Mandaluyong City and Tabontabon, Leyte formalized a sisterhood agreement during a Monday morning flag ceremony at Mandaluyong City Hall.

Tabontabon Mayor Efren Redona, Vice Mayor Ponciano Justimbarte Jr., council members and department heads witnessed the signing, which aims to foster trade and exchange of governance experiences.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. focused his speech on the city’s past struggles and its current progress as he recalled Mandaluyong’s earlier days as a small municipality with limited revenue, lacking the large commercial centers it has today.

He also cited that Mandaluyong was once known for its women’s prison and mental hospital.

Abalos highlighted three key programs that he prioritized during his term: housing, free education and public health, adding that his administration expropriated land to provide housing for informal settlers.

The mayor stressed free education from elementary through college, including free school supplies.