Cebu, Pangasinan ink cooperation agreement

CEBU, Philippines - To foster better understanding to promote and intensify efforts for knowledge sharing and cooperation, the Province of Cebu has inked a Twinning Agreement with the Province of Pangasinan.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. signed the agreement yesterday at the Capitol.

Both provinces commit to develop cooperative projects in areas of  trade and investments, tourism, arts, culture, education, agriculture, environment, disaster preparedness and health.

Davide, in his speech, said that he was impressed with the transformation of Pangasinan to one of the centers of “excellence” in health services and other areas of local governance.

He said that health is one of the pillars of development agenda in the province of Cebu.

“It was, indeed, inspiring to learn from them, as it was heartwarming for us to know that they (Pangasinan), too, are looking at Cebu as their model in promoting investments and tourism,” he added.

Davide, together with Provincial Board Member Peter John Calderon and staff of  the Provincial Health Office, visited health facilities in Pangasinan early this year.

Espino, for his part, said they have seen why Cebu is considered as “giant” in economic progress in the country.

“I assure that we are moving in the right direction. Even if we, in Pangasinan, are still far behind in terms of economic progress, Pangasinan has gained significant progress in sports, culture, agriculture and environmental management due to hard work and commitment to real public service,” he stressed in his speech.

Under the agreement, areas of cooperation would be carried out through exchange of relevant data, collaboration in the search of partners and in the execution of joined promotional initiatives, mutual cooperation and support based on appropriate and available resources, among others.

Both parties would finance the activities in the agreement with the resources in their respective budgets according to the availability and terms of  their legislation. —GMR (FREEMAN)