VM, 4 councilors off to Shanghai for 5-day visit

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte along with four other councilors will go to Shanghai, China for a five-day visit with the hope to bolster partnerships and economic opportunities beneficial for both areas.

Davao City Councilor Elias Lopez, during the Pulong Pulong ni Pulong (PPP) weekly forum held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Councilor's Lounge yesterday, said that the Chinese Embassy invited the vice mayor.

"The vice mayor found it very important to establish these relations because it is in consonance with the national government's approach that our very own president is trying to do. So it is a very welcome invitation and by going to Shanghai we can open doors of Shanghai to our city and we could help in bilateral relations both in terms of economic development and infrastructure," he said.

Lopez said they hope that they will be able to help the banana industry in Davao City through the visit.

"Maraming kailangan ang China sa atin especially banana, which is expensive in their area. Sa China they are looking at us for banana export trade na," he siad.

In a separate media interview, he said that aside from the banana industry they are also looking into other areas of partnership with Shanghai.

"We will be focusing on the export," he said.

Lopez added that the City Council is open to a working relationship with Shanghai as they are set to explore the benefits of the exchange of both cities when it comes to trade and agriculture.

Aside from Lopez, other councilors who will join the vice mayor are Councilors Bernard Al-ag, Nilo Abellera, Diosado Mahipus and Al Ryan Alejandre. KVC