ILOILO City Mayor Jose Espinosa III wanted City Hall regular employees to be exposed internationally by getting scholarships in Australia.
Espinosa broached the idea following the visit of Australian Deputy Head of Mission to the Philippines Mat Kimberley at City Hall on Wednesday, April 10.
Kimberly paid a courtesy call to Espinosa specifically to check on their scholars and Australia’s partnership with Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.
Kimberley, who was a first timer in Iloilo City, commended the city’s cleanliness.
“Iloilo City will continue to make projects specially to sustain the cleanliness. We have started the coastal cleanup to make our coastline swimmable again. Through this project, we hope to once again bag a Galing Pook award with the help of different sectors,” Espinosa said.
The mayor noted that Australia has more than 30 Ilonggo scholars and they might add more for those interested. The scholarships cover governance and law for one and a half years.
“I like that initiative because I really would want to invest on permanent personnel and make them exposed to international studies because it can help us continue our good governance,” he added.
“Although Iloilo City has been recognized as most improved local government unit, we should not rest and we should invest on our personnel to improve the delivery of services,” Espinosa stressed.
He noted that Australia and Iloilo City have made partnerships before through the establishment of Apex Nutrition Center in the metropolis.
Espinosa said he is hopeful that the Australian aid will once again put up another project in the metropolis. (PR)