Governor Garcia graces 50th China-Philippines Friendship Day

CEBU, Philippines — Outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia recently graced the 50th China-Philippines Friendship Day celebration as the guest of honor during a commemorative dinner and cultural night.

The event, organized by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu and led by Consul General Zhang Zhen, marked five decades of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China—a relationship officially established in 1975 but rooted in centuries of shared history, culture, and trade.

In her keynote address, Garcia emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties between Filipinos and the Chinese people, particularly in Cebu, where Chinese influence has long been felt in agriculture, commerce, and identity.

Garcia also underscored the importance of Cebu’s sisterhood agreements with the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Guangdong.

“China’s consistent support through initiatives in healthcare, education, and culture has greatly benefited the people of Cebu. This celebration is not only about looking back at five decades of diplomacy, but about moving forward with hope, collaboration, and mutual respect,” the governor added.

Consul General Zhang Zhen, in her address, affirmed China’s intention to deepen friendly cooperation with the Philippines.

“The Filipino-Chinese friendship in Cebu is a living truth.  Let our shared values safeguard peace and inspire collective prosperity,” she said.

Capitol projects

Meanwhile, Garcia led the inauguration of a P40.1 million worth road project in Moalboal on Wednesday, June 11.

Following the same project in the Municipality of Carmen, Garcia, together with Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the road project on Phase III of the Poblacion-Bugho Road section.

"Basta Sugbuanon mo dapat first class ang serbisyo gikan sa Cebu Provincial Government,” said Garcia.

Cabaron thanked the Province for the road project that connected barangays Poblacion and Bugho.

"Di gyud mi kalimot nga ang katawhan sa Moalboal dako kay'g utang kabubut-on sa gobernador," said Cabaron.

Funded by the Cebu Provincial Government, the Poblacion-Bugho Road Project provides motorists an alternative route to avoid traffic on the main road, with 2.13 kilometers length, 6.10 meters width, and 9 inches cement thickness.

In Carmen town, Garcia also led a three-stop inauguration ceremonies for multimillion-peso road projects in last Tuesday, June 10.

According to Sugbo News, Capitol’s official social media arm, the projects span key roadways in Barangays Ipil, Dawis Norte, Triumpo, and Poblacion.

Garcia, along with Carmen Mayor Carlo Villamor, led the inauguration ceremony in Dawis-Triumpo Road Section.

The project in the same road section reportedly cost at least P25 million, and covered a 1.54-kilometer stretch, with a width of 6.1 meters, and cement thickness of 23 centimeters.

Also present in the ceremony were Vice Governor-elect Glenn Anthony Soco and Fifth District Board Member Mike Villamor, as well as Carmen municipal council members.

Garcia and Mayor Villamor also led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Triumpo Road Section, which officially opened the 1.62-kilometer roadway project. The P26.1 million road reportedly features a five-meter width and 23 centimeters in thickness.

Moreover, Garcia also led the opening of a P21.4 million Ipil-Poblacion Road Section, which covers a 1.1 kilometer stretch.  — CNU Interns Shyrielle Lariosa and Reynan Monleon, JG (FREEMAN)