BAGUIO City is targeting sisterhood ties with several southeast Asian countries this year for possible government exchange programs and economic boost.
City Tourism Officer Benedicto Alhambra, who was tasked to work on foreign visitors and sisterhood ties, said the city is set to forge ties with three Asean cities.
Bandung in Indonesia, Dalat in Vietnam, and another city in Malaysia are being eyed for possible ties.
Alhambra said these cities have similarities to Baguio and the sisterhood would usher tourism development, educational exchange program and possible fresh investments.
Bandung, like Baguio has a cool climate throughout the year. It is the capital of West Java in Indonesia at least 180 kilometers southeast from Jakarta.
Alhambra said the city seeks to learn from the tourism management of Bandung having mountain resorts and hot springs as well as its integration of culture and arts in its tourism packages.
Dalat also has a cool climate. It is the capital of Lam Dong province in Vietnam and a popular tourist destination. Similar to Baguio, Dalat has specific sites of thousand pine trees with twisting roads and marigold blossom in the winter.
The city is also known as an area for scientific research in the fields of biotechnology and nuclear physics.
Dalat is the vegetable and flower garden of Vietnam producing cabbage and cauliflower. Its flower industry produces two typical flowers: hydrangea and golden everlasting.
Meantime, the city is set to host 30 delegations from Chiang Mai, Thailand from January 29 to February 1, in time of the opening of the annual Panagbenga Festival.
The visit seeks to strengthen ties and discuss potential joint activities between the two cities.
Alhambra said local government units believe that twinning enables the partner LGU’s to implement various developmental and equally beneficial programs and projects.
Baguio City has already forged numerous sisterhood ties with other cities and towns not only in the country but even abroad. Some of the international sister cities are Vallejo City in California, Vaughan City in Ontario, Canada, Gongju City and Taebaek City in South Korea, Hanyu City in Japan and Hangzhou, China among others.