LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The sisterhood agreement between the City Government of Laoag and the County of Honolulu, Hawaii, promises support in managing renewable energy and education projects for Laoageños, according to Mayor Michael Marcos Keon.
In an interview, Laoag City’s local chief executive announced that Barangay Talingaan in Laoag City will soon be the ground for a solar power farm.
“This will be a 100-hectare solar power farm project by the Aboitiz Power company,” he added.
Since this will be the first solar power plant in the city, Keon said they will tap the help of the local governments of Honolulu and Kauai for their expertise in solar power management.
“When we were benchmarking in Hawaii, we visited a solar power farm in Kauai, they said it is the biggest one in the state. Once we finalize the plans for the solar farm, we plan to have fruitful discussions with the representatives of the solar power cooperatives in Kauai because the manner in which they’re handling solar energy there, we can learn from them,” Keon explained.
The local chief executive also said that the sister cities will also be working together to create education grants for students of Laoag City.
“It’s so interesting because we were informed that the University of Hawaii will be offering classes on the study of Ilokano culture,” he said.
With this, he assured that they will work with the city councils of Honolulu and Kauai to create an education program where students from Laoag City can avail scholarship programs to study at the University of Hawaii.
Earlier this month, the local officials, including members of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Laoag City, conducted a benchmarking activity in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The sisterhood agreement was renewed on February 26, 2024.
During this time, the council members of Honolulu also conducted a benchmarking activity in Laoag City.
The sisterhood agreement was first established in 1969. (AMB/EJFG/PIA Ilocos Norte)
