Cebu to ink sisterhood with Vancouver, Canada

CEBU, Philippines — It is a go for Cebu City’s friendly city relationship with Vancouver, Canada, after the city council gave its nod to the proposal.

The approval came after the first and only elected official in British Columbia and the whole of Canada with Cebuano heritage, Mable Tabotabo Elmore, appeared at the City Council’s regular session yesterday.

Elmore’s mother is originally from Tuburan, Cebu.

She said forging a friendly city relationship with Cebu City will be beneficial for both cities.

“Our aim and our goal (are) to elevate Cebu City and to forge friendly city status; the first in Canada, and to raise up Cebu City across Canada and North America,” said Elmore, who plans to give the Canadians a better understanding of her roots.

Both cities, Elmore said, have a lot in common, from tourism to culture and arts and she also looks forward to improved trade relations.

“Vancouver is known to be a gateway to the Asia-Pacific and Cebu City as the Queen of the South,” added Elmore.

She also said there is a big demand for travel for Canadians and Cebu City is a ”great place to come (to).”

Elmore also looks forward to seeing the rest of the City Council visit Canada soon after hosting Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor James Cuenco last year.

Cuenco, in return, had asked the rest of the city council to give a go for Rama to enter into a friendship city agreement with Vancouver as soon as possible.

“Because of the very inspiring speech of our guest of honor (Elmore), I would like to shortcut some proceedings here. I propose that we authorize the mayor to sign a friendship city agreement with Vancouver,” Cuenco said.

Even before this, however, Rama had already received several pledges of support from the Canadians during his visit last year which included the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center. – GAN (FREEMAN)