6-man Iraqi delegation arrives in Mandaue City

CEBU, Philippines - A six-man delegation from Iraq, headed by Ambassador to the Philippines Wadee Batti Hanna Al-Batti and Mosul City Gov. Atheel Al Nujaifi arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport yesterday morning for a three-day visit to Mandaue City. 

During an interview at the airport’s VIP lounge, Al batti told reporters that this was his second time to be in Cebu and it was during a business forum at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in August last year that the idea of forging a sister-city relationship came up while meeting with Mayor Jonas Cortes. 

He said forging a sister city ties with Mandaue City is the first for Iraq, and he has chosen Mosul City in the province of Ninawa, which is the second largest city in Iraq to have a sister-city ties with Mandaue.

He said after the conflict, his country is more peaceful now than in 2004 and is considered one of the safest countries of the world to live in. 

Although the travel ban on workers has not yet been lifted by the Philippine government, Al batti said steps are being taken to persuade the government to lift it. He said visitors are now free to travel to Iraq.

Governor Al-Nujaifi said his province especially Mosul City needs workers to build close to a million houses which were destroyed by the conflict. 

Since his province maintains good relations with Mandaue City, he said the city’s constituents will be prioritized for any job opportunities in his province. 

The signing of a sister-city relationship will be held this morning at the CICC, the signatories being Mayor Cortes in behalf of Mandaue City and Gov. Al -Nujaifi for Mosul City.

After their arrival yesterday morning, the group paid Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia a courtesy call.

Accompanying the delegation were Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede ,city councilors Diosdado Suico and Jimmy Lumapas.

Earlier, the delegation paid Mayor Cortes a courtesy call yesterday afternoon. (FREEMAN)