Tagudin, Ilocos Sur officials visit Davao, commend Davao City’s programs

Delegates from the Municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur headed by Mayor Roque S. Versoza, Jr. visited Davao City on January 12, 2023, to conduct benchmarking activities and have a courtesy meeting with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte.

The rest of the delegation includes Tagudin Vice Mayor Evangeline I. Versoza, Sangguniang Bayan members, and other municipal officials.

During the meeting held at the City Mayor’s Office Conference Room, Mayor Versoza lauded the governance in Davao City and the effective partnership between its legislative and executive branches. He remarked that Davao was able to cultivate efficient governing strategies throughout decades, on top of the creation of the most effective and lasting ordinances that they hope to replicate for their municipality.

The Tagudin Mayor also said that he is thankful for the opportunity to learn from different offices and departments including the City Tourism Operations Office, Davao City Investment Promotion Center, and the City Economic Enterprise Office, noting that they are learning great wisdom that has been refined in the past three to four decades. Mayor Versoza said that he values these learnings as this will help set a better direction for his municipality for the benefit of his constituents.

In response, Mayor Duterte said that a big part of the successful implementation of local laws and ordinances is the participation of the people and the majority’s trust to the local government, citing landmark ordinances including the city’s fireworks prohibiton, smoking ban, and speed limit.

Both chief executives agreed to further discuss how to maximize the Sister City Agreement with plans of engagements in the near future.

The Municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Davao City formally became Sister Cities on June 23 2021 through the agreement signed by Mayor Versoza and then Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte.

Also present for the Courtesy Visit is Acting Vice Mayor Alfredo Ungab, City Council Chairman for the Committee on Internation Relations, Coun. Agosto Javier Campos, and City Information Officer Harvey Lanticse.

Aside from the mentioned offices, the delegation also visited the Museo Dabawenyo, Agdao Public Market, and Central 911.