By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – The twinning of Bacolod and Iloilo cities is just the beginning of a productive partnership that would give birth to the Ilonggo economic empire in this part of the country underlined by a vision of creating “One Visayas Region”.
This was stressed by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog who led the Iloilo City contingent together with Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III during the Twinning Agreement signing ceremony yesterday at the New Government Center.
The event was the highlight of the 31st Charter Anniversary celebration of Bacolod City.
He explained that although the terms “twinning” and “sisterhood” are the same, he thinks “twinning” is the most appropriate word to describe the relationship between the two cities because sisters may vary in appearance and characteristics but twins denote similitude – a perfect likeness.
Mabilog said he pushed for the twinning agreement because “we are not just neighbors but we are friends. “We are not just friends but blood brothers and we are not just brothers we are twins.”
Mabilog added that Bacolod and Iloilo cities “share the same language and we have families straddling our two cities with business links and exchanges, with relatives shuttling the short span of sea separating us.”
He hopes the twinning of Iloilo and Bacolod cities “will be strong and profitable for our constituents and bring our people into a close understanding and promote projects of common benefit.”
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Bacolod and Iloilo share so many similarities with the population almost the same at 500,000 and are identified as growth centers for economic development.
If Bacolod and Iloilo will join forces, both cities can go far together.
Senate Majority Floor Leader, Juan Miguel Zubiri was the guest of honor and speaker of the celebration.
He said he will sponsor a bill for the establishment of One Visayas Region through the building of bridges that would connect Iloilo to Bacolod and Negros through Dumaguete City to Cebu.
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