Palawan: Puerto Princesa is eager to create sister city links with Kota Kinabalu and hopes MASwings will resume flights to the city, allowing for more cooperation in tourism, culture, and arts.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron expressed the desire during a courtesy call by a delegation from Sabah, led by Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Datuk Dr Roland Chia, here, recently.
The delegates included Malaysia Maritime Silk Route Research Society key president Prof Datuk Dr Wilson Yong Tung Yung, Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Business Council (BEBC) Sabah deputy chairman Datuk James Lim and Malaysia Maritime Silk Route Research Society Forum chairman Dr Damian Lee.
The delegation was invited to attend the BIMP East Asean Growth Area International Research Conference organised by the Palawan State University (PSU) on Feb 9.
During the meeting, Bayron expressed his hope for MASwings to revive its flight to Puerto Princesa, as well as introduce more routes in the region, as this would enhance cooperation in arts and culture.
“Puerto Princesa and Kota Kinabalu complement each other well in the fields of tourism, culture and arts.
“Integrating the strengths of both cities and launching more flight routes will greatly benefit both Puerto Princesa and Kota Kinabalu.”
He further suggested establishing sister city ties with Kota Kinabalu to pave the way for deeper cooperation.
On another note, Bayron informed that Palawan’s population stood at about 1 million.
He said investors could consider setting up slaughterhouses for poultry, including halal meat, in the province to stabilize and for supply to the local markets and surrounding areas.
In response, Chia said he would convey Bayron’s desire to establish sister city ties to the State Government.
He said the State Government welcomed sincere and pragmatic cooperations, and looked forward to more visits and interactions with Puerto Princesa in the future.
He said the fruitful meeting has inspired possibilities and opportunities for collaborations and exchanges.
Also present were Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Dorcas M. Banzuelo and City Tourism Officer, Demetrio C. Alvior JR.
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