METRO MATTERS
By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA
Sisterhood agreements – or town-twinning partnerships – trace their origins to the aftermath of World War II. They began as acts of reconciliation, such as the 1944 alliance between Coventry in England and Stalingrad in Russia, and evolved into strategic collaborations in governance, culture, and commerce. At their best, these partnerships are not just symbolic gestures – they are tools for mutual progress.
San Juan City has embraced this principle, transforming sisterhood agreements into platforms for action. Under our Makabagong San Juan administration, we have forged partnerships with 10 local government units nationwide and many more to come (2025 onwards), each with a shared commitment to innovation and progress. These are not empty affiliations; they are practical alliances. From Camarines Sur to Pangasinan, from Baler to Magdiwang and San Fernando, Romblon, from Gumaca, Quezon to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, from San Juan, La Union to Quirino, these partnerships open doors for the exchange of best practices on information technology, socio-cultural activities, income-generation and fiscal management, healthcare, public education intensification, and other critical aspects of local governance that lead to growth and advancement together.
Sisterhood agreements succeed when they are rooted in substance. In San Juan, these partnerships are designed to address real challenges with real solutions. During the Covid-19 pandemic, our city became the first in the Philippines to achieve herd immunity. This success wasn’t hoarded – it was shared. Through benchmarking activities and inter-LGU cooperation, we equipped our partners with the strategies needed to accelerate their own vaccination efforts.
These agreements are also lifelines in times of disaster. When typhoons or earthquakes strike, sisterhoods facilitate the rapid mobilization of resources and expertise, ensuring that no city or municipality stands alone. Collaboration is no longer an option – it is a necessity.
Sisterhood agreements can do more than respond to crises; they can create opportunities. In Greenhills Mall, San Juan is launching a retail space where partner LGUs can showcase their finest local products and promote their tourism destinations. This initiative empowers small businesses, expands markets, and strengthens regional economies. Soon, we will also establish a tourism hub to spotlight the cultural richness of our sister cities, connecting communities and fostering shared pride.
As global challenges grow more complex, sisterhood agreements must rise to meet them. With the guidance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), San Juan is aligning its partnerships with broader goals: sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate action. These are not merely local concerns – they are global imperatives. By committing to greener practices and enhanced resilience, we are building a city prepared for the future while contributing to the collective progress of the nation.
The true power of sisterhood agreements lies in their ability to connect, empower, and uplift. They are not just agreements between LGUs; they are frameworks for governance rooted in cooperation. As Metro Manila Council president, Regional Peace and Order chairman, and deputy secretary general of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, I view these partnerships as vital to strengthening local governance. They create a network of cities and municipalities working not in isolation but in solidarity.
Our framework does not stop at national borders. By pursuing international partnerships, San Juan seeks to position itself – and the Philippines – on the global stage. These alliances unlock access to advanced technologies, innovative governance models, and international markets. More importantly, they showcase the resilience, ingenuity, and collaborative spirit of the Filipino people.
Sisterhood agreements are more than just partnerships; they are a vision for a better future. They represent the strength of unity, the wisdom of shared experience, and the promise of progress that transcends borders. The path to a stronger city, a