Gwen to visit Israel, Korea next month

CEBU, Philippines - Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. will be calling the shots at the Cebu Provincial Capitol beginning next month, as Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is scheduled to leave for an official state visit in Israel from September 3 to 7 of this year.

This is in response to an invitation, dated August 12, signed by Israeli Ambassador Zvi Vapni, which reads: “This visit would surely enhance the relationship between your province and my country.”

This will be Garcia’s first trip to Israel since she assumed office as governor of Cebu in 2004.

 From Israel, Garcia will immediately fly to Cebu’s sister province of Gangwon in South Korea for the 9th General Assembly of the East Asian Inter-Regional Tourism Forum. She will stay there from September 8 to 11.

Cebu Province is a member of the EATOF. Other members include Jilin, China; Gangwon, Korea; Sarawak, Malaysia; Yogyogarta, Indonesia; Tottori, Japan; Tuv, Mongolia; Primovsky, Russia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Quang Ninh, Vietnam.

EATOF was organized in 1999 in Seoul, South Korea to prepare for the first forum hosted by Gangwon in 2000. The succeeding fora were then held here in Cebu, Yogyogarta, Jilin, Tottori, Chiang Mai, and the latest in Tuv. EATOF’s primary goal is to promote inter-regional cooperation.

After the EATOF, Garcia will be attending the 12th Busan International Fair and will be visiting a coal-fired power plant in Seoul.

Members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cebu Cultural Dance Troupe, and the Provincial Board will join the trip.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano is also set to grace the international fair to promote the “One Philippines” holiday package there. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)