Cebu, Bukidnon forge sisterhood ties

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu and Bukidnon are now officially “sister provinces” as their respective governors, Gwendolyn Garcia and Alex Calingasan, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) during the 95th Foundation Day of Bukidnon last Saturday.

The formal signing was witnessed by provincial board members of Cebu and Bukidnon and municipal mayors of both provinces.

In June 2011, Calingasan sent an invitation to Garcia to be the keynote speaker of the 95th founding anniversary of Bukidnon and the closing ceremonies of the Kaamulan Festival 2012, and suggested the possibility of forging ties with Cebu.

Calingasan said they were honored to be a “sister province” of Cebu from which they could learn on tourism, good governance and economic upliftment programs.

Both provinces have already established kinship long before as many Cebuanos reside in Bukidnon.

“The people of Cebu wish for this relationship to be real, based on concrete programs that will make a real and positive impact on both our people,” Garcia said in her speech.

The MOA also aims to develop cooperative projects, promote business, investments and tourism, and strengthen cultural relations between the two provinces.

Garcia thanked the Bukidnon provincial government for the “gracious and incomparable hospitality” the Cebu officials received.

In return, she invited Calingasan and other Bukidnon officials to come to Cebu for its 443rd founding anniversary on Aug. 6.– Freeman News Service