ILOILO CITY – Dobong-gu of South Korea has been warmly embraced as the newest sister city of Iloilo City, marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the city hall penthouse on Tuesday.
Mayor Jerry Treñas and Dobong-gu Mayor Oh Eon-Seok sealed the agreement, setting the stage for substantial future interactions between the two cities.
“This accord unlocks a plethora of opportunities, including cultural exchanges, bolstering business ties and investments, educational programs, and the sharing of expertise in smart city initiatives and green technologies,” remarked Treñas in his statement.
He said Dobong-gu is renowned for its rapid urbanization and development and its rich cultural heritage steeped in notable figures and historical sites that have shaped the narrative of South Korea.
Treñas said the two cities also share many values, including the commitment to innovation, sustainability and fostering a collaborative environment.
Mayor Oh, in his speech, said they look forward to “substantial cooperation” in sectors like education, economy, culture and sports.
Dobong-gu is one of the 25 districts of Seoul.
The discussion on the sister city ties started in the Seoul district during the May 2023 public-private partnership benchmarking conference of the CityNet, an association of urban stakeholders committed to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Serving as witnesses to the ceremony were Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and representatives from the Dobong-gu District Office. (Mary Joy Cavañas/PNA)
