Kenney’s visit seen to boost US ties of Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula sees a much better relationship between the city and the US government that will spur investment and tourism development in the city and the entire Mindanao as well.

This, as US Ambassador Kristie Kenney visited Cagayan de Oro last Wednesday for the Second Strong Republic Nautical Highway Conference for the Central Seaboard, together with President Arroyo.

Aside from the fact that Mrs. Arroyo is a regular guest of the city, Jaraula said Kenney’s visit attests to Cagayan de Oro’s reputation as a safe place for local and foreign guests.

At the Second SRNH Conference held at the Xavier Estates where Mrs. Arroyo was the keynote speaker, Kenney acknowledged Cagayan de Oro’s role in the roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) ferry system of the SRNH.

“This conference, to my mind, is important especially that it is held here in Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro which is a great gateway for products in Mindanao to reach the world,” Kenney said.

After a luncheon meeting with Mrs. Arroyo and other key government officials, Kenney visited the newly inaugurated MacArthur Memorial Marker at the Macabalan Wharf where she was warmly welcomed by Jaraula, the members of the MacArthur Memorial Marker Committee and the people of Cagayan de Oro.

In her message at the site, Kenney underscored the great Filipino-American friendship symbolized by the establishment of the MacArthur Memorial Marker.

“Thank you for recognizing America’s role in Cagayan de Oro’s past and we hope to continue to be a part of your future,” Kenney told the Cagayanon crowd at the Macabalan Wharf.

Jaraula aggressively pursued the establishment of the MacArthur Memorial Marker to highlight Cagayan de Oro’s significant role in the Liberation Trail. 

Jaraula is also set to travel to Norfolk City in Virginia, USA to seal a sister city relationship, which is currently being worked out between the two cities. 

Meanwhile, Jaraula welcomed Mrs. Arroyo’s initiative of launching the Second Strong Republic Nautical Highway for the Central Nautical Highway which kicked off last Monday from the port of Bulan in Sorsogon all the way to the port of Cawayan in Masbate, to the port of Bogo in Cebu, Tubigon and Jagna ports in Bohol and the Mambajao port in Camiguin, and ended at the Balingoan port in Misamis Oriental.