ILOILO CITY - In a significant step towards fostering regional cooperation and development, the capital town of Aklan, Kalibo, and the highly urbanized City of Iloilo have officially become "sisters."
This sisterhood was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by Kalibo Mayor Juris Sucro and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on June 26, in Iloilo City.
The initiative, rooted in a vision of mutual benefit, was championed by Sangguniang Bayan member Phillip Kimpo, the principal author of Resolution No. 279 approved by Kalibo SB in 2002.
Kimpo applauded the formalization of this partnership, emphasizing its potential to deepen ties in disaster relief, tourism promotion, heritage and culture preservation, investment, trade, social welfare, and public safety.
“Iloilo City has been a second home to thousands of Kalibonhons and Aklanons, being the commercial, educational, administrative, and cultural center of Panay Island. Kalibo is an ancient town that in recent years has experienced rapid growth on the road to being a full-fledged city,” Kimpo noted. His words underscore the historical and contemporary connections between these two vibrant communities.
Mutual Advantage
Mayor Sucro highlighted the agreement's potential to offer mutual advantages and possibilities for both locales.
“Thank you to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and the City Government Council for creating a welcoming environment that fosters collaboration and mutual growth,” Sucro expressed. This sentiment reflects the optimism and forward-looking nature of this partnership.
For Mayor Treñas, the sisterhood marks the dawn of a new era of progress and cooperation. He envisions strong collaborations that will elevate services for their constituents. The relationship between Kalibo and Iloilo City is not just a formal agreement but a commitment to collective growth and regional advancement.
The journey towards this partnership began with a delegation from Kalibo, led by Mayor Sucro, visiting Mayor Treñas in Iloilo City in August 2022. This visit was a step towards exploring partnership opportunities and establishing a friendly relationship with Iloilo, an internationally acclaimed heritage hub.
Symbolic Gesture
This sisterhood is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a strategic alliance poised to harness the strengths of both communities.
For Kalibo, the rapid growth and aspirations of becoming a full-fledged city will benefit from Iloilo City's established commercial, educational, and cultural infrastructure. For Iloilo City, this partnership opens doors to deeper connections and collaborations within the region, reinforcing its status as a central hub.
As we witness the forging of this sisterhood, it is essential to acknowledge the forward-thinking leadership and shared vision that made it possible.
The residents of both Kalibo and Iloilo City stand to gain from this partnership, as it promises enhanced services, robust economic growth, and a strengthened sense of community. Here’s to a future of shared prosperity and enduring friendship between these sister cities.
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