He said his office received an invitation from the mayors of General Santos City and Davao City in Mindanao for a possible sister city agreement.
Tudela said his tentative scheduled trip to the Philippines is July but he has yet to finalize the itinerary and the expenses involved.
“We don’t know yet who’s going to pay for the trip,” he said.
Most of his previous travels for the signing of sister city agreements were paid by the host cities, he added.
Tudela said sister-city relationships can help boost local tourism industry.
In a letter dated April 28, General Santos City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr. told Tudela that a “host of opportunities accompany such a [sister city] agreement with emphasis on business endeavors benefiting both local economies.”
Acharon said he was anticipating to finalize the agreement with Saipan this year.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, for his part, informed Tudela about the cultural and business opportunities in his city.
“You are most welcome to come and visit Davao anytime,” Duterte said.
