San juan city: San Juan City has formalized sisterhood ties with Negros Occidental and the province’s 32 local government units (LGUs) to facilitate the exchange of best practices in local governance and tourism development.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement was signed during a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, attended by San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives. Mayor Zamora, who also serves as the president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted the mutual benefits of sharing effective governance strategies and tourism initiatives.

The collaboration aims to promote Negrense products at San Juan’s Greenhills Shopping Center, a proposal endorsed by Governor Lacson. Mayor Zamora emphasized that this initiative would help introduce these products throughout Metro Manila. Additionally, the agreement seeks to enhance tourism opportunities, encouraging visitors from both regions to explore each other’s attractions.

Governor Lacson noted that the partnership reflects a shared spirit of unity and cooperation, emphasizing its potential to foster growth in governance, economic development, tourism, cultural exchange, and community engagement. He highlighted that the agreement symbolizes the collective effort of Negros Occidental’s local leaders to drive progress and accessibility across their communities.

Negros Occidental, apart from Bacolod City, includes cities such as Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias, along with municipalities like Binalbagan, Calatrava, Cauayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, Manapla, Murcia, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Toboso, Valladolid, and Candoni.