Pampanga, Negros Occidental ink sisterhood pact

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2017/12/19/pampanga-negros-occidental-ink-sisterhood-pact-580401
• Tuesday, December 19, 2017

By Philip Ocampo(Pampanga PIO with JTD of SunStar Pampanga) and Marchel P. Espina (SunStar Bacolod)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Provincial Government of Pampanga solidified its relationship with Negros Occidental in a sisterhood agreement signed at Royce Hotel and Casino here on December 17.

Governor Lilia Pineda and Governor Alfredo Marañon led the signing of the memorandum of agreement. It was witnessed by the officials of each province.

With their desire to promote favorable relations of partnership and cooperation between their people and recognizing the importance of the principles of equality and mutual cooperation and benefits, the two provinces agreed for a sisterhood agreement in line with their prevailing laws and regulations.

The sisterhood eyes the promotion and expansion of their capabilities in the following fields: economic enterprise; tourism, arts and culture, and sports; livelihood and employment; special projects concern; environment protection and disaster response; trade, commerce, and industry; health and education; and information technology.

The sisterhood agreement was also fuelled by the opening of the Clark Bacolod flights by Philippine Airlines launched last December 15 this year.

Marañon thanked Pineda for organizing the special visit for the Negros Occidental officials. He also confessed that he was amazed by the new Clark-Bacolod flight and the convenience it brings.

“The trip from Bacolod to Clark was one of the most comfortable and shortest trips of mine from Bacolod to Luzon. It was very quick. And there was no traffic in the air,” he said.

The Negrense governor also hopes that the relationship will further grow and lead to more opportunities with the cooperation of the two provinces.

Pineda, for her part, thanked the delegation for visiting Pampanga. She also added that in return, she will invite not just Pampanga but the whole Central Luzon to come to Negros Occidental.

“Hindi lang ang mga Kapampangan ang dadalhin ko sa Bacolod kundi ang buong Central Luzon pupunta sila,” she said.

She is eyeing to conduct summits and seminars in Negros Occidental now that the Clark-Bacolod flights make it only a one-hour trip.

The mother of Pampanga also confessed that she talked to Marañon on giving guidance to their successor in cultivating the good relationship the two provinces have started.

“Huwag kayong bibitaw dahil hanggang sa susunod na henerasyon magkapatid pa rin ang Negros Occidental at ang Pampanga,” she added.

Last December 15, it was the Pampanga delegation which flew to Negros Occidental for initial talks on economic and trade relations.

Marañon said the two provinces have many things in common such as food and culture. He said the sisterhood pact is a “win-win” situation for both provinces.

“We can learn from them, they can also learn from us. It’s a start of a new relationship, and “I’m sure this will grow,” the governor said, adding the people will benefit from the ties.

Marañon also said the strength of Negros Occidental is aquaculture, adding that Negrenses could teach their counterparts about their best practices.

Pineda, meanwhile, said there are many Pampangueños living in Negros Occidental and there are also many Negrenses based in her province.

She said the two provinces are very much alike and “we will share our best practices.”

Aside from aquaculture, Pineda said she wanted to follow the programs implemented by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government. She said the pact signing is a just a start, and that she and her counterpart in Negros Occidental have many things to talk about.

Marañon said Negros could also promote its seafood like prawns and blue crabs, and also lamb meat to Pampanga. “These are among the few items we can supply them.”

Marañon also said the Pampanga governor lauded the province’s lamb production. “She (Governor Pineda) tasted our lamb and she seemed to like it, it’s tender. She was surprised we can produce lamb here. This is one product we can reduce the cost and at the same time, give livelihood to the Negrenses.”

He said “this is just the beginning of a better future,” adding that he is looking forward to learn about Pampanga’s furniture and tourism industries.

Pineda said they could send a team on furniture-making to Negros Occidental for manpower training. She added that Kapampangans are now exporting furniture products to Europe.

Under the sisterhood pact, both parties agreed to deepen ties and encourage understanding and awareness of the uniqueness of their respective provinces.

The parties also agreed to lend mutual held and support to advance the welfare of the people of both provinces.

The agreement also said that parties shall create programs, projects, and activities that will promote fellowship between the two provinces, and will continuously foster improvement and development.

Both parties shall regularly meet and hold dialogues on issues of common concern and interest. Also, they agreed they will send delegations and representatives to conduct exchange visits to have an actual interchange of views and experiences.

The pact stated that establishing a sister province relationship will serve to promote and foster mutually beneficial exchanges and will strengthen bilateral support between the two provinces.