Northern Samar and Benguet provinces are set to sign a sisterhood agreement to collaborate on economic development and resource sharing. The Northern Samar provincial government announced that the agreement is scheduled for November, coinciding with a visit by Visayas officials to Benguet. The proposal came from Benguet officials, led by Board Member Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, during their visit to Northern Samar from August 29 to September 1.
Fongwan-Kepes expressed hope that the sisterhood pact would allow both provinces to pool resources and improve livelihoods. Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan welcomed the proposal, highlighting that the visit demonstrated Northern Samar’s progress in economic development and investment promotion.
The Benguet delegation, which included board members and department heads, conducted a four-day benchmarking visit to Northern Samar to study its best practices in investment facilitation. Ongchuan noted that while Benguet gained insights on investment promotion, Northern Samar could benefit from Benguet’s advanced agricultural systems under the sisterhood agreement.
Northern Samar’s Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office has already attracted significant investments, particularly in alternative energy, thanks to innovative strategies. The upcoming sisterhood agreement is expected to further enhance these efforts. (PNA)