Loboc, Bohol Mayor Raymond G. Jala of Loboc, Bohol hosted a welcome ceremony for the Vice Governor of Jiangxi Province, China, Hon. Shi Ke, and his nine-member delegation recently.
The Chinese officials were in Loboc for a river cruise, one of the popular tourist attractions in the province.
Mayor Jala expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the visit, saying that it was an opportunity to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Loboc and Jiangxi. He also highlighted the cultural and natural beauty of Loboc, which is known for its centuries-old churches, musical heritage, and scenic river.
Vice Governor Shi Ke thanked Mayor Jala for the warm reception and praised Loboc for its hospitality and development. He said that he was impressed by the Loboc River cruise, which offered a buffet lunch, live music, and a cultural show. He also expressed his interest in exploring more of Bohol’s attractions and potential areas of collaboration.
The Loboc River cruise is a significant highlight in most Bohol countryside tours. It usually comes inclusive of a generous buffet lunch, or dinner served right on the raft. This floating restaurant also has singers and musicians onboard to serenade guests while they enjoy popular Filipino dishes.
The river cruise starts from Loay Bridge near the Church of San Pedro. Midway through the 1-hour cruise, the raft stops in front of a large hut for a short performance by more singers and dancers dressed in traditional baro’t saya. The raft moves along the river until it reaches a small portion of Busay Falls, from which it maneuvers for the return trip.
The visit of the Jiangxi Vice Governor and delegation is part of a series of exchanges between Bohol and China, which aim to promote tourism, trade, and cultural ties. In December 2023, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) refreshed its ties with Jiangxi, China when a delegation visited the province.
In January 2024, Loboc won the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award, which was conferred by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr.
Mayor Jala said that he hopes that the visit of the Jiangxi Vice Governor and delegation will pave the way for more fruitful partnerships and exchanges between Loboc and Jiangxi in the future.