PH Embassy in Damascus and Government of Ilocos Sur Discuss Sister Cities Agreement and Assistance-to-Nationals Concerns during Month of Overseas Filipinos

Philippine Chargé d' Affaires, a.i to Syria Vida Soraya Verzosa presents a gift to Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias "Jerry" C. Singson during their courtesy call on 05 December 2022. (Damascus PE photo)

DAMASCUS 15 December 2022 - On the occasion of the Month of Overseas Filipinos, as mandated by Proclamation No. 276 series of 1988, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus called on Governor Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson and Vice Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur on 05 December 2022 at the New Provincial Capitol Building in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

During the call, Chargé d' Affaires, a.i Vida Soraya Verzosa shared that there are existing bilateral Cultural, Tourism, SMSE Promotion, and One Town One Product (OTOP) Agreements between the Philippines and the Syrian Arab Republic. In line with this, she explained that having a Sister Cities Agreement between the City of Damascus and Vigan City would be a significant way to catalyze mutually beneficial projects for economic growth and cultural diplomacy.

Governor Jerry Singson agreed and shared that both Vigan City and the City of Damascus are homes of various UNESCO Heritage Sites. Both are also in the process of reconstruction, especially after the Vigan magnitude 7.0 earthquake and Syrian conflict that destroyed several ancient cultural properties. He said that Ilocanos have developed expertise in managing heritage conservation initiatives and international cooperation would be a positive move for both parties in strengthening bilateral relations.  

Afterwards, during the call of CDA Verzosa with Vice Governor Ryan Singson, he also affirmed that there is a need to inform Overseas Filipinos from the Ilocos region about the work of the Embassy. He said that his office is also in charge of handling Overseas Filipino Worker concerns and he was happy that Ilocanos can also be assisted while they are in Syria. There are many potential projects that can boost tourism promotion of Vigan City for the Middle East market and he agreed that this can help improve the progressive development of the Province of Ilocos Sur through international partnerships. 

At the end of the calls, CDA Verzosa presented her gifts from Syria to Governor Jerry Singson and Vice Governor Ryan Singson.

CDA Verzosa was also interviewed by Bombo Radyo Vigan and the courtesy call was posted in the Facebook page of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur and the Ryan Luis V. Singson (Official FAN PAGE).  END

Chargé d' Affaires, a.i  Verzosa with Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Ryan Singson

Chargé d' Affaires, a.i Verzosa with Vice Governor Singson and Executive Assistant Ms. Cara Michelle Tabios

For more information, visit https://www.damascuspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSyria/, https://twitter.com/PHinSyria or https://www.instagram.com/phinsyria/.