Jonas, Portuguese ambassador contemplate sisterhood accord

CEBU, Philippines -  Ambassador Joaquin Moreira de Lemos of Portugal and Mayor Jonas Cortes are mulling a sisterhood agreement between Mandaue City and another city in Portugal.

De Lemos, accompanied by Philippine Consul to Portugal Samuel Chioson paid a courtesy call to Mayor Cortes and discussed the possibility of a twin city relationship.

The Portuguese ambassador in a later interview said he will find a city in his country which can also match Mandaue as an industrial city.

“I will find a city and help organize a delegation to assess the areas of cooperation,” said Lemos.

According to Lemos, it will definitely be a socio-economic and cultural cooperation, adding Mandaue is an ideal location since it is situated in the crossroads of Cebu and its proximity to the airport and wharf area.

Lemos said he is also interested to see Cebu and Sabrosa City in Portugal sign a sisterhood agreement. Sabrosa is the hometown of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Magellan landed in Cebu, particularly in Lapu-Lapu City in 1521, thus the first explorer to discover Philippines. He was however killed by Lapu-Lapu, the chieftain of the island.

Lemos said he will work it out that the agreement will be signed and operational before the end of the year. — MNS (FREEMAN)