SAN JOSE, Antique – This capital town is planning to create a “sisterhood pact” with Silay City in Negros Occidental.
The provincial board here last week unanimously approved during its regular session the creation of the “sisterhood committee” that would carry out the twinning relationship.
Antique Provincial Board Member Errol Santillan, chairman of the committee on history and cultural heritage, said the creation of a “sisterhood committee” is an initial step to forge a twinning relationship between this town and Silay City.
Santillan added the committee is a requirement by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which supervises local government units (LGUs), forging a sisterhood relationship.
“The sisterhood committee will discuss the affiliation idea and will determine the choice of the LGU to affiliate with,” he said.
The committee will be a true cross-section representation of the community, such as the educational, cultural, technical, business, professional, social, civic, religious, youth, and media, among others.
It will also be tasked to prepare background information about the twinning LGUs, and outline the type of business activities to be carried out, Santillan said.
He added the local chief executives of this capital town and Silay City have mutual interest in further developing their economic, social, cultural, political, and historical ties.
“Silay City has the Heritage Zone Ordinance, which San Jose can also replicate,” he said.
According to Santillan, Silay City – considered as the next Vigan in the preservation and conservation of historical sites – can assist San Jose in preserving its old infrastructures to further attract tourists and boost its economy.
San Jose has several historical sites, such as the San Pedro Convent and remnants of the old Spanish Fort.(With a report from PNA/PN)
