Despite being thousands of kilometers apart, the cities of Valenzuela and Koronadal in South Cotabato have forged a memorandum of agreement that fosters cooperation between the two in various fields for sustainable development.
The “sisterhood agreement,” which was inked on Oct. 7 in the Farm Convention Center in Koronadal, seeks the creation of a partnership group composed of five representatives from each city, tasked to bring about an exchange of technical knowledge and practices in trade, investments, tourism, information technology, human development, and culture and the arts.
The agreement is also embodied in a resolution approved by the Koronadal city council in September, and in a counterpart resolution sponsored by District 1 Councilor Marlon Alejandrino in Valenzuela.
“(This) is to help and share our best practices with Koronadal and at the same time, (a way to learn) from our sister city,” Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian said Koronadal has “a lot of potential” where attracting tourists is concerned, a fact that Valenzuela City could capitalize on.
Under the MOA, Gatchalian and Koronadal Mayor Peter Miguel will also work closely in improving their respective education sectors.
So far, Valenzuela City has forged similar agreements with Bucheon City of Gyeonggi Province in South Korea and the municipality of Santa Cruz in Marinduque. Kristine Felisse Mangunay