LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the City Government of San Juan, Metro Manila signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which formally established a sisterhood partnership between the two local government units (LGUs).

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the ceremonial MOA signing at Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center.

Under the said agreement, the two LGUs will share their knowledge and best practices in local governance in various areas such as tourism, trade, commerce, industry, sports, education, environmental protection, public health, and social services.

“San Juan has a special place in my heart and in the hearts of my family. Syempre, our ancestral home is in San Juan. So, we will always consider San Juan as our home, and our sisterhood agreement is just right,” said Manotoc.

Moreover, Manotoc also thanked the city government of San Juan for their financial assistance amounting to P1.5 million when the province was severely affected by Supertyphoon Egay.

In response, Zamora also expressed appreciation to the PGIN for their hospitality and tie-up in governance.

“Alam ko po na dapat ay nagpapahinga kayo ngayon, ngunit naglaan po kayo ng oras para maipakita sa amin ang inyong mainit na pagtanggap. Dahil dito, kami ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat,” said Zamora.

It can be recalled the two LGUs also initiated collaboration through the Producers 2 Consumers (P2C) Program. This program aimed at empowering accredited MSME entrepreneurs and farmers in the province of Ilocos Norte by providing them an avenue to market their products not only in San Juan City, but in various areas in the country. (JCR/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)