By CESAR JOLITO III
The Negros Occidental provincial government and its 31 local government units formally signed a sisterhood agreement with San Juan City, strengthening cooperation aimed at promoting economic opportunities, tourism and cultural exchange.
The agreement was signed during ceremonies at the Capitol Social Hall and was witnessed by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora.
Under the partnership, San Juan City has offered a space in one of its public markets where products from Negros Occidental’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can be displayed and sold.
Lacson said the provincial government is looking to tap the Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) to facilitate the participation of local MSMEs in the market initiative.
“In fact, Mayor Zamora has already offered their market where our micro, small and medium enterprises can display their products. Right away, what came to mind was our TLDC, and we will push for that,” Lacson said.
The governor noted that the initiative could provide immediate benefits for local entrepreneurs by giving their products exposure in Metro Manila.
“There’s an immediate advantage — we just have to work on it. With the volume of products going to that market, our goods can be noticed, and it could also help our micro and small enterprises,” he added.
Lacson said discussions will still be held on how the market space will be allocated among participating cities and municipalities, with the provincial government pledging support to ensure MSMEs benefit from the opportunity.
For his part, Zamora said the sisterhood agreements are intended to strengthen collaboration among local governments and allow them to learn from one another’s best practices.
“No elected officials can say they know everything. As I go around the different LGUs, I study their best practices. I want to institutionalize the signing of sisterhood agreements,” Zamora said.
He added that the partnership also opens tourism opportunities and creates a wider market for products from Negros Occidental, particularly in Metro Manila.
“It is an opportunity for your cities and municipalities to introduce their products to the people of San Juan and the whole of Metro Manila. We will promote their products and tourism,” he said.
Zamora, who currently serves as national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), also praised the leadership of Lacson for bringing together mayors from across the province.
“What I see now in Negros Occidental is that you have progressed so much since the last time I visited in 2010. I see the difference. I want to learn how this was done,” he said.
Aside from the signing of the sisterhood pact, Zamora said the LCP will also hold its National Executive Board meeting and Visayas Cluster consultation in the province as part of efforts to directly engage local officials.
“They don’t need to go to Metro Manila, that’s why I go to them on the ground,” he said, noting that the initiative aims to help bridge local governments with the national government./CJ, WDJ