DANAO CITY, CEBU (February 7, 2025) – Another international partnership marks a milestone for Danao City as Mayor Mix Durano and Namegata City Mayor Shuya Suzuki officially sign the Memorandum of Agreement for Friendship City Partnership. This agreement solidifies the shared vision of both cities in advancing education, cultural exchange, tourism and economic collaboration.

Prior to the signing, Mayor Suzuki and his delegation visit key institutions in Danao, including Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Danao City Campus and RMDSF-STEC, where they are warmly welcomed by city officials, students and educators. The delegation also experiences the city’s commitment to sustainability during a lunch at Tawsan Mangrove Forest Ecopark, showcasing Danao City’s eco-tourism efforts.

“In Danao City… we don’t just create jobs or scholarship programs; we establish and streamline opportunities through diversification both locally and internationally. Because I personally believe that every Danawanon makes and identifies Danao as the model city of the Province of Cebu—sustainable, resilient and globally competent. This event affirms our city’s initiatives in forging more opportunities for our people,” says Mayor Mix Durano.

Beyond strengthening diplomatic ties, the agreement also paves the way for concrete exchanges between the two cities. Activities under this partnership include:

 Educational and cultural exchanges through visits, conferences, and student-teacher exchange programs.

 Workforce development by opening study and work opportunities for Danawanons in Namegata.

 Trade and business linkages through joint trade shows and business conferences.

 Benchmarking activities between key officials to learn from best practices in governance and development.

Danao City Committee Chair on Education, Hon. Don Roel Aria, emphasizes that this partnership is about real, tangible growth: “Rest assured, our growth as a city is not for PR and optics. With our renewed direction, our goal as leaders is to see every Danawanon grow in all angles of life. We are expanding not just within the Philippines but internationally in our quest for progress.”

Adding to this milestone, Danao City also signs a Facilitating Agency Agreement with Achieve Goal Co., Ltd., represented by CEO Shuichiro Atsumi. This agency will play a key role in deploying qualified teachers from Danao City to Namegata, strengthening the shared commitment to educational excellence.

With this agreement, Danao City continues to expand its global network, following its existing partnerships with Kashima City, Yokohama City (Japan), Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon State (South Korea) and Belgium. Under the leadership of Mayor Mix Durano and Vice Mayor Nito Durano, Danao City remains committed to bringing more livelihood programs, skills development and career opportunities to its people. As Mayor Durano puts it, Better Days are just ahead for Danao City.