By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY — The city government of San Juan has formalized sisterhood agreements with Negros Occidental and its 32 local government units, including Bacolod City, to share best practices that could strengthen cooperation in governance, tourism and economic development.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, who also serves as president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, along with the mayors of the province’s 32 LGUs, signed the sisterhood agreements during a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol on Thursday.
In a press briefing Thursday night, Zamora, accompanied by Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., said the visit had been scheduled last year but was postponed because of a typhoon that affected the province.
“It’s an honor for us to be received this way here in Negros Occidental,” Zamora said.
Zamora said the partnership will allow both sides to exchange best practices in local governance and tourism promotion.
He added that the agreement also gives both sides an opportunity to share best practices and learn from successful programs being implemented in their respective localities.
He said visiting different places in the country allows local officials to learn new approaches in governance and management that they can bring back to their own communities.
Among the proposals discussed was the establishment of a space at Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan where products from Negros Occidental’s cities and municipalities could be displayed and sold.
“These are basically opportunities that have opened up simply because we have signed an agreement with all different LGUs,” he said.
Zamora was accompanied by councilors James Yap, who has roots in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, and Ervic Vijandre.
Lacson welcomed the initiative, saying it could open a wider market for the province’s micro, small and medium enterprises.
“Our MSMEs can display their products there. There’s an immediate advantage; we just have to work on it,” Lacson said.
He expressed hope that increased exposure in Metro Manila will help local products gain more recognition.
Lacson said the partnership will also help promote tourism between Metro Manila and Negros Occidental.
“This partnership creates an avenue for our local governments to work together in areas such as governance, economic development, tourism promotion, cultural exchange, and people-to-people engagement,” the governor said.
“More importantly, it opens opportunities for our communities to connect and grow together,” he added.
He said the agreement reflects the unity of local leaders in pursuing initiatives that bring progress and opportunities closer to their communities.
Aside from Bacolod City, the other LGUs in Negros Occidental include the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay and Victorias.
The province’s municipalities include Binalbagan, Calatrava, Cauayan, Candoni, Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Toboso and Valladolid.
