Cebu inks pact with Masbate

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and some members of the Provincial Board will be in the Province of Masbate today to formalize a sisterhood agreement.

The direct link from Bogo City in northern Cebu and Cataingan, Masbate through the roll-on-/roll-off transport system has made access easier for both provinces.

“With that I believe that we can go for more exchange especially in trade and commerce, agricultural products and others,” Garcia said.

Masbate is one of the four provinces that play a major role in protecting the Visayan Sea Triangle together with the provinces of Cebu, Negros Occidental and Iloilo.

Like Garcia, Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lañete also declared an all out war against illegal fishing in the province.

Aside from signing the sisterhood agreement, the Cebu officials will also witness a horse show competition in Masbate today. Garcia said Masbate has also been supportive to her horse show project in Cebu.

Garcia said the efforts of the two provinces to propagate the love for horses create stronger camaraderie between the two local government units.

Garcia is eyeing the possibility of breeding stallions from Masbate to help “upgrade” the stocks of horses in Cebu. Masbate is considered as a “horse country” in the Philippines.

Before Masbate, the province inked a sisterhood agreement with Bukidnon. Garcia and Governor Alex Calingasan signed the sisterhood agreement last month during Bukidnon’s 95th founding anniversary.

Cebu and Bukidnon will work on the promotion of business, investments, and commerce; as well as culture, tourism, human resource improvement, education, science and technology and environment.

Bukidnon officials were also invited to attend the 443rd Founding Anniversary of Cebu province this August.

Rumors that Garcia may seek a Senate seat were partly fueled by her close friendship with the Marcos family of Ilocos Norte and her pursuit for a sister-city relations and joint activities with provinces in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

At present, Cebu province has sisterhood ties with Ilocos Norte, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Pampanga, Albay, Antique and South Cotabato, all initiated by Garcia’s administration. —(FREEMAN)