TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The National Museum of the Philippines–Bohol recently opened its doors to the first official delegation from the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu. The visit marks a new chapter in the growing SugBohol Sisterhood partnership between the two provinces.
A Delegation of Leaders
The Cebu Provincial Board sent four key committee chairs to lead the exchange. Hon. Alfred Francis M. Ouano oversees public safety, peace and order, and dangerous drug abuse prevention. Hon. Raymond Joseph Calderon handles provincial and municipal properties alongside basic education.
Rounding out the group were Hon. Malcolm A. Sanchez, who chairs the committees on information and communication technology and foreign and local relations, and Hon. Paz A. Rozgoni, who leads arts and culture. Their diverse portfolios reflect the wide-ranging scope of the sisterhood agreement, spanning governance, education, technology, and heritage promotion.
SugBohol: A Growing Alliance
The SugBohol Sisterhood Framework is a strategic alliance between Cebu and Bohol designed to foster collaboration across multiple sectors. The two provinces together account for roughly 86 percent of Central Visayas’ gross regional domestic product. The partnership aims to harmonize policies and share best practices in tourism, trade, disaster resilience, and cultural conservation.
Regional development bodies such as NEDA Region 7 and the Central Visayas Regional Development Council have backed the sisterhood as a model for interprovincial cooperation. The museum visit is one of the first tangible exchanges since the agreement was formalized. It sets the tone for future reciprocal visits and joint initiatives that will benefit both islands.
Inside the Historic Museum
The delegation toured the galleries of NMP Bohol, housed in the beautifully restored Old Provincial Capitol Building in Tagbilaran City. The coral‑stone structure, originally built between 1855 and 1860, served as a Spanish colonial tribunal, prison, and military quarters before becoming Bohol’s seat of government. After sustaining heavy damage during the 2013 earthquake, it was donated to the National Museum and meticulously restored.
Today, the museum features exhibits on Bohol’s natural history, cultural heritage, and dedicated galleries for National Artist Napoleon Abueva and former President Carlos P. Garcia. The Cebu officials explored these curated spaces, gaining insight into Bohol’s rich artistic and historical narrative. The experience provided a deeper appreciation of the shared heritage that binds the two provinces.
Building Cultural Bridges
The visit underscores the commitment of both provinces to strengthening interprovincial partnerships. By experiencing Bohol’s cultural assets firsthand, the Cebu delegation gains valuable perspective that can inform collaborative heritage projects. The National Museum Bohol expressed optimism that this initial exchange will pave the way for more delegations and shared cultural celebrations under the SugBohol banner.
