DAGUPAN CITY—Local officials here inked a sisterhood pact with Zamboanga City leaders Saturday through a sisterhood agreement that aims to give mutual benefit for the two cities which are both known progressive cities in their respective area.

The memorandum of agreement signing was made in Zamboanga City after Dagupan City leaders led by Mayor Benjamin Lim and Vice Mayor Alvin Alipio Fernandez went to this Western Mindanao city for the pact and for a study tour.

Earlier this month, Zamboanga City leaders came to this Bangus Capital of the World.

Fernandez told this writer that “Zamboanga is also a financial, educational, health center of Western Mindanao, the same as Dagupan”.

He added that sisterhood is of friendship and exchange visits.

Fernandez said they proceeded to a sardines canning factory for exposure trip, and went to Badjao Livelihood center, the aviary, butterfly garden, Metropolitan church.
It is also a study of how the fishing industry in Mindanao has flourished.

Fernandez added that 70 percent of sardines in the Philippines come from Zamboanga.

Aside from Lim and Fernandez, Councilors Michael Fernandez, Farah Decano, Librada Reyna, Jojo Guadiz, Danilo Torio, Vlad Mata, Joey Tamayo, Alex de Venecia, Nick Aquino, Charisse Perez also went with the group.

On Zamboanga side, signatories were led by Mayor Celso Lobregat witnessed by Vice Mayor Isabelle Climaco.