Senator Eddie Calvo is leading an effort to establish a sister-city relationship with Olongapo City, Philippines. Olongapo City includes Subic Bay, once the U.S. military’s major Asian military installation.
“Subic is a community that once had a strong U.S. military presence,” Calvo said. “We can learn from their experience and share in the prosperity ahead. I want to build a strong partnership that will benefit both our communities.”
The coordination of Guam tourism, economic development and labor agencies into this partnership follows the senator’s meeting with Olongapo City mayor James “Bong” Gordon yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
Gordon is visiting Guam with a contingent of Philippine government officials and businessmen. The group is participating in the Guam Industry Forum.
“We’re here not only about opportunities for workers, but also for investments,” Gordon said. “The people of Olongapo are interested in setting up businesses here. We can forge a sister-city relationship.”
Calvo yesterday wrote to the agency heads of the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority and Department of Labor informing them of the mayor’s invitation to establish a sister-city relationship.
The senator and the mayor discussed Guam and Olongapo’s shared history as host communities of major U.S. military installations. They also discussed similarities in the economic future of both communities.
The mayor said he believes Guam and Olongapo are insulated from the world economic crisis. Olongapo City, according to Mayor Gordon, is experiencing major economic development with a resurgent private sector looking to Guam because of its familiarization with the economic benefits of a U.S. military host community.
“Many of our residents can trace their roots to Subic and Olongapo City,” Calvo said. “It was an honor and privilege to discuss issues important to all our people with a leader from the Philippines, who cares about the new direction our island is taking.”
Several residents of Guam can trace their roots to this region of the Philippines. Gordon earlier this week met with the Zambales Association of Guam. Olongapo City belongs to the province of Zambales.
Gordon comes from an influential political family, which has led the Subic area for decades. His father was mayor of Olongapo City. His brother, Philippine Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon, became mayor as well. Then-Mayor Richard Gordon led the city and his country through the difficult transition following the closure of the U.S. military installation at Subic. Richard Gordon and James Gordon concurrently led the revitalization of Subic and Olongapo.
Senator Richard Gordon is considered a front-runner in next year’s election for Philippine President. Senator Gordon yesterday announced his application to the Philippine Commission on Elections to start a new political party, which his supporters have said will be the vehicle for his candidacy. Senator Calvo also has met Senator Gordon previously while in the Philippines.
Gordon is no stranger to Guam. This is his fourth visit to the island. He first came to Guam in the early 1980s and met with the late Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo.
“Subic is a community that once had a strong U.S. military presence,” Calvo said. “We can learn from their experience and share in the prosperity ahead. I want to build a strong partnership that will benefit both our communities.”
The coordination of Guam tourism, economic development and labor agencies into this partnership follows the senator’s meeting with Olongapo City mayor James “Bong” Gordon yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
Gordon is visiting Guam with a contingent of Philippine government officials and businessmen. The group is participating in the Guam Industry Forum.
“We’re here not only about opportunities for workers, but also for investments,” Gordon said. “The people of Olongapo are interested in setting up businesses here. We can forge a sister-city relationship.”
Calvo yesterday wrote to the agency heads of the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority and Department of Labor informing them of the mayor’s invitation to establish a sister-city relationship.
The senator and the mayor discussed Guam and Olongapo’s shared history as host communities of major U.S. military installations. They also discussed similarities in the economic future of both communities.
The mayor said he believes Guam and Olongapo are insulated from the world economic crisis. Olongapo City, according to Mayor Gordon, is experiencing major economic development with a resurgent private sector looking to Guam because of its familiarization with the economic benefits of a U.S. military host community.
“Many of our residents can trace their roots to Subic and Olongapo City,” Calvo said. “It was an honor and privilege to discuss issues important to all our people with a leader from the Philippines, who cares about the new direction our island is taking.”
Several residents of Guam can trace their roots to this region of the Philippines. Gordon earlier this week met with the Zambales Association of Guam. Olongapo City belongs to the province of Zambales.
Gordon comes from an influential political family, which has led the Subic area for decades. His father was mayor of Olongapo City. His brother, Philippine Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon, became mayor as well. Then-Mayor Richard Gordon led the city and his country through the difficult transition following the closure of the U.S. military installation at Subic. Richard Gordon and James Gordon concurrently led the revitalization of Subic and Olongapo.
Senator Richard Gordon is considered a front-runner in next year’s election for Philippine President. Senator Gordon yesterday announced his application to the Philippine Commission on Elections to start a new political party, which his supporters have said will be the vehicle for his candidacy. Senator Calvo also has met Senator Gordon previously while in the Philippines.
Gordon is no stranger to Guam. This is his fourth visit to the island. He first came to Guam in the early 1980s and met with the late Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo.
Senator Eddie Calvo is leading an effort to establish a sister-city relationship with Olongapo City, Philippines. Senator Eddie Calvo, left, meets with visiting Olongapo City mayor James Gordon at the Hyatt Regency Guam on Tuesday.Variety News Staff
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