Sister city relationships between RP and US foster cooperation
By Artemio F. Cusi III
Success in community development has encouraged further promotion of
the "sister city" partnerships between the Philippines and the
United States.
Cooperation among urban communities of these two countries has spawned
various forms of aid to the areas greatly in need of such help. The results
of the partnerships are seen in the assistance poured by US donor cities
into infrastructure, education, and health sectors, among others, in Philippine
local government units.
The city of Vallejo in Northern California
is one of US cities with sister-city relationship with Baguio. Members
of the Vallejo Business Alliance Mission visited the Philippines from
22 to 29 October 2006 to explore business opportunities in the country
as well as strengthen the ties of the Vallejo-Baguio City Sister City
Relationship. Seen in the picture is Mayor Anthony Intintoli, Jr. of Vallejo
(5th from left) handing a gift to the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
the Honorable Jose de Venecia (4th from left).
Last July 2006, the World Bank Institute sponsored a seminar for the
Sister Cities International 50th Anniversary Conference in Washington
on how the collaborative efforts can extend support at the organizational
level and identify the relevant development tools required to be effective.
Even much earlier, however, the support from the communities in the US
to eradicate poverty and hunger at the city level in the Philippines has
been growing.
A memorandum of agreement, for instance, had been signed by the cities
of Davao and Tacoma in March 17, 2000 to stamp out the vitamin A and iron
deficiencies, which are also referred to as "hidden hunger".
In addition to the long-term needs, sister cities have proven their crucial
role during disaster relief operations, which require immediate response.
The cities of Makati and Los Angeles forged an agreement for an Emergency
Preparedness Partnership.
In 1995, after the onslaught of Typhoon Angela, the Naga Relief Project
was organized by sister city San Leandro. Medical equipment and cash donated
by businesses and other groups were sent to Naga city.
In the succeeding periods, an ambulance was given by the American Medical
Response of San Leandro. The Kindred Hospital and the Eden Medical Center
also donated medical equipment and hospital supplies.
Although the cooperation between sister cities might provide the wrong
impression that it is simply confined to that of a patron-beneficiary
relationship, the advent of the information and communications technology
(ICT) has further affirmed the reality of comparative advantages, and
thus presented the benefits of outsourcing to both
cities involved.
While providing employment to the host area, the outsourcing firm would
reduce its cost of operations because of the abundant cheap quality labor
in the Philippines. Local government leaders of Bacolod city are keen
in attracting business process outsourcing (BPO) and call centers investments
from sister city Long Beach.
Aside from those already mentioned in this article, the following are
the cities in the Philippines that have created sister city partnerships
with their US counterparts:
1- Angeles City - Las Vegas, Nevada
2- Baguio City -Honolulu, Hawaii; Chicago, Illinois; Vallejo,
California
3- Cavite City - San Diego, California
4- Camiling - Juneau, Alaska
5- Cebu City - Seattle, Washington
6- Davao City - Tacoma, Washington
7- Iloilo City - Stockton, California
8- Lipa City - Fremont, California
9- Manila - San Francisco, California; Honolulu, Hawaii;
Sacramento, California
10- Makati City - Los Angeles, California
11- Palo - Palo Alto, California
12- Quezon City - Daly City, California; Salt Lake City,
Utah
13- Sariaya City - Santa Clarita, California
14- Zambales - Maui, Hawaii
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