Cebu and Ilocos Norte governors sign memorandum of understanding

CEBU, Philippines - Governors Gwendolyn Garcia and Imee Marcos of the provinces of Cebu and Ilocos Norte, respectively, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a friendly and cooperative relationship between the two provinces.

The agreement was signed with both local chief executives’ desire to promote friendship between their people.

The two governors agreed on exchanging visits to enhance the two provinces’ tourism, education, culture, industry, agriculture, science and technology and sports, among others.

With this, regular meetings are expected between officials of both parties to identify areas of cooperation to implement the MOU.

Garcia considers it a “great move for Cebu to bond with another great province in the north such as Ilocos Norte.”

She said the MOU will surely benefit both provinces by learning from each other’s experiences.

“The distance did not mean so much, I felt so much at home at Ilocos Norte,” Garcia said, sharing her experience in visiting Ilocos more than a year ago.

Marcos, meanwhile, said Cebu and Ilocos Norte have many things in common such as people who are equally frugal and hardworking. She added that the two provinces may be separated geographically but the culture and heritage are not that much different.

Marcos said her province is the home of renewable energy such as wind, mini-hydro, and solar, and that they want to share such knowledge to other provinces.

“I did not expect that it would become a tourist destination,” Marcos expressed. She said their 19 windmills have become a tourist destination.

Since Cebu province is well known for its tourism, Marcos is certain that Cebu could impart information that Ilocos could use in dealing with their tourists.