BAGUIO CITY – The cities of Baguio and Vallejo renewed their sisterhood vows in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the twinning agreement.
In a Memorandum of Understanding signed by officials last July 25 at City Hall, both cities “rekindled their ties geared towards greater heights and innate reciprocation” on several fronts.
The exchanges will cover the conduct of research in areas mutually beneficial to both cities, establishment and maintenance of liaison with local Sister City associations and promotion of activities like publicizing relations, organizing student exchange programs and tour groups and promoting exchange of related information such as cultural programs, exhibits and exchanges in sports and tourism, encourage inter-city correspondence, exchanging books, periodicals, art works, photography, recorded music, motion pictures, video tapes and professional and technical literature;
Exchanging gifts and articles of cultural and informative value, promoting formal and friendly relations between groups and schools, youth organizations, clubs, chambers of commerce and churches, fund-raising for special projects, creating opportunities for international trade, arranging cultural and business visitations and providing host families and groups for sister city visitors.
The instrument was signed by Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Vallejo City Council Member Rozzana Verder-Aliga who headed the 46-man delegation to a six-day visit to Baguio.
Both Domogan and Aliga expressed elation over the sisterhood milestone and aired intent to deepen the relationship through more cultural, educational and economic exchanges.
The twinning agreement was fleshed out through Baguio City Council Resolution No. 96-1993 and Vallejo City Council Resolution No. 93-250-NC.
“This relationship was further promulgated during its 9th year anniversary through a (MOU) signed in the City of Vallejo on May 6, 2002,” the MOU notes.
“”This relationship has endured the test of time, creating an atmosphere of amity that paved way to the exploration of viable aspects for reciprocal exchanges and bridged the distance between the hearts of the citizenry of both cities;”
“In celebration of the 25th anniversary of sisterhood relationship.., it is noteworthy to acclaim the milestones we have achieved over the years in enriching mutual cultural understanding and expansion of the cooperation that continue to deepen the goodwill between both cities, taking significant focus on reciprocation towards aspects that mutually develop best practices in governance, environmental protection and promotion of welfare of respective citizens visiting or residing in the host city.”
While in the City, the delegation were treated to various activities top-billed by a two-day friendly basketball and taekwondo games and tree-planting activitiy at Mt. Sto. Tomas.
The group composed of 26 guests and 20 athletes were also treated to a swim date at the Asin Hot Spring and tour of the City’s different tourist destinations like the Sister Cities Park at the Botanical Garden, Wright Park, The Mansion, Mines View Park, Camp John Hay, BenCab Museum, Tam-awan Village and Easter Weaving Room.
By: Aileen P. Refuerzo
