The Province of Iloilo has earned a sister province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding with Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. for the establishment of a sisterhood agreement with the Province of South Cotabato.
The agreement was forged on June 17, 2026 at Casa Real de Iloilo Grand Social Hall.
This alliance aimed to foster inter-provincial cooperation and mutual economic development. South Cotabato eyes to leverage the partnership to strengthen its agro-industrial value chains, logistical networks, and tourism sector.
Meanwhile, Iloilo seeks to expand its collaborative initiatives while maintaining its robust agricultural production base.
The agreement also celebrated a deep cultural bond between the two provinces, as some natives of South Cotabato are Hiligaynon speakers, with ancestral roots tying them back to Iloilo. Governor Tamayo also traced his roots from the First District of Iloilo.
Tamayo is the national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
Last January 24 of this year, Iloilo also forged a sisterhood agreement with the City of San Juan in Metro Manila.
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