Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz meeting with Vicky O’Halloran, Administrator of the Northern Territory in Australia.*
The Negros Occidental provincial government is set to renew its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Northern Territory in Australia for more areas of collaboration, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Thursday, November 10.
Also being explored is a sisterhood agreement between Bacolod City and Darwin City in the Northern Territory, he added.
Diaz is part of the Negros Occidental delegation led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson who have been in the Northern Territory this week.
Diaz said the existing MOU between Negros Occidental and the Northern Territory is from
2018 to 2022, so it is up for renewal.
They are finalizing the details on what new areas of engagement should be included over and above those in the expiring MOU, he said.
Among the news areas will be collaboration on energy, especially solar power, education and training, and bulk water, he said.
The MOU will be presented to the Northern Territory ministers and the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval before it is signed, Diaz said.
Lacson met with the Negrense student scholars and workers in the Northern Territory and they informed him that they had no regrets because their opportunities in Australia have been good, Diaz said.
Fifteen more Negros Occidental scholars will be sent to the Northern territory next year, he said.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also plans to send the same number of scholars from Bacolod City, Diaz added.
Even while they study the scholars are also given the opportunity to work 20 hours a week to support themselves, he said. *