The City Government of Victorias
headed by Mayor Francis Frederick Pulmones Palanca and the City Officials
welcomed guests from Nanjo City Okinawa Perfecture, Nanjo City Mayor Keishun
Koja, Nanjo City Chief of Planning Department Kenei Gushiken, Lequiowings
Executive Director Chochu Awa, Lequiowings Director Takeshi Kushima, JICA
Okinawa Partnership Program Division Deputy Director Yuji Wakasugi and JICA
(Japan International Cooperation Agency) Philippines Office Project Foundation
Advisor Kumiko Ogawa last Sept. 10-12.
The City hosted a welcome dinner for Nanjo
City Mayor Keishun Koja along with his team upon their arrival on Sept. 10.
On Sept. 11, the guests paid a
courtesy visit to Mayor Palanca before the signing of Agreement on Agri-Business/Agri-Eco-Tourism
Enhancement took place.
The said project was formulated after
several exchanges of views and series of discussions through the JICA
Philippines Office aimed at working out details of activities and measures to
be taken under the Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Projects of JICA.
“This agreement brings our cities
closer in friendship and cooperation as we work towards the common objective of
helping people through technical and technological exchanges.” Mayor Francis
Frederick Palanca said.
The Mayor also thanked the guests from
Nanjo City, JICA and Lequiowings for sharing their expertise and resources in
the development of our Agri-Business and Agri-Eco-Tourism in Victorias.
Mayor Palanca is confident that
through the collective efforts and commitment of both cities, the success of
this project will be achieved and it will be able to provide a better life for
the people.
A brief project presentation was given by Lequiowings
Executive Director Chochu Awa and Lequiowings Director Takeshi Kushima.
Nanjo City Mayor Keishun Koja
expressed his gratitude for the City’s warm welcome showed to them.
Furthermore he reiterated that he is
not only looking forward for the achievement of the project but for the interaction
that will extend to education, culture and other fields.
The groundbreaking of the Victorias
City Organic Market & Pasalubong Center at Cor. Jover-Quezon Sts. and
Agricultural Complex at Hda. Estrella Brgy. XIV followed after the signing
ceremony.
The guests had lunch at the Peñalosa
Farm and then visited Brgy. XIV, Negros Occidental National Science High
School, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Learning Center, Central
Philippines State University, Victorias City Coliseum and City Resort.
In the evening, the City prepared a
fellowship dinner at Toreno Fishpond where the City and barangay officials,
department heads and employees, businessmen and other sectors and City
stakeholders were present.
Mayor Palanca and the City officials
gave a friendship key to Mayor Koja and both Cities exchanged toasts and gifts
as a sign of strong friendship.
The tree planting and declaration and perspective
unveiling of Nanjo-Victorias City Friendship Park took place at the Gawahon
Ecological Park last Sept. 12.
After which, the Japanese visitors
went to the site of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Project at VNHS
Estado Extension, toured the Victorias Milling Company Compound and enjoyed a
sumptuous lunch hosted by VMC at the VMC Golf and Country Club.
The mutual exchange and partnership for various development projects of both
cities, Lequiowings and other parties concerned, supported by JICA will enhance the
Agri-Eco-Tourism of both cities, organic or natural farming production system
and effective distribution and marketing system of agricultural products and improve
many lives in Victorias and that of its partners.
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