Taiwan, Batanes forge trade relations

BASCO, Batanes – The 10-year wait for the formal opening of trade and cultural relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and this northernmost province ended the other day with formal forging of a trade and cultural pact between the two places.

Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office chief Hsin-Hsing Wu led the Chinese group, which include Walis Pelin, minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, and Kuei Kuang Chou, mayor of the Province of Lan Yu.

On hand to welcome them at the airport were Gov. Vicente Gato, Rep. Dina Abad and this town’s Mayor Manny Viola. Other government officials, farmers and fishermen were also on hand to welcome the visitors.

Lan Yu is inhabited by the Y’ami tribe, who speak 85 percent Ivatan. They claim that their forefathers were originally from this province.

Chou said his island will host a cultural festival in July where a delegation from this province will be invited. In return, a cultural group from his people will visit this province.

Representatives of the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Agriculture (DA) and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) were likewise present during the ceremonies.

The highlight of the activities was the inauguration of the newly constructed Farmers and Fishermen Market at the capitol extension.

The P5-million two-story building was partly funded by the Taiwanese government. It houses a wet market at the ground floor, while indigenous products of the Ivatans (as the natives are known) are on display at the second floor. – Jack Castaño