True Sisters

 'Inday Sara reminisces time with Zambo mayor'

VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has reminisced about her time with Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1, during their trip to the United States two years ago.

In her Facebook post, Duterte - popularly known as Inday Sara - said Climaco, now on her third and last term, even took care of her and ensured there is a steady supply of food in her room.

“Throwback muna tayo sa trabaho bago naging pandemic ang Covid-19. January 23, 2020, two years ago today, dumalo ako sa 88th Winter Meeting ng US Mayors, kasama ko Si Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco na aking naging kaibigan dahil sa work trip na ito,” Inday Sara said.

Inday Sara said it was Climaco who gave her ginger ale, the first time she tasted the carbonated drink made from ginger root. “Alaga nya (Climaco) ako (at) laging may pagkain ang kwarto ko panlaban sa gutom at siya ang nag-introduce sa akin sa ginger ale na napakasarap pala,” she wrote.

Inday Sara and Climaco were invited by the US government for a series of lectures and meetings for the project “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventing Terrorism in Southeast Asia” under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the US Department of State. 

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, who welcomed Inday Sara and Climaco, branded the two leaders as “remarkable women.”

During their stay in the US, Inday Sara said they went to Los Angeles and had talks with Mayor Eric Garcetti and learned about LA’s problems on gangsterism and the importance of how the government helps in guiding the children and youth to self-discipline and love of the country.

“Sa pagbisita namin sa Los Angeles andami namin natutunan ukol sa gangsterism, ang LA ay isa sa may pinakamadaming gangs na siyudad. Kaya mahalaga ang mga children at youth ay nagagabayan ng gobyerno sa disiplina at pagmamahal sa bayan. Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas,” she said.

Just like Inday Sara, Climaco has always been a champion and a strong advocate of children’s rights and welfare. Climaco, reacting from Inday Sara’s post, said: “It was a wonderful experience to learn side by side with Mayor Inday. We look forward to a stronger, safer Zamboanga City where children and young people are given the opportunity to chase their dreams and aspirations.”

Last year, Inday Sara also facilitated the donation of two RT-PCR test machines, including 25,000 sets of disposable specimen sampling kits to the local government of Zamboanga City.

Climaco thanked Inday Sara for the donations, saying it will greatly support Zamboanga’s efforts in fighting the spread of Covid-19. “It will help us make a meaningful difference as we continue to battle Covid-19,” she said.

The local governments of Davao and Zamboanga City also signed a sisterhood accord in July last year. The sisterhood agreement intends to create and fortify an open communicative atmosphere to induce a heightened exchange of ideas, particularly in the fields of tourism and culture, agriculture and trade and commerce. (Zamboanga Post)