CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Zvi Vapni met Tuesday with officials of the Pampanga provincial government to discuss possible development programs and the transfer of technology for various areas of improvement.

Vapni was welcomed by Governor Eddie Panlilio, Board Members Ricardo Yabut and Edna David, Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu and all department heads of the Capitol.

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“We feel honored of your presence here and of your good intentions to help us move on with our projects for development. I really do hope you will enjoy your whole day stay and tour of the province,” Panlilio told Vapni after a briefing on the state of the Provincial Government here.

Vapni, for his part said: “Pampanga is at the heart of Central Luzon and is well known the world over. We from Israel are here to find things in common for both of us. There are many things that would connect us, Israel and the Philippines.”

He said among the common things the countries share is based on historical decisions, like when the late President Manuel Quezon opened its doors to Jews of the war times and when the late President Manuel Roxas voted for the “partition” of Palestine and Israel initiated then by the United Nations.

“These are just a few of the things we share. Of course, our respect for your people goes a long way since thousands of Filipinos work in our country as caregivers. We allow them to work in this field and no lower than that because we know they are caring and they are really a big help to the sick and needy in Israel,” Vapni said.

He said he hopes the Provincial Government and the Israeli government could work together in business activities, and share technologies in the field of agriculture, particularly in the use of water for irrigation which he said Israel was advanced with.

“Let us move together and appreciate one another. Definitely, I will enjoy the tour and all the learning today,” Vapni said.

Meanwhile, Dabu told Sun.Star Pampanga that the choice of Pampanga by the Israel government was top on its list.

“Actually they were the ones who chose Pampanga. They were looking for a government chief executive who would be entrusted in selling and sharing their technology. They approached us and asked if the governor is willing to accept the technology from Israel. They are willing to do the research and development and we are asking if it could be for free,” Dabu said.

She added that the Provincial Government’s request is research and development on the byproducts of lahar.

“There was this previous study from UP that our lahar sand is rich in silica which is mainly used in the manufacture of fiber optics. This is one area were looking at closely that is why we will take the Ambassador and his staff to our quarry sites in Manacatian and Manibaug in Porac,” dabu said.

She said that aside from the quarry ocular, Vapni is also set to visit small and medium entrepreneurs in this city as well attend a briefing on the history and production of the world famous San Fernando lanterns. (Jovi T. De Leon)