Quezon, Cebu ink pact

CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Quezon is the newest sister province of Cebu.

 But for Quezon, Cebu is the first Philippine sister province after the sisterhood agreement between the two provinces was signed in time of the 134th birth anniversary of the late President Manuel L. Quezon last Sunday, August 19.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was invited by Quezon Governor David “Jayjay” Suarez to the culminating activity of the week-long celebration and to sign the sisterhood agreement between the two provinces.Both provinces expressed their willingness to establish ties with the end view of a long lasting friendship as a basis for exchanging initiatives and experiences in areas of mutual interest in public governance and promotion of commerce, investments, culture and tourism. 

The two governors are delighted that Cebu and Quezon are now sister provinces.

Garcia said that the relationship between the two provinces is connected since the time of President Quezon whose Vice President was from Cebu, Sergio Osmeña.

The mother of Suarez also came from the town of Daanbantayan in northern Cebu.

“Ibinuklod na ang ating mga tadhana that this day would come and our bond will be formally established with this signing of sisterhood agreement,” Garcia said in her speech aired over Sugbo TV.

Garcia then invited the new brothers and sisters from Quezon to the upcoming Suroy Suroy Sugbo Northern Escapade this coming September.

The sisterhood agreement aims to foster understanding to intensify efforts, and to promote and exchange experiences in social, cultural and economic programs. Both provinces commit to develop programs and projects especially in local governance.

Suarez also said over Sugbo TV that he held the highest regard and highest respect to the Province of Cebu for Cebu is one of the top performing provinces of the country today. He added that he chose Cebu to be the first sister province of Quezon because Cebu is the only province that met his “standards.”

“We see similarities and parallelisms between our provinces and we hope that we can learn from the best experiences of Cebu and the good practices that they have implemented,” he said.

Garcia and Suarez, together with Col. Alex Capina, led the floral offering to commemorate the 134th birth anniversary of Pres. Quezon.  (FREEMAN)