La Trinidad inks sisterhood pact with Balbalan town

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet –The Valley is reaching out to the region.

Sisterhood ties were forged with Balbalan town in Kalinga, after the endorsement of Mayor Gregorio Abalos which the council unanimously approved.

The local council in its regular session Monday agreed to sisterhood relations with Balabalan will become an inspiration for the Valley.

Balbalan is a third class municipality in Kalinga consisting of 14 barangays. Most of the barangays could not be reached by transportation facilities, and can only be reached by foot.

Councilor Roderick Awingan said, “Ganito kasi yung value ng sisterhood, bale yung sisterhood promotes camaraderie, but yung consequence dyan ay para maka-learn sila sa other municipalities.”

Sisterhood programs are encouraged between local government units to establish a greater friendship and understanding. Also, the municipalities could exchange ideas, practices, and technology for the improvement of the sister municipality.

Awingan said with the sisterhood ties a transfer of technology, ideas as well as a culture will be achieved in both areas.

In Kalinga, Tabuk City earlier passed a resolution requesting for the friendship ties with the Strawberry town.

The request has likewise been approved and awaiting formal signing of agreements.

For Balbalan town, the council also plans to have a sisterhood agreement signing activity during the Strawberry Festival.

The Valley has been reaching out in the local and international areas for ties aiming for an exchange in resources and technology.

Ties with Hwacheon County in North Korea are also underway in the hopes to foster exchanges in technologies in agriculture.(with Melissa Mae Tamayo)