Mandaue open to ties with Bohol town

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes is open to the idea of forging a sister city relationship with Alburquerque town in Bohol.

Alburquerque Mayor Efren Tungol proposed the idea during the welcome dinner the town hosted for the delegates of Mandaue City for this year’s Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet. The Mandaue athletes were housed at the Alburquerque Elementary School and San Roque National High School, both located in Alburquerque .

Tungol said Mandaue city and Alburquerque share many things in common like their broom and salt industries.

Aside from trade, the two local government units can also have exchange programs in other fields like culture and arts, Tungol said.

The town, located 18 kms from Tagbilaran City, has domesticated two of the biggest pythons in the province that have become an attraction to tourists.

Mandaue Councilor Demetrio Cortes who attended the opening ceremony in Alburquerque said in his speech that he is personally amenable of the proposed sister city ties. He will reportedly propose the same to the Mandaue City Council during its regular session next week.

Councilor Cortes who chairs the committee on education went to Bohol specifically to assist the 652-member delegation.

The mayor also went to Bohol to support the city’s athletes and to attend the meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

The Mandaue City Division ranked third in the over-all medal tally and has been the consistent champion in basketball and badminton in both elementary and secondary in the recent CVIRAA meet. - THE FREEMAN