BALANGA CITY — The provincial government of Bataan and the city government of General Santos on Thursday entered a sisterhood agreement in advancing cultural and trade linkages.
Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III signed in behalf of the Bataan local government unit while Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, sister-in-law of boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquaio, for General Santos City.
The agreement was signed at The Bunker, seat of the provincial government. Camille Bartolome of Philippine Information Agency-Bataan said the partnership also aimed at promoting and expanding mutual beneficial initiatives, exchange of best practices, ideas, policies, programs and projects in various fields.
The partnership, she said, involves the fields of social services; economic enterprise and development; public-private partnerships; investments trade, and industries; commerce on micro, small and medium enterprises; cultural heritage and the arts; tourism; information technology; local government administration; revenue generation and resource management; food and halal industries; environmental preservation; education; and overall public service initiatives. Garcia noted the similarity of Bataan and General Santos City in the aspect of agriculture, tourism, and its natural resources that he said, may contribute to sharing of unique strategies towards advancement and progress.
“No one has the monopoly of excellence, as we can all be enriched by our experiences and best practices, sharing these excellencies with others could ensure extraordinary achievements that in the long run will benefit mankind as a whole, especially all Filipinos,” the governor said.
Pacquiao for her part expressed her trust and support to the sisterhood agreement and encouraged everyone to continue the good relationship started. “This partnership is a proof of a strong and progressive government through cooperation and support of one another,” the mayor said.
