DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Benjamin Lim and Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobreagat noted a lot of things their respective cities have in common as the two formally forged a sister cityhood pact last February 24 in Zamboanga City in time for  the latter’s charter day.

 “If Dagupan City is the Bangus Capital of the World, Zamboanga is the Sardines Capital of the Philippines,” Mayor Lim declared.

Mayor Lobregat added that both Dagupan and Zamboanga are sports and trading centers and whose respective populations double during the day.

Vice Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco, all Zamboanga City councilors, 98 punong barangays, various city hall departments and non-government organizations warmly welcomed the Dagupan delegation.

For his part, Mayor Lim thanked the hosts on behalf of the Dagupan delegation, composed of Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez and all Dagupan councilors, for the red carpet reception accorded them.

Mayor Lim pointed out that the secret ingredients of a successful sister-city relationship are faith, trust, and sincere caring and sharing for one another.

While Dagupan and Zamboanga actually have foreign sister cities, Mayor Lim stressed the importance of local partnerships that bring local leaders to work together for the development of their respective constituents.

Lim underscored unity and understanding because while the two cities were forging a sisterhood pact in Zamboanga, reports were received that a state of emergency was declared in Metro Manila.

Mayor Lobregat, on the other hand, commended Mayor Lim and the city council for making Dagupan less dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and still increase its local income.

“Dagupan City’s IRA dependency used to be 65 to 70 percent, and the remaining percentage was from the local revenue, but now it is reversed,” Lobregat pointed out.

“This political will in Dagupan City serves a challenge and inspiration for us Zamboangaños  to do the same,” he stated.

After the signing of the sisterhood agreement, the Dagupan delegation toured Zamboanga. On February 25, the delegation visited Zamboanga’s   Metropolitan Cathedral, Pasonanca Park, Ayuda Badjao Livelihood Training Center where the delegation donated some amount, and Yakan Waving Village. At night the delegation graced the Zamboanga Local Achiever’s Night where Mayor Lim presented a Nandaragupan book as a token to Mayor Lobregat and Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz.

On February 26, the delegation attended the Grand Civic-Military Parade and Main Program. The Dagupan councilors present during the signing were Michael Fernandez, Farah Marie Decano, Maria Librada Reyna, Teofilo Guadiz III, Danilo C. Torio, Vladimir T. Mata, Jose Netu Tamayo, Alex De Venecia, Nicanor D. Aquino and Charise Perez.
 

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