MikeLigalig.com

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a sisterhood relationship between the two provinces.

Garcia said both provinces can learn from each other in areas like renewable energy, tourism design expertise and manufacturing.

Her chief-of-staff Elizabeth Francia said the MOU is the first step prior to the formal signing of the memorandum of agreement on the sisterhood ties, where specific areas of cooperation will be discussed and finalized.

The MOA will be signed on July 2 in Ilocos Norte.

Marcos, in a letter to Garcia dated Dec. 16, 2010, said they realized the importance of building a close relationship with Cebu. She attached a copy of a provincial resolution, endorsing and authorizing her to sign the agreement.

“The two provinces can join hands in the spirit of unity, friendship, amity, cooperation and embark on a momentum of accelerated development thru the establishment of a sisterhood relationship,” the resolution said.

The Cebu Provincial Board also passed a resolution, endorsing the establishment of a sisterhood relationship between Cebu and Ilocos Norte.

Garcia said Ilocos Norte is considered the home of renewable energy in the country because of its wind farm, mini-hydro and proposed solar facility.

Marcos said Ilocos Norte’s wind farm is the first of its kind in Asia.

She said they can assist the Capitol tap the help of the Danish International Development Agency (Danida), which helped them initiate the project.

Although it is not “employment-heavy,” she said wind energy breaks the cost of electricity down eventually.

She said more international funding has been made available for renewable energy, especially after the world saw the dangers posed by nuclear power in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last March 11. = PNA

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=40039.0