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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 228 Draft 01 2016-2018 -• 6?Ot•. of k,''''' • �yLi COUNTY OF HAWAII • 't•• STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. 228 17 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ESTABLISMENT OF A SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CABUGAO, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, PHILIPPINES AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO ENTER INTO A FORMAL SIGNED AGREEMENT. WHEREAS, the Mayor of the County of Hawai`i and the Hawai`i County Council have jointly promoted a Sister-City program to foster friendship and understanding among all of the world,particularly those in the Pacific Basin; and WHEREAS, viable and meaningful Sister-City relationships benefit the people of the affiliated cities through the exchange of cultural exhibits, educational programs, agricultural pursuits, information relative to economic development of mutual interest, and other matters of common interest; and WHEREAS, contact has been made between government officials of the Municipality of Cabugao, Province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines and the County of Hawai`i to discuss the establishment of a Sister-City relationship between the Municipality of Cabugao, and the County of Hawai`i; and WHEREAS, the Municipality of Cabugao, and Hawai`i Island share commonalities, as Cabugao and Hawai`i Island mutually promote trade, tourism, culture, agriculture, and education; and WHEREAS,.an outline highlighting the history and demographics of the Municipality of Cabugao, Province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines is attached hereto as Exhibit A and by this reference made a part hereof; and WHEREAS, the Municipality of Cabugao, and Hawai`i Island are said to be the most beautiful islands in their respective island chains relying on the economies of tourism and agriculture to support their populations; and WHEREAS, the first wave of Ilocano migrants, also known as Sakadas, came to Hawai`i from the Municipality of Cabugao through the Port of Salomague; and WHEREAS, these Sakadas came to Hawai`i as laborers to work in sugar and pineapple plantations beginning in the late 19th century and continuing through 1946, and have historically been referred to as Hawayanos; and WHEREAS, residents of Hawai`i County and the people of the Municipality of Cabugao have long-standing established ties based upon shared customs, traditions, and cultures; and WHEREAS, the communities of both the County of Hawai`i and the Municipality of Cabugao mutually support the beneficial exchanges of information and opportunities to promote business principles and methodologies in the areas of tourism, agriculture, education, and aquaculture; and WHEREAS, this resolution will be augmented with written covenants between the mayors of both the County of Hawai`i and the Municipality of Cabugao, Province of Ilocos Sur to be supported additionally with a signed service agreement citing agreed responsibilities for the County of Hawai`i, and the sister-city sponsor, Big Island Filipino Community Council (BIFCC); now,therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 31, Section 2-165 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), that it hereby authorizes the Mayor to formalize a Sister-City program between the County of Hawai`i and the good people of the Municipality of Cabugao, Province of Ilocos Sur. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Honorable Mayor Harry Kim, the Honorable Mayor Josh Edward S. Cobangbang of the Municipality of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, Collins Tomei, Director of the Department of Finance, and Rose Bautista, County of Hawai`i Sister-City Protocol Officer. Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of , 20 . INTRO i UCED BY: 6?“ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG DAVID I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KANUHA County of Hawai`i on . LEE LOY O'HARA ATTEST: POINDEXTER RICHARDS RUGGLES Reference: C-326/GREDC COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 228 1.7 2 Outline of the Municipality of Cabugao, Province of !locos Sur, Philippines 1. History Today, Cabugao is a first class municipality in the Province of!locos Sur, Philippines. The first settlers were peaceful nomadic tribesman who noticed the fertile flatlands of what was originally a thick forest with a river abundant with fish. Salomague Port in Cabugao was capable of handling big ships. This port was integral to the migration of Sakadas to Hawai'i to work as laborers in sugar and pineapple plantations beginning in the 19th century. These Sakadas came to Hawai`i for the purpose of escaping poverty while saving money to