SISTER CITIES. Mayor Morales shakes hands with Mayor Talley after signing MOA on sisterhood of the cities they head. Looking on are Vice Mayor Halili and Director Nevad. Photo by Bong Lacson
CLARK FREEPORT – Global goes Mabalacat City.
A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for international cooperation particularly in renewable energy and environmental protection was signed between Mabalacat City and Ducktown City in Polk County, Tennessee, USA at the Mabalacat City Hall extension here over the weekend.
Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales of Mabalacat and Mayor James Talley of Ducktown signed the sisterhood pact before a congregation of pastors from the Baptist Church.
The signing was preceded by the official acknowledgement of the membership of Mabalacat City into the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC), a non-profit network of cities, universities, and private businesses with the mission of providing leadership in promoting renewable energy and economic development for member organizations.
“I’m sure this will strengthen the relationship between Mabalacat and Ducktown especially in terms of economic and social development as well as protection of the environment,” said Morales in his speech after the MOA signing.
“As the saying goes, protecting the environment is protecting ourselves,” Morales said as he also thanked the Baptist pastors for witnessing the occasion.
“I thank the pastors for blessing us with their presence. Please pray for this present administration to reach our goals and accomplish our mission and vision for our city,” Morales concluded.
Mayor Talley described the sisterhood pact as “a partnership to move into areas that need to be addressed. This will be a very good thing for both of our communities.”
Talley also said “it is such an honor” to become a sister city of Mabalacat. “This is a very moving moment for us,” he added.
Mabalacat City Vice Mayor Christian Halili thanked Talley “for giving us the opportunity to be part of your city.”
Halili assured Talley that as presiding officer of the city council, he will “support any resolution needed to strengthen the partnership and to make it successful.”
For his part, TREEDC Executive Director Warren Nevad said “never in our wildest dreams that we will have a great city like Mabalacat in the Philippines become a member. We started TREEDC in 2007 with only four small cities,” he added.
Nevad thanked Philippine Renewable Energy Association (PREA) president Olegario Serafica and his son Erwin, who both witnessed the signing, saying the event would not have been possible without the support of their Philippine organization.
He also thanked Douglas Jackson, TREEDC consultant and retired project manager of the Tennessee valley Authority, one of the largest electric power producers in the USA for working closely with Serafica and PREA “to expand our network.”
He cited PREA which “has made tremendous inroads in renewable energy.”
