GMA congratulates Jiangxi and Bohol for sisterhood agreement

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated Bohol and Jiangxi , China for establishing sisterhood ties to enhance economy, tourism, culture, education, trade and industry cooperation. Gov. Erico Aumentado yesterday afternoon led the Bohol delegation that flew to China for a series of activities highlighted by the signing of the sisterhood agreement on May 8. Aumentado will read President Arroyo's congratulatory message dated May 2 after the signing ceremony at the Jiangxi Hotel. “Undoubtedly, the sisterhood agreement will enhance the bilateral relations between the two provinces and their peoples,” she said.

In the larger perspective, the sisterhood agreement between Jiangxi and Bohol will strengthen the diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of the Philippines , which is now in its 31st year, she wrote. “The relationship between our two countries and peoples is anchored on mutual respect, friendship, cooperation and amity. Let the sisterhood agreement, therefore, be a bridge of opportunity for the provinces of Jiangxi and Bohol for a closer relationship that could bring about much progress,” the President added.

The underpinning of the sisterhood pact is the Memorandum of Friendly Exchange and Cooperation signed by Chairman Meng Jian Zhu of the Standing Committee of the Jiangxi Provincial People's Congress and Aumentado last Sept. 6 at the MetroCentre Hotel in Tagbilaran City. Meng had expressed appreciation when President Arroyo also received him and his party in Malacañang during that visit.

The delegation's point of entry was Xiamen where Filipino-Chinese businessman-philanthropist Carlos Chan of the Oishi Group hosted a welcome banquet at the Holiday Inn Hotel. Chan is sponsoring the trip of the Boholanos that include 20 slots for the Loboc Children's Choir (LCC). This morning, the delegates the Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Park and the SM Shopping Mall in Jinjiang City, and after lunch, the Isiet Ring Road and the SM Shopping Mall in Xiamen. Dinner will be at the East Ocean Restaurant still hosted by the Oishi Group.

Tomorrow morning, the delegation flies from Xiamen to the Nanchang Changbei Airport . After checking in at the Gloria Plaza Hotel, the group will visit the Tengwangge Pavillion before proceeding to Jiangxi Hotel. Leaders of the Jiangxi provincial government Hotel will meet the visitors on the 8th floor. The signing will be on the 3rd floor while the banquet will be on the 9th floor. From there, the delegates will visit Qiushui Square for a taste of Nanchang City night scene. After breakfast on Tuesday, the Bohol government delegates will visit the Nanchang high-technology industrial development zone and the Jiangxi Normal University (JXNU) new campus while the choir meets counterparts at the Nanchang Yuxin School .

The afternoon is set for the acquaintance meeting of the officials of both provincial governments at the Jiangxi Hotel while the choir conducts rehearsals and will have dinner at the JXNU new campus with the Nanchang Children's Choir. Showtime for the one-hour-40-minute-performance at the campus is 7:30 p.m. After breakfast on Wednesday, the group leaves for Jiujiang City to visit the Oishi Factory in De'an County. Lunch will be at the S&N International Hotel. In the afternoon, the adults will tour Jiujiang while the choir will have rehearsals. Jiujang government officials will host dinner for the delegates and enjoy the performance of the choir afterwards. Thursday is tour time for a whole-day sightseeing in Mt. Lushan . Another banquet awaits the guests at the Binjiang Hotel where Jiangxi provincial leaders will again meet their Bohol counterparts.

On Friday, the delegates fly back to Xiamen and on to Manila where they will stay overnight. After an early lunch at the Century Seafood Restaurant on Saturday, they will take the afternoon direct flight to Tagbilaran City . The Bohol delegation includes Aumentado, his wife Peregrina, Senior Board Member Dionisio Balite who will read the English version of the agreement, Provincial Board members Concepcion Lim, Godofreda Tirol, Eufrasio Mascariñas, Brigido Imboy, Felix Uy, Cariso Camacho, Jose Veloso, Amalia Tirol, Ma. Fe Lejos-Camacho, and Ester Corazon Galbreath, Tagbilaran City Councilor Jose Antonio Veloso,

Norris Oculam and Dr. Simplicio Yap Jr., presidents of the Bohol Chamber of Comerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCCI) in Bohol; Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, Provincial General Services Officer Edwin Vallejos and Anne Mariquit Oppus, chief of staff of the Vice Governor's Office. The choir members are Aljon Balbido, Donna Serino, Mary Rose Salig, Jessa Calipusan, Noel Kerr Cañeda, Luz Angelie Cal, Feby Marie Bagaslao, Grace Marie Signe, Stephanie Ann Encabo, Flint Timothy Cabahug, Raynel Scud Amora, Franc Joseph Sumampong, Jennica Alexius Calipusan, Vera Dianne Mandin, Wilson Mandin, Jorge Earvin Calipusan and Mirzi Therese Taldo. Alma Taldo is the musical directress while Lina Jala is the accompanist. Hidolito Taldo is the group's chaperon. Sponsor Chan who chairs the Liwayway (Int'l) Co., Ltd. and president of the Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation will be bringing along his assistant Wang Yung as well as Larry Chan, president of Liwayway ( China ) Co., Ltd. and his assistant Li Peiming. Also traveling with the group is Consul Jesusa Susana Paez of the Philippine Consulate in Xiamen.

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