To fortify the alliance between the two cities, the City Government of Valenzuela through Mayor WES Gatchalian strengthens its partnership with the Municipality of Saint Bernard, Province of Southern Leyte led by Municipal Mayor Edito Mulig C.E., as the two forge a sisterhood agreement at the Valenzuela City Hall, February 28. 

Through the Resolution No. 2595, Series of 2022 which was approved by the City Council, this sisterhood agreement embodies the Interest of the City of Valenzuela to Establish Sisterhood/Twinning Relationship Agreement with the Municipality of Saint Bernard, Province of Southern Leyte.

The objective of this sisterhood agreement is to promote favorable relations of partnership and cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and friendship which shall advance and expand beneficial cooperation for development, and foster meaningful technical exchange and cooperation for sustainable development, trade and investment, tourism, information technology, human development, as well as culture and the arts. 

In his address, Valenzuela City Mayor WES Gatchalian pledged his commitment to the officials of the Municipality of Saint Bernard, “From this day forward, meron po kayong big brother na nasa likod niyo, andiyan po ang Lungsod ng Valenzuela, si Senator WIN, si DSWD Secretary REX, andito po kami sa mga araw na kakailanganin ninyo ng tulong at hopefully, kung kami ay mangailangan ng tulong ay maasahan po namin kayo.” [From this day forward, you have a big brother behind you, the City of Valenzuela, Senator WIN, and DSWD Secretary REX, we are here on the days you need help and hopefully, if we need help we can count on you.]

Meanwhile, Municipal Mayor Mulig imparted his sincerest message to the City of Valenzuela officials, “Maraming salamat Mayor WES at tinanggap mo kami maging sister ng Valenzuela City. Isang malaking karangalan na maging parte kayo ng magiging progress ng Saint Bernard.” [Thank you Mayor WES for accepting us to be a sister of Valenzuela City.... We are honored to have you be a part of the future progress of Saint Bernard.]

Mayor Mulig was a former Engineer of Gawad Kalinga who helped the City and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) build the Disiplina Village Lingunan - one of the four in-city relocation sites of Valenzuela City for informal settler families (ISF).

Officials from the Municipality of Saint Bernard also visited the Allied Local Emergency and Evacuation Response Team (ALERT) Center, the Disiplina Village Bignay, the VCDRRMO Training Center, and the WES Arena to do benchmarking. 

Joining the two Mayors during the signing were Sangguniang Bayan Officials of Saint Bernard headed by Vice Mayor Jocelyn Bungcaras; Valenzuela City Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja together with Councilors Ricar Enriquez, Niña Lopez, Chiqui Carreon, Louie Nolasco, Liga ng mga Barangay President Councilor Jonjon Bartolome, SK Federation President Goyong Serrano, and Pederasyon ng Barangay Kagawad ng Pilipinas (PBKP) President and Sabak President Coco Mayol. 

Also present in the event were National Capital Region (NCR) Liga President Ziffred Ancheta, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Valenzuela Director Sudi Valencia. 

To conclude the program, Mayor WES and Mayor Mulig exchanged tokens of appreciation as symbolism of sisterhood. 

The Municipality of Saint Bernard, Province of Southern Leyte is the 76th Sister Municipality of Valenzuela City. 

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