Davao City to renew sisterhood ties with Manado, Bitong

Davao City can look forward to a more vibrant relationship with Indonesia in the future after the renewal of the sisterhood agreements between Davao and the cities of Manado and Bitung in Indonesia.

This was bared by councilor Rachel Zozobrado who said that they are presently preparing a better agreement with the two cities in Indonesia to pave the way for more active economic and social ties with the two cities.

“Our sisterhood agreements with these cities have expired and we are trying to formulate a new agreement that will benefit both Davao and the two Indonesian cities,” Zozobrado said. As per the terms of Davao City’s sisterhood agreements with the two cities, the agreements are automatically renewed after expiration unless expressly revoked by either of the parties. In this case, she said, both parties are trying to create an agreement that will be a step forward from the original one.

Zozobrado, who is the chairperson of the committee on international relations, said Indonesia has expressed its desire to renew the sisterhood agreement with Davao. However, she added, the Indonesia consul has requested a more detailed document that will feature the benefits that can be derived by Davao, Manado and Bitung from the sisterhood agreement.

Davao has lots of similarities with the two Indonesia cities aside from their common membership in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA.

Bitung in North Sulawesi is popular for its colorful and healthy marine life while Manado in North Sulawesi is a growing city much like Davao.