Davao’s sisterhood agreement with Keelung, Taiwan
strengthened with Lions Medical Mission-Zozobrado

The conduct of economic and medical missions between Davao City and other cities with which it has signed sisterhood agreements can help Dabawenyos who are living below poverty level.

“Last Sunday’s medical, dental and optical mission spearheaded by the Davao City Host Lions Club which was attended and facilitated by the Ambassador Donald C.T. Lee of the Republic of China-Taipei Economic and Cultural office has strengthened not only the economic but also the social ties between the two sister cities,” councilor Rachel Zozobrado, chair of the Council Committee on International Relations said.

Zozobrado said this only proves that sisterhood agreements are not solely for economic purposes but also for strengthening people linkages between the two cities. The best thing about this is that even the “common tao” are starting to feel the positive effects of Davao City’s sisterhood agreement with other cities like Nanning, China and Keelung, Taiwan.

“Most people feel that sisterhood agreements are only on paper and if ever there are positive results arising from the agreement it does not seep through the masses,” she said. The hundreds of residents of Bankerohan and nearby barangays who have benefited from the Medical Mission are living proof that the city can benefit from exploring sisterhood agreements with other cities whether located in the Philippines or in other countries.

Zozobrado also commended the efforts of the Lions Club and the doctors and nurses from the Davao Medical Center in making healthcare more accessible to the poor Dabawenyos. “Life is hard and the costs of basic commodities as well as healthcare has risen and most of our fellow Dabawenyos could not even afford the basic medical check-up as a result of lack of financial capability,” she added.

We are hoping that in partnership with the private sector and other private organizations like the Lions Club and the Taiwan Association there would be more free medical missions for the Dabawenyos, she said.