NEGROS Occidental strengthened its economic and trade relations with Pampanga to further boost the growth and development of the two provinces.
Governors Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental and Lilia Pineda of Pampanga signed the sisterhood agreement between the two provinces at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City Friday, December 15.
The signing of the pact was witnessed by the provincial officials of both provinces.
Marañon said the two provinces have many things in common such as food and culture.
He said the sisterhood pact is a “win-win” situation for both provinces.
“We can learn from them, they can also learn from us,” the governor added.
Marañon said it’s a start of a new relationship, and “I’m sure this will grow.”
The people will benefit from the ties, he said.
Marañon also said the strength of Negros Occidental is aquaculture, adding that Negrenses could teach their counterparts about their best practices.
Pineda said there are many Pampangueños living in Negros Occidental and there are also many Negrenses based in her province.
She said the two provinces are very much alike and “we will share our best practices.”
Aside from aquaculture, Pineda said she wanted to follow the programs implemented by the Negros Occidental provincial government.
She said the pact signing is a just a start, and that she and her counterpart in Negros Occidental have many things to talk about.
Marañon said Negros could also promote its seafood like prawns and blue crabs, and also lamb meat to Pampanga.
“These are among the few items we can supply them,” he added.
Marañon also said the Pampanga governor lauded the province’s lamb production.
“She (Pineda) tasted our lamb and she seemed to like it, it’s tender. She was surprised we can produce lamb here. This is one product we can reduce the cost and at the same time, give livelihood to the Negrenses,” he said.
He said “this is just the beginning of a better future,” adding that he is looking forward to learn about Pampanga’s furniture and tourism industries.
Pineda said they could send a team on furniture-making to Negros Occidental for manpower training.
She added that Pampangueños are now exporting furniture products to Europe.
This Sunday, the Negrense delegation led by Marañon will visit Pampanga.
Deepen ties
Under the sisterhood pact, both parties agreed to deepen ties and encourage understanding and awareness of the uniqueness of their respective provinces.
The parties also agreed to lend mutual held and support to advance the welfare of the people of both provinces.
The agreement also said that parties shall create programs, projects, and activities that will promote fellowship between the two provinces, and will continuously foster improvement and development.
Both parties shall regularly meet and hold dialogues on issues of common concern and interest.
Also, they agreed they will send delegations and representatives to conduct exchange visits to have an actual interchange of views and experiences.
The pact stated that establishing a sister province relationship will serve to promote and foster mutually beneficial exchanges and will strengthen bilateral support between the two provinces.