SISTER CITIES. Manila City Mayor Maria Sheillah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan (2nd from left) and Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul” Nieto (left), together with Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego (2nd from right) and Vice Mayor Tom Ledesma, show the symbolic keys to their respective cities during the signing of the twinning agreement in rites held at the Manila City Hall on Thursday (Sept. 15, 2022). Gallego said the twinning agreement would greatly benefit Silay. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Joedith C. Gallego’s Facebook page)
BACOLOD CITY – The City of Silay in Negros Occidental has entered into a twinning relationship with the City of Manila for various exchanges, particularly in local governance, culture, tourism, and trade.
The signing rites, led by Manila City Mayor Maria Sheillah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan and Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, were held at the Manila City Hall on Thursday afternoon.
“We have been warmly welcomed by the city officials of Manila. This twinning agreement will greatly benefit Silay,” Gallego said in a telephone interview on Friday.
Gallego was joined by Vice Mayor Tom Ledesma, city councilors, department heads, and village chiefs during the agreement signing.
He said Manila, being the country’s capital and one of the most established cities in the Philippines, could share ideas on how his administration could make Silay a better component city.
Both cities will exchange best practices in terms of the operations of the departments under their respective local government units.
“We will also have cultural and tourism exchanges. We are inviting them to visit Silay to see our tourism-related activities and programs,” Gallego added.
He said the first batch of four Manila city councilors is expected to visit Silay on September 30.
Silay, home of the Bacolod-Silay Airport, is considered the “cultural and intellectual hub of Negros” and is known for its collection of heritage mansions and unique local delicacies. (PNA)
