PRESS RELEASE – 87 - 2018

L-R: Kauai Council Chair Mel Rapozo, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., Candon Mayor Ericson Singson and Candon Council Chair Aileen Rhoda Acal

 (11 October 2018, Honolulu, Hawaii)  – The City of Candon in Ilocos Sur and the County of Kauai established on 9 October 2018 a friendship city relationship which aims to bring their peoples closer through sharing of ideas and increased cooperation in areas such as agriculture, tourism, trade, and culture.     

The friendship city certificates were signed by Candon Mayor Ericson G. Singson, MD and Candon City Council Chair Aileen Rhoda I. Acal and their counterparts, Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. and Kauai County Council Chair Mel Rapozo.

During the signing ceremony at the Lihue Civic Center, Mayor Carvalho expressed his love for the Philippines, which he had visited several times.  He noted that the Candon-Kauia friendship city relationship is another bond linking the Philippines and Kauai as the county has sister city relations with Santa, Ilocos Sur (1991), Bangued, Abra (2000), Urdaneta,  Pangasinan (2000), Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (2011) and Davao City (2018).

Mayor Singson, who was also accompanied by his wife Atty. Claire Singson and a delegation from the Candon City government, noted the great drive of the people of Candon, who wish to overturn images of the Philippines as a third-world country. Mayor Singson expressed his hope that both sides can learn from each other, and that the friendship city relationship will eventually lead to a sister city agreement.

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu was represented at the signing ceremony by Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona. -END

Candon City delegates and FilCom members poses with Mayor Ericson Singson and Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. after the signing ceremony. Also in photo is Deputy Consul General Angelica Escalona

L-R: Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., Mayor Ericson Singson, Atty. Claire Singson, Kauai Councilmember Derek Kawakami, Deputy Consul General Angelica Escalona and Council Chair Aileen Rhoda Acal