Osmeña, City Hall officials to visit sister-city in Netherlands

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and some City Hall officials are leaving today for the Netherlands to celebrate the 25th sister-city anniversary of Cebu City and Dutch City Haarlemmermeer.

The mayor will be accompanied by his wife, Councilor Margarita; Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella; City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief Nagiel Bañacia and Department of Social Welfare and Services head Lea Japson and Alvin Dizon, executive consultant on sister-city relations.

The delegates will also be visiting Kortrijk City in Belgium and are expected to return to the country on June 16.

Osmeña said that while they will be paying the expenses for themselves, he may have to charge some minimal expenses against the City Government for refund.

“They’ve been so good to us and given us importance. They’re not a big city, but they’ve been so helpful to us with all their projects here,” he told reporters yesterday.

Osmeña cited the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, which was introduced by Haarlemmermeer several years ago as part of the technology and aid transfer between the two cities.

In an earlier interview, Bañacia said one of the topics that will be discussed during the meeting is the assistance Haarlemmermeer will be giving to the City for the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

“They want to help us rebuild CCMC. They will give us funds to purchase the equipment, among others, for the hospital,” he said.

He said the Dutch officials have organized a fund raising event that will be participated in by its citizens. The activity will be held on June 11 and will be attended by the Cebu City delegates.

Bañacia said that regardless of the amount, the fund that will be raised will be donated to the City Government.