Ambassadors eye sisterhood ties with Cebu

CEBU, Philippines – Eight ambassadors coming from different countries paid a courtesy call to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday morning.

The governor said the ambassadors were enthusiastic in forging sisterhood ties with the province of Cebu that may have common areas of interest with their own provinces.

The first batch of visitors was composed of Ambassadors Wadee Al-Batti of Iraq, Nawalage Bennet Cooray of Sri Lanka, Mohsin Razl of Pakistan, Kristiarto S. Legowo of Indonesia, Perez Iturbe of Venezuela, Hos Serey Thonh of Cambodia and deputy head of mission Pham Hao of Vietnam. They were in Cebu recently to join a business forum organized by the City Gov-ernment of Mandaue for the celebration of its 41st Charter Day.

Garcia said she told the foreign visitors that their coming to Cebu was an indication of tremendous vote of confidence in the peace and order situation of the province, its vibrant economy and its number of scenic spots. The ambassadors for their part expressed appreciation on the hospitality of the Cebuanos and their ability to speak English with them.

Because of the warm welcome they received from Cebuanos, the ambassadors told the governor they are positive in promoting exchanges between their provinces and Cebu and are now seriously looking for sisterhood agreement.

Garcia said the Iraqi ambassador was very enthusiastic about the forging of ties and likewise informed the governor that Cebuanos are welcome to work in Iraq which is now at the threshold of construction boom as the war now begins to whine down. The foreign country is looking at rebuilding its structures, same with their educational system and agricultural system and technologies. The governor hopes for a possible economic activity between Cebu and a province of Iraq.

Al-Batti is hopeful that the travel ban to Iraq the Philippine government imposed on Filipino workers would be lifted soon.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Angola, Flavio Fonseca, also paid a visit to the governor's office yesterday accompanied by Candice Gotianuy, the chancellor of the University of Cebu and the secretary of state of fisheries. 

Garcia was glad to hear that there was an advance composition of sisterhood ties between Cebu and a province of Angola initiated by the secretary of state of fisheries.

The governor said the signing of agreement between UC and the Angolan government with regards to the teaching of Marine courses was not just plain academic ties but a multi-faceted establishment of ties between Cebu and Angola that includes official, political and business ties. (FREEMAN)