return home to live comfortably. Hawaii was perceived as the islands of paradise, a place of happiness and prosperity. Although the Sakadas faced strenuous work and loneliness for their family, many Sakadas who initially traveled to Hawaii intending to reside here only temporarily, instead built lives, raised families and put down roots here on Hawai'i Island. Approximately 125,000 Filipinos came to Hawaii from 1906-1946. The great majority of Sakadas departed from Manila and some from Cebu. The last 6,000 Sakadas who came to Hawaii in 1946 departed from Cabugao after Manila was devastated by World War II. The last Sakadas were recruited by the Hawai'i Sugar Planters'Association to bring new labor to break an anticipated Strike that was expected to occur. The Strike began in 1946 and lasted for 90 days. The last Sakadas instead joined other Sakadas and others to Strike. The Strike changed Hawaii altogether. Of the approximately 30,000 laborers, almost 60% were Filipinos. Hawai'i history tells us that the 1946 Strike made International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) the most powerful union in Hawai'i and changed the politics in Hawaii forever. Democrats replaced Republicans in 1954. Hawaii Filipinos greatly participated in the change. 2. Location and Population Cabugao is the second northernmost town of the Province of!locos Sur. It is 16 miles from Vigan City,the capital of the province; 34 miles from Laoag City (Ilocos Norte); 102 miles from the San Fernando, La Union, the regional center; and 269 miles north of Manila. Its total land area is 23,610 acres. EXHIBIT A 1 According to the 2015 census, Cabugao's population is approximately 37,501 people. The municipality of Cabugao is divided into 33 barangays (communities/villages), 4 in the poblacion (town/proper) and 29 in the rural areas, further subdivided into 94 sitios (camps/districts). 3. Main Industries People are primarily engaged in farming and fishing. Cabugao is one of the most urbanized towns in the province. Pangasineses, Batanguenos, Kapampangans and Maranaos are immigrants who are now residents of Cabugao who have come for trade and commerce. People's organizations and non-government organizations are active in the municipality responding to the needs of the community. 4. Public Education Institutions • Cabugao has 26 public elementary schools and private primary schools, 3 public high schools, and 1 private high school. 5. Points of Interest • Salomague Salomague Port in Cabugao was the place of departure for over 100 sakadas destined to work in the sugarcane fields of Hawaii in the 1930's-40s. The historic port of Salomague located in this barangay explains why it holds the distinction of being one of the few (locos barangays printed on The International Mariners' Map. The Port of Salomague was an ancient port of call of seafarers, merchants and traders from different Asian countries. During the American occupation, the port served as a mooring place for boats that ferried across the Pacific where thousands of Ilocanos worked at sugar plantations in Hawaii and California. Now leased to a private corporation, it is the transshipment port of goods and products to Taiwan. It is also the unloading point of commercial fishing vessels. A municipal ordinance has declared the waters around it a fish sanctuary area, thus making it more attractive to sports fishers and scuba divers who regularly visit it. • Pug-os A white sand beach stretching 2 kilometers, located along the national highway and north of the poblacion (town). Two hotel beach resorts, Ponce del mar and restaurant, and the privately leased municipality-owned Cabugao Beach Resort serve as venues for conventions, conferences, seminars, and public social occasions. 2 • Dardarat A desolate coastline which houses, at the southern end, the Dardarat Lighthouse, a Philippine Coast Guard facility which guides marine vessels. • Old Cabugao Public Market The first project of the then Mayor Pacifico P Apostol. This has been converted to Cabugao Park. • Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish Church Built in 1772, this landmark has undergone renovations to restore its beauty following a fire which occurred in 1965. • Municipal Government Center Several public buildings and structures converge in the Municipal Government Center, among them are the municipal hall, the 66 year old Lady Magarang, World War II Veterans' Memorial, Children's Park and the Cabugao Cultural and Sports Complex. • Northern (locos Sur Trade Center (NISTC) • Historic Hills and Mountains o Balaywak hills o Mount Bimmuaya o Balay-aran hill • Springs and Waterfalls o Magarang o Roma o Kinalian o Baterina o Bacques o Kimmandela • Cabugao River • Libunao Protected Landscape A Protected watershed area in Sitio Caset Barangay Maradodon. 3