Bohol’s Next Development Plan: Why It Matters to Every Boholano

A national guide will help provinces plan for their own communities and connect local priorities with the country’s wider goals. Bohol is preparing its next provincial plan. How many Boholanos know about it—and how many would like to help shape it?

A development plan is a guide for deciding what a province should work on in the coming years. It helps identify important needs, set goals, choose projects and services, and check whether progress is being made.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) has issued a framework to help provinces prepare these plans. It gives provinces a common way to connect evidence about local needs with goals, programs, investments, and results. It also helps link provincial plans with regional and national priorities, so local efforts can contribute to the country’s development.

For Bohol, this matters because decisions made through provincial planning can affect issues people experience in their communities: health services, education, jobs, farming, roads, the environment, disaster readiness, and more.

Bohol is preparing its next plan

The Bohol Provincial Government has awarded a consultancy contract for the preparation, participatory planning, packaging, and publication of its Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) 2027–2039. The procurement notice says the work includes participatory planning.

DEPDev’s new national framework describes two connected planning documents: the Provincial Development Plan, which focuses on social and economic goals, and the Provincial Physical Framework Plan, which guides where development takes place. Bohol’s procurement notice uses the older combined name, PDPFP. The PPDO can help explain how Bohol’s plan will apply the updated national guidance.

How can people take part?

Bohol already has a Provincial Development Council, or PDC, where development priorities are discussed. The PPDO says the council includes mayors, representatives from Bohol’s congressional districts, and representatives of non-government organizations. Its sector committees cover areas such as social development, the economy, the environment, infrastructure, and development administration.

Recent PDC meetings have brought together local officials, national government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector partners, and other development stakeholders. In July 2026, the council discussed provincial priorities and projects for endorsement.

These are channels for organized groups and representatives to contribute. The public information available so far does not give a schedule for open community consultations on Bohol’s 2027–2039 plan or explain how individual residents can join. The PPDO can clarify when and where Boholanos will be invited to share their views.

We want to hear from Boholanos

Before reading this article, had you heard that Bohol is preparing its next provincial development plan?

If a public discussion were held in your area, would you be interested in sharing your community’s needs and ideas?

What is one issue you hope Bohol’s next plan will address?

Share your answer or comment with Our Bohol. These responses can help show how much people know about the planning process, whether they want to participate, and what information they need to take part.

For the plan, provincial data, maps, and PDC updates, visit the Bohol Provincial Planning and Development Office.

Sources

• DEPDev, Provincial Development Planning Framework
• Bohol PPDO, Provincial Development Council
• Bohol Provincial Procurement Management Unit, Consultancy for the PDPFP 2027–2039