creation of local group that will follow up sisterhood
pacts to strengthen Davao’s business, int’l. relations

The bid to create a local body that would map out plans and activities that would further Davao City’s sisterhood agreements is expected to strengthen the city’s business and international relations.

“The DCIPC has performed well in promoting the city but since it is more focused on investment promotions then there is a need to create a group that will be able to explore various linkages arising from these sisterhood agreements,” Council Committee on Tourism chair Susan Reta said.

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado, who is chair of the Committee on International Relations, has proposed a resolution creating a technical working group that would help follow up the sisterhood agreements entered into by the city.

“The body that would be formed aims to assist the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center in strengthening the city’s international relations,” Zozobrado said yesterday during a committee hearing on the said matter.

Most of the sisterhood pacts signed by the city have not really been explored and this is unfortunate considering that we can benefit from these agreements in terms of business, educational and other linkages, she said.

DCIPC officer-in-charge Bobby Teo said there were plans to join a Chambers’ forum in Naning last year but the local chamber desisted since the schedule coincided with the Christmas holidays. He said they are hopeful that more economic activities would be exchanged with Palau although it is a small market.

“Everytime we have a sisterhood we just stop there,” Reta said. I hope that with the formation of a body that will be tasked to follow through on these agreements, Davao will have more economic and tourism transactions with the areas where have sisterhood agreements.

Zozobrado clarified that the proposed group will not take over the work of the DCIPC but will instead act as a support group that will really look into what the city can do to explore these sisterhood pacts. “Hindi lang naman business linkages ang makukuha natin if we explore these pacts marami pang iba,” she added.

Commitee Hearing:

The Status Of The Water Project In Sitio Cebuda, Bago Oshiro

(l-r)councilors bonicaio militar, rachel zozobrado and bago oshiro bgy. captain jonah macarayo

Residents of Sitio Cebuda in Bago Oshiro yesterday flocked to the City Council to rally for the implementation of the water project which has been delayed due to several problems involving the Bureau of Plant Industry XI and the Davao City Water District.

The water project, which was funded by the late councilor Jesus Zozobrado Jr., suffered hitches after BPI wrote DCWD saying the water project in the area is traversing the property being managed by BPI. It also said the installation of the water pipe will only encourage more squatters in the area.

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado delivered a privilege speech during last week's City Council session where she lamented the snail-pacing of the project despite the fact that every effort has been done by the barangay to push for its full implementation. She said efforts were made to appease the demands of BPI and this problem was already settled last year so DCWD allowed the hydrotesting. However, up to now, there is still no main water line operating in Sitio Cebuda in Bago Oshiro to the detriment of the residents who have been living in the area without water for several years already.

Councilor Bonifacio Militar scheduled this morning's hearing and invited DCWD and BPI to shed light on the matter. DCWD claimed that they still have to disinfect the line and this requires a payment of P11,839.70. Zozobrado said DCWD should have told the project proponent or the government agencies involved with the project as early as last year after the hydrotesting about the requirement.

DCWD Planning and Design Division chief Engineer Roendo Almonte apologized saying it may have been their fault as they failed to include the said amount in the project design which was the basis of the project cost. However, he assured Zozobrado and Militar that the project will be fasttracked as soon as the disinfection fee is paid.

"Wala man mi kabalo na naa diay pabayaran pa para sa disinfection fee ngano karon man lang nag-ingon ang Water District bisag kami na lanf unta nag tunga-tunga sa barangay para muagas lang ang tubig," barangay captain Jonah Macarayo said.