By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda yesterday signed a ‘sisterhood agreement’ between the provinces at the Provincial Capitol, which Marañon called “historical and significant.”

“We can learn from them, they can learn from us,” he explained.

Marañon said the agreement would help connect Negros Occidental to other provinces in Luzon, such as La Union, Zambales, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

He also pointed out opportunities in tourism between both provinces, citing Negros Occidental as the second-most visited province for tourists.

Pineda, meanwhile, said the two provinces are “like family,” referring to sugar production and culture.

She also expressed her surprise at the number of Kapampangans that have settled in Negros Occidental.

The Pampanga governor said Metro Manila is “dying” due to its lack of space and encouraged investors to invest in her province, highlighting its “vast land area,” which she said is similar to Negros Occidental.

Pineda noted, the agreement would bring more development for both provinces./DGB, WDJ