Cebu City expects to gain new insights in digital governance, tourism development, and public safety after formalizing a sister-city partnership with San Juan City.
Mayor Nestor Archival said the agreement will provide both local governments an avenue to exchange governance practices and explore programs that can improve public services.
The partnership was signed on Wednesday, July 15, during a ceremony at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, with Archival joining San Juan City Mayor Francisco Javier “Francis” Zamora, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr.
Archival said the agreement developed from previous discussions among local chief executives under the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), where Zamora serves as national president.
He said city leaders had been exchanging ideas on addressing common concerns, including digital transformation, tourism promotion, and public safety.
“We’ve realized that this is a good thing nga maghimo tag sister city,” Archival said, referring to the decision to formalize the partnership.
Archival said Cebu City and San Juan City had previously discussed ways to improve government digitization, attract more visitors, and strengthen peace and order initiatives.
“During those times magkita mi, naghisgot mi sa digitization, unsaon pagpadaghan sa turista, ug unsaon pagpalig-on sa atong peace and order ug safety. Gikan ana nga mga conversations, we realized this would be a good sister-city partnership,” he said.
The mayor said the Cebu City Sister City Commission helped facilitate the agreement, which was finalized during Wednesday’s ceremony.
Under the partnership, Cebu City and San Juan City will collaborate in areas such as tourism, trade and investment, science and technology, education, culture and arts, sports development, environmental protection, public health, urban planning, social services, and institutional governance.
The agreement also aims to encourage the exchange of knowledge, technology, and governance practices to enhance public service delivery.
Archival said San Juan City’s experience in digital governance and local administration could serve as a reference as Cebu City continues its modernization efforts.
He also highlighted Zamora’s role as LCP president, saying his involvement in discussions with national agencies has helped advance concerns affecting local governments.
Archival said these discussions contributed to initiatives such as the Local Government Support Fund, from which Cebu City received assistance for programs including its subsidized rice initiative and infrastructure projects.
He added that maintaining strong ties with other local chief executives could help Cebu City secure additional support from the national government.
Asked about reports that Zamora may seek a Senate seat in the 2028 elections, Archival said the matter was only briefly discussed and that no definite plans were presented.
“There were some stories about it, but he did not categorically say he would run,” Archival said.
He added that if Zamora eventually pursues a Senate bid, “it would be good to have a friend in Manila.”
The ceremony also included the signing of separate sisterhood agreements between San Juan City and the Province of Cebu, as well as San Juan City and Talisay City.
Comments