Cebu City execs off to Netherlands to strengthen sister-city relations

CEBU City officials headed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña will fly to the City of Haarlemmermeer in Netherlands today to celebrate the silver anniversary or 25th year of sister-city relations between the two cities.

Osmeña will be traveling with former councilor Alvin Dizon, the newly appointed consultant for the Sister City Commission.

Along with them are Councilors Nendell Hanz Abella and Margarita Osmeña, Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) head Lea Japson and 10 kids from the Cebu City Dance Sports Team.

The Dance Sports Team will be performing in one of the events there.

The Dutch city will be the home of the delegates for more than a week.

“Haarlemmermeer has been so good to us. They have given us so much importance. They have been of help to us with all their projects here. They’ve given P10 million for CCMC (Cebu City Medical Center),” Osmeña said.

The mayor said the travel costs will be shouldered individually. He, however, said he will charge something to the city for refund.

“I cannot expect them to pay for everything. (The money will be) minimal. Everything is minimal once I spend,” he said.

The visit aims to strengthen ties and linkages, create projects for emergency response, health, environment, technological advancements, among others.

The mayor is also set to visit Kortrijk City in Belgium.

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