A true friend, it has been said, is often proven most in times of need.
And for the city government of San Pedro, Laguna, it is in times of need that the true tests of friendship and cooperation among local government units should come into play.
This was evidenced by the recent assistance provided by the city government of San Pedro to the local government of Camalig, Albay.
Mayor Art Mercado personally handed over a check to Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo during the latter's visit to the San Pedro City Hall, along with other local officials from this town.
"Hindi man ito kalakihan, dalangin naming makatulong at makapagbigay ng kaunting pag-asa sa bawat pamilyang pansamantalang lumikas," Mercado declared in a social media post on July 21.
"Sa mga panahong tulad nito, mas nararamdaman natin ang halaga ng pagtutulungan at pagmamalasakit sa isa’t isa."
Camalig was one of the towns that was most affected by volcanic activity from Mount Mayon in past months.
At least 17 barangays in Camalig had been blanketed by thick ashfall from Mayon Volcano last May, prompting many residents to evacuate.
For the city government of San Pedro, the provision of financial aid to Camalig marks the fulfillment of the pledge it made when the two local governments entered into a sisterhood agreement two years ago.
To recall, the LGUs of San Pedro and Camalig entered into an agreement on March 1, 2024, that aims to foster partnerships between the two LGUs in the fields of economic and infrastructure cooperation, commerce and investment facilitation, education and arts promotion, knowledge transfer, tourism and cultural affairs enhancements, disaster relief and emergency response, local peace and order collaboration, and cross-visitations.
While so far, the city government of San Pedro was only able to provide financial assistance to Camalig, officials told OpinYon Laguna that they are ready to provide additional assistance under the sisterhood agreement.
"So far, financial assistance lang naman ang naabot, pero sa sisterhood agreement is of course tulungan if may disaster, sharing of best practices and knowledge," city officials said in a message to OpinYon Laguna.
(Photo courtesy of the San Pedro City Public Affairs and Information Office)
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