CEBU CITY, Philippines -- Yokohama City, one of the most successful cities in Japan, particularly in terms of urbanization, is eyeing a partnership with Cebu City and Cebu Province.

Yokohama City wants to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with Cebu Province through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The partnership aims to address urban and environmental issues.

Kimihiro Kuromizu, director of International Technical Cooperation of Yokohama City, visited the Capitol recently and informed Garcia of the planned cooperation.

Tanaka Yasushi, deputy director general of Southeast Asia and Pacific Department of JICA, who was with Kuromizu, said they will also seek the involvement of the Cebu Provincial Government as the issues that they will be addressing extend to Metro Cebu.

Yasushi said they are hoping that the province will partner with Yokohama either directly or through the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board, which is chaired by Garcia.

Garcia, for her part, believes that the plan will be beneficial to Cebu. She said she will go to Yokohama as soon as she receives a written invitation.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to achieve a most beneficial relation between JICA in their wish to help us and the MCDCB,” the governor said.

JICA will be the one to provide both the technical assistance and funds to realize the programs.