Cebu City Sister-City Relations

Cebu City Sister-City Relations

by Dinah Joy Oro

The City of Cebu has been having sister-city relations with other cities for many years already. It has created relations with cities in the Philippines and international cities as well.  Sister city relations are formed to promote friendship among cities and to establish cultural and economic exchanges. This strengthens ties and encourages cooperation between and among cities.  This also lets Cebu City learn new and perhaps more effective means in improving the condition of the city and its people.

Within the country, Cebu City has signed sisterhood agreements with Manila City; Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur; Calamba, Laguna; Burgos, Ilocos Sur; Angeles City, Pampanga; Tangub City, Misamis Occidental; Ormoc City; Talisay City; Lapu-Lapu City; Mandaue City, Palayan City, Toledo City and Laoag City.

For the international cities, the city has established relations with Haarlemmermeer, the Netherlands; Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Yeosu City, South Korea; Xiamen, China; Honolulu City, USA; Chula Vista, California, USA; Paramata, Australia; Kitchener, Canada; Salinas City, California; Kortrijk, Belgium; Vladivostok, Russia; Barcelona, Spain; Brisbane, Australia; Rio de Janiero, Brazil; Yokohama, Japan; Sabrosa, Portugal; Thessaloniki, Greece.

Among the mentioned international sister-cities, six or seven of these are active. These cities include Haarlemmermeer, Yoesu City, Xiamen, Paramata, Kortrijk, Yokohama, and Sabrosa. The other cities are considered dormant. This is according to Ms. Sheida Henry, the Executive Assistant of Councilor Cuenco.

The most recent agreement that Cebu City has signed is with Thessaloniki, Greece. It is stated in its resolution that “The establishment of a sister city relationship with the government of Thessaloniki, Greece is favorable to the development of the city of Cebu in the launching of programs of cooperation that promotes contact and exchange of experiences, good practice measures and information by both parties”. It is also said in the agreement that “both parties will strive to the utmost to develop their mutual potential, with the aim of achieving greater, effective, egalitarian, and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Also last April 2015, the city government of Cebu and the city of Yokohama, Japan renewed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which expired on March 2015. The MOA is effective for another three years, March 2015 to March 2018. This renews the Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Development in which the parties executed a city-to-city cooperation wherein Yokohama City shall provide advice for promoting the eco-city development of Cebu City.

Hopefully, these sister-city relations that Cebu City has will truly flourish. These collaborations would help in the development and success of all the parties involved. Cities with different backgrounds and cultures would be able to understand, learn, and support each other.

To get more information on the sister-city relations of Cebu City, one can communicate with the office of Councilor James Anthony Cuenco who is the chairman of the Cebu City council’s committee on tourism, local and international relations, and arts and culture. Another way is through the Sister City Commission under former congressman Tony Cuenco. Their offices are located at the Cebu City Hall. 

INTERNATIONAL SISTER CITIES:

1. Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands
·         Resolution No. 1706
·         Resolution 995 (December 2, 1992)
2. Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
·         Resolution No. 229 (February 6, 1969)
3. Yeosu City, South Korea
·         Resolution No. 652 (October 23, 1996)
4. Xiamen, China
·         Resolution No. 914 (April 1983)
5. Honolulu City, United States of America
·         (May 12, 2008)
6. Chula Vista, California, United States of America
·         Resolution No. 00-3325
7. Seattle City, Washington, United States of America
·         Resolution No. 110
8. Paramata, Australia
·         Resolution No. 3295
9. Kitchener, Canada
·         Resolution No. 2203
·         Resolution No. 2164
10. Salinas City, California
·         Resolution No. 1213 (June 24, 1991)
·         Resolution No. 287 (May 1997)
 11. Kortrijk, Belgium
·         Letter of Partnership
Signed on May 17, 2005
12. Vladivostok, Russia
·         Resolution No. 174
·         Resolution 713 (September 6 1995)
13. Barcelona, Spain
·         Agreement of Friendship and Cooperation
·         (November 6, 2008)
14. Brisbane, Australia
·         Protocol of Intent
·         Resolution No. 1111
15. Rio de Janiero, Brazil
·         Protocol of Intent
·         Resolution No. 738
16. Yokohama, Japan
·         (March 2015)
17. Sabrosa, Portugal
·         Sister-City Agreement
(October 2, 2014)
18. Thessaloniki, Greece

(Source: Ms. Sheida Henry, SP Cuenco’s Office, Cebu City Hall, Cebu City)