in the city which can then be used by the tourism industry, such as hotels, eateries, and shopping facilities.
The convenience of obtaining government services also provides direct advantages to the tourism industry. Tourists and entrepreneurs who need permits and licenses will be provided with an easier means of accessing these services, reducing the time spent on administrative procedures.
The project also falls into Bohol’s bigger commitment to sustainable tourism through it being recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The province has recently adopted the Bohol Sustainable Tourism Code, which will provide policy guidelines for sustainable tourism.
With the emergence of the government center in Cortes, it can be seen that there is a clear intention on the part of the developers to go beyond Tagbilaran. In terms of investment, it presents a chance for investors to invest in a developing town which is fast becoming a new center for government functions. For the tourism industry, it promises a less congested Tagbilaran and a more business-friendly environment across the province.
