Guam soon will have an official relationship with Olongapo City, Philippines, opening the door to increased tourism, cultural exchanges, workforce development and business investments, gubernatorial candidate and Sen. Eddie Baza Calvo announced.
Calvo's announcement came after a public hearing Saturday on a resolution, which would lead to a sister-city relationship with Olongapo City. The city is home to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, a booming urban area and former host to a U.S. Navy base.
“If you look at Zambales and compare it to Guam, we really have a lot of similarities,” Calvo said at the hearing. “There’s ways Guam can benefit with the usage of talent from the region. In about eight years, Guam’s economy of military construction will have to move toward another direction. There’s going to have to be something to replace it. We have to look at the long term with a mutually beneficial relationship with Olongapo. They found a way and, with the help of this partnership, we can too.”
Testimony on Resolution No. 60 unanimously favored authorizing an official sister-city relationship. Calvo heard testimony on his resolution from leaders from the Zambales Family Association of Guam, the Filipino-American Presidents and members of the Filipino Community of Guam. The Consul General of the Philippines, Guam Visitors Bureau and a past President of the FCG also submitted written testimony favoring passage of the resolution.
“The Philippine Consulate General believes that friendly and cooperative exchanges to promote culture, tourism and workforce development, as mentioned in your proposed Resolution’s draft agreement, will certainly work for the advancement of the interests of both Guam and Olongapo City,” Consul General Olivia Palala wrote. “Aside from being home to the naval base, Olongapo City was likewise a reliable source of skilled workers needed for the Subic Naval Base operations. It is thus foreseeable that the establishment of a sister-city relationship between Guam and Olongapo will benefit both parties tremendously in light of the impending military buildup on the island.”
Diversifying Tourism
Guam Visitors Bureau General Manager Gerry Perez provided testimony, which states this sister-city relationship can improve tourism and blossom well over time.
“We foresee increased travel between Guam and Olongapo with friends and relatives as well as developing business relationships between the two communities,” Perez wrote. “We believe this resolution to establish a sister-city relationship will be mutually fruitful and expect benefits to increase over time for the people of Guam and Olongapo, Philippines.”
Source Guampdn.com
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