A Philippine delegation led by Governor Jose Enrique M. Miraflores of Aklan Province visited the Tainan City Hall on August 8th. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che and Senior Executive Officer Huang Yao-guo welcomed the group, which comprises political dignitaries of Aklan Province. Commissioner Yu Jian-rong of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission in the Philippines was also present. Both parties agreed that the two sides should have more in-depth exchanges in culture, tourism, and education.
After he welcomed the guests, Mayor Huang Wei-che expressed that Tainan and Aklan Province have considerable potential for cooperation in the fields of commerce and trade, education, and culture. In addition to encouraging Tainan citizens and enterprises to explore the commercial investment possibilities in the Philippines, Huang hopes to further strengthen the relationship through cultural exchanges, such as inviting local art and performance groups to Tainan, so that the citizens can appreciate more diverse cultural landscapes. The Mayor also invited Governor Miraflores to take part in the Tainan International Travel Fair held at the end of every year to introduce Aklan Province’s unique charm to more Tainan citizens.
Governor Miraflores responded that this was his second visit to Tainan, and he feels profoundly the high level of self-discipline of the citizens, as well as the efforts of the city team, from the clean and orderly appearance of the city. He pointed out that Aklan has blooming agriculture and tourism sectors as well as two international airports. Moreover, since July, the Philippine government has implemented a 14-day visa-exempt entry for Taiwanese tourists, paving the way for stronger partnerships in commercial trade and tourism.
Located in the central Philippines, Aklan Province is a major agricultural and tourism hub of the country. The province has abundant island tourism resources and is home to the famous vacation destination Boracay Island, which is internationally known for its white sand beaches and blue sea and skies.