Sokor execs in Cebu City to strengthen partnership

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Yeosu, South Korea Mayor Ju Cheolhyeon will meet today to further discuss its long-term partnership as sister cities.

Ju will be accompanied by his Social Welfare and Health Chief Park Hyeojun,  Public Information Chief Jung Songho,  Education Support Chief Kim Ilju,  Secretary to the Mayor Lee Cheolseung,  Finance and Accounting Chief Yun Samgjun, and Investment Attraction Officer Myung Seongwon.

Alvin Dizon, who heads Cebu City’s Sister Cities Commission, said that Ju’s courtesy visit today until Wednesday will tackle discussions in the area of health, education, agriculture, and cultural exchange.

“After Mayor Osmeña’s visit to Yeosu, South Korea, his counterpart Mayor Ju and six city officials (will be here) to further discuss cooperation projects between the two cities,” Dizon said.

He added that the paramount objective of the partnership is to foster international relations with other foreign sister cities and to develop common projects of common interests.

In the same manner, Ju has expressed his gratitude to Osmeña during the latter’s official trip with Dizon to Korea two weeks ago.

“I would like to deliver my gratitude for your attendance in the 52nd Yeosu Turtleship Festival, the biggest event of our city’s culture and history.  I expect to strengthen our relationship and cooperation, and will meet a turning point for the prosperity of both cities,” Ju wrote in his response letter.

The Korean delegates are expected to visit Magellan’s Cross and Sto. Niño Church, said Dizon.

He added that they will also be tackling about the donation of medical supplies and equipment, including the vegetable farming and growing of cultured mussels (tahong) in the meeting.

Cebu City and Yeosu, South Korea have been partner cities since 2011.

Osmeña, for his part, said that one of the significant parts of the meeting is to help a young lady who met an accident 10 years ago.

She will be assisted as she undergoes a plastic surgery, with all expenses and transportation taken cared of.

“I am very excited about this because it is nice to be able to give someone a life…You can see she was very pretty before, she is now about 30 years old. We will make her pretty again,” Osmeña told The FREEMAN. — Marienel M. Janea (FREEMAN)