Tanauan, Leyte (January 23) -- Tanauan, Leyte and Makati City will formalize their Sisterhood Agreement on February 9, 2009 at the New Makati City Hall, Tanauan Mayor Roque A. Tiu informed.

Mayor Tiu said that the establishment of Sisterhood relationship between the two LGUs which has been in the oping for quite some time, is deemed fitting considering that Makati City is known as the "Business and Financial Capital" and the "Corporate Center of the Philippines" while Tanauan has been adjudged as the "Most Business Friendly Municipality in the Philippines."

Mayor Tiu and the municipal officials of Tanauan are scheduled to visit as official guests of Makati City on February 9-11. The Tanauan will be billeted at the Friendship Suites which is owned by the City of Makati, Mayor Tiu said.

On February 9, the delegation will have a tour of the Makati City Hall. Best practices presentation will be conducted, after which Acting Makati City Administrator Marjorie A. De Veyra will present Local Governance: The Makati City Experience.

The Tanauan-Makati Sisterhood Pact Signing Ceremony will be held at the Session Hall at the 22nd Floor of the City Hall, at 10:00 o'clock in the morning. This will start with the Opening Remarks by Makati City Councilor Maria Theresa de Lara and followed by the introduction of the Makati City Officials and the Tanauan Officials.

Mayor Roque A. Tiu and Mayor Jejomar Binay will deliver their respective messages before they officially sign the Sisterhood Pact. This will be followed by a toast to be led by Makati City Councilor Ernesto Aspillaga and the presentation of gifts.

In the afternoon, the Tanauan delegation will have a tour at the Pitogo Barangay Hall, University of Makati, Barangay Comembo Material Recovery Facilities and then Malling at the Market Market.

Mayor Tiu said that sister-city or town-twinning is the highest form of inter-LGU partnership, in-country or abroad, which enables partner communities or local authorities to implement mutually-beneficial activities, such as exchange visits, organized tours, club affiliations and exchange of professional and technical expertise and cooperation.

Local government units nationwide are encouraged to explore more opportunities for twinning partnerships with their LGU counterparts here and abroad as a means to promote goodwill and understanding, as well as other socio-cultural and economic aspects of development, Mayor Tiu said. (PIA 8)