THE LOCAL government of Davao is currently reviewing policies on sister city agreements to ensure the mutual benefit for both parties.
During the Pulong Pulong sa Dabawenyos, Councilor Rachel Zozobrado said the review is necessary for both cities to work hand in hand, according to the specific areas of cooperation discussed.
“We are now in the process of sitting down with sister cities to identify where in areas of cooperation we can have mutual exchange of benefits or benchmarking,” Zozobrado said.
The committee chair for international relations emphasized that the local government will not enter into additional sister city agreements unless deemed necessary and will work with existing sister cities in the interim.
“We want to ensure that the sister city agreements, international and local, have concrete benefits for the city and for the residents,” Zozobrado said.
But the councilor emphasized that they welcome those interested cities to sign partnerships with the city, as this is an opportunity for Davaoeños.
“We wanted not only to sign agreements but to provide a concrete program so that they can benefit from us and we can benefit from them, not only on paper but consistent with the priorities of the government,” she added.
The councilor emphasized that the city being sister cities with local and international cities gives Davao City an edge in terms of programs as identified in specific areas of cooperation, such as education, health, food security, and investments.
She cited, for example, an educational program discussion with Hamamatsu, where the latter was informed of the priorities of the city and agreed to look for scholarships and training assistance to benefit residents of Davao City.
The city currently has sister city agreements with seven international cities, namely Kaua’i Country, USA; Sennan, Japan; Tai’an, Jinjiang, Dalian, and Fuzhou of China; and Hamamatsu, Japan.
Pohang city of South Korea is ongoing, and Indonesia is looking into the renewal of an agreement for the cities of Bitung and Manado.
“We are very honored to our friends from these countries that they see Davao as prime movers and a gateway to Mindanao,” she stressed.
For local cities, there are 12 sister cities namely: Bacoor City, Cavite; Liloan, Cebu; Marikina City, NCR; Quezon City, NCR; Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; Pandi, Bulacan; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula; Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; Mati City, Davao Oriental; Kalibo, Aklan; and Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.
