LGUs normally enter into sisterhood agreements to promote inter-city trade, investment, and tourism linkages.
One such agreement is being mulled between General Santos City and Mabalacat City.
In his letter dated July 29, 2019 addressed to City Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo, General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera informed the former about the crafting of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and at the same time invited Mayor Garbo to come to General Santos city on September 5, 2019 for the formal signing of the MOU.
The celebration of the Tuna Festival of General Santos City happens on September 3 to 5, 2019.
In essence, the Sisterhood Agreement desires to "promote favorable relations of partnership and cooperation between the peoples of the two cities and recognize the importance of the principles of equality and mutual cooperation and benefits".
The agreement details the fields of cooperation between the two cities such as: a) the promotion and sustainability of air connectivity between Clark and Gensan; b) exchange of best practices on Social Services; c) exchange of best practices on economic enterprise development and management particularly on the exchange of best practices on local college; d) exchange of trade and commerce through advertising patronizing each city's assets with the assistance of the private sector; e) micro, small and medium enterprise promotion and development; f) exchange of culture, heritage and arts through promotion of local tourism; g) exchange of best practices on information communication and technology, local government administration, revenue generation, resources management, hotel industry, environmental protection and other innovative programs and projects; h) exchange of school students, teachers, workers correspondence and sports; i) cross visits of government officials, employees and public and private organizations to learn about effective governance and efficient public service practices; and j) other special projects that may be identified later.
Sisterhood agreements are very beneficial to contracting cities and promote exchange of best practices in various fields.
In September this year, according to Rosan S. Paquia, EnP, the CPDO head and concurrent Chief of Staff, Chinese and Korean investors will visit the city government of Mabalacat to explore trade and tourism opportunities. Such are the bright prospects awaiting the city!
***
On the downside, what is this I heard that the terminated employees of the city government of Mabalacat are being replaced by those coming from Bamban, Tarlac City and other places and to hide their places of residence, are being housed in subdivisions in Mabalacat City?
Are Mabalacat residents so much inferior than those coming from other places? Just asking.