CITY OF MALOLOS – The provincial government of Bulacan and the state of California can now enjoy mutually beneficial educational, economic and cultural exchanges as they forged a sisterhood relationship at the Marco Polo Hotel in Pasig City on Wednesday night.
In a statement on Thursday, Katrina Anne Bernardo-Balingit, Provincial Public Affairs Office chief, said the sisterhood ties were initiated last August when the California Senate enacted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 57 authored by Senator Anthony Portantino which extended an invitation to the province of Bulacan for a sister state relationship to promote prosperity and improve international understanding and goodwill between them.
She said during the event, Arch. Editha M. Fuentes, chair of the City Planning Commission of the City of Glendale, California recalled that the measure received a unanimous vote of “Yes” from all the senators present during the presentation.
“This recognition affirms the many contributions of the Filipino-Americans to the history of culture and achievements in California and the United States. We appreciate the chance to further our friendship and relationship with California and the Province of Bulacan. I look forward to the many years of the great sister-province relationship,” Fuentes said.
Balingit said in response, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Resolution No. 538-S’2023 signed by Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro approving and accepting the partnership between Bulacan and California.
Castro said in a statement that the forging of ties is a true manifestation of their willingness to foster mutual understanding in prospective undertakings within the areas of trade and tourism and hope for continuous exchange of ideas and learnings in leadership with the state of California.
“With the leadership of our People’s Governor Daniel R. Fernando, together with the whole Provincial Council, our hopes are high that our international relations facilitate many developments in various fields,” the vice governor said. (PNA)
