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| The Laoag City delegation to Hawaii, headed by mayor Michael Keon and the 10 Sangguniang Panlungsod members pay a courtesy call to City and County of Honolulu chairperson and presiding officer Tommy Waters and members of the City Council. (Photo courtesy of MMK) |
Laoag City—City
mayor Michael M. Keon led the city government’s delegation to the State of
Hawaii this August as per invitation of Honolulu city council chairperson and presiding
officer Tommy Waters.
Waters, in his
invitation, expressed his gratitude for the signing of the sisterhood
relationship between Honolulu and the City of Laoag a few months ago held here
in the city that resulted in the strong foundation for future collaborations.
It was learned
that Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Keon and Laoag vice mayor and Presiding
Officer Rey Carlos Farinas signed the sister city agreement, renewing the two
cities’ commitment to the prosperity of the relationship between them.
As this developed,
Waters formally invited the Laoag officials, headed by the mayor, saying he believes
that this would not only strengthen their bonds but also provide them the
opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation.
As a result,
Keon accepted the invitation along with a majority members of the Sangguniang
Panlungsod and several city government department heads.
Keon said the
delegation’s first item in their itinerary was a courtesy call to Blangiardi
and the Honolulu City Council headed by Waters.
The delegation
was welcomed by Waters and were serenaded by the Royal Hawaiian Band with
traditional Hawaiian songs followed by a meeting with Blangiardi. The
delegation likewise proceeded to the council chambers to meet with other council
members including Val Okimoto, Radiant Cordero, Tyler Dos-Santos Tam and Calvin
Say. Say is a former Speaker of the House concluding his 53 years of public
service after his last term.
Keon disclosed
that his meeting with Blangiardi and Waters primarily focused on potential
areas of cooperation, information exchange, and collaborative programs,
especially in the areas of climate change and resiliency, emergency
preparedness and management, tourism, and sustainable agriculture.
“One of the
exciting topics we explored was the potential for direct flights between
Honolulu and Laoag City which aims to promote investments, boost tourism, and
enable the Filipino citizens particularly the Ilocanos to reconnect with their
roots and further strengthen family ties by visiting their beloved hometown,
Laoag City,” Keon said
The Laoag mayor expressed
his “heartfelt gratitude” to Blangiardi and the Honolulu City Council, led
Waters, for their “warm hospitality and for facilitating fruitful discussions
during their visit”.
The delegation likewise paid a courtesy call to consul general Emil Fernandez and they also met with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Industry and engaged with leaders and members of the Filipino community in Hawaii, strengthening ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
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| The Laoag City delegation, headed by mayor Michael Keon with the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod visits and sustains cooperation with Honolulu Consul General Emil Fernandez during their official visit to Hawaii. (Photo courtesy of PCGH |
Aside from Keon,
joining the delegation were Laoag Councilors Enrico Ang, John Michael Fariñas,
Handy Lao, James Bryan Alcid, Derick Lao, Jason Bader Perera, Jaybee Baquiran
and Jeff Fariñas, with ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod
Sangguniang Kabataan Christoph Michael Agustin and Liga ng Mga Barangay
President Arbee Ablan and several department heads.
Laoag vice mayor
Rey Carlos Fariñas and Laoag councilor Juan Conrado Respicio stayed behind as
they served as acting mayor and acting vice mayor, respectively, along with
Laoag councilor Roger John Fariñas.
The delegation is
expected to arrive back in the country on Aug. 13, 2024.
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