Davao and Zamboanga cities forge sisterhood ties


Davao mayor Sara Duterte and Zamboanga mayor Beng Climaco present the Sisterhood document to guests during the historic signing at the Zamboanga city hall on July 15, 2021. (Photo by Liza Jocson/MANILA BULLETIN)

Davao and Zamboanga cities have forged a sisterhood agreement towards fostering a better relationship during ceremonies held at the Zamboanga City Hall Thursday, July 15.

Two Mindanao lady mayors, Davao mayor Sara Duterte and Zamboanga mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, signed the agreement in the presence of House Representative Lord Allan Velasco, Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, Zamboanga Congressman Jawo Jimenez and other city officials.

The agreement aims to establish a sister city relationship to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and the exchange of ideas in several fields.

“Now we are writing history between Zamboanga and Davao by signing this Sisterhood Agreement. Our two cities are strong, but we are stronger together,” said Mayor Duterte in her speech.

Davao mayor Sara Duterte and Zamboanga mayor Beng Climaco sign the Sisterhood Agreement documents at the Zamboanga city hall on July 15, Thursday. (Photo by Liza Jocson/MANILA BULLETIN)

The signing of the sisterhood pact is the culmination of an agreement between Zamboanga and Davao cities to forge a closer relationship which started six years ago.

In the year 2015, Zamboanga city officials visited Davao city to sign a pledge with then mayor Rodrigo Duterte to forge closer city ties.

“What your father began has been realized by his daughter. Please thank President Duterte. We have accomplished what he has began in this sisterhood signing,” said Mayor Climaco to the Davao mayor.

Climaco also thanked Mayor Duterte for assistance extended to Zamboanga City, the latest of which is sending Davao doctors to help in the treatment of survivors in the C-130 military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu.

Duterte also donated two RT-PCR machines for the use of Zamboanga city in its fight against COVID-19.

“We are very blessed with this opportunity. We pray that this partnership will continue,” said Climaco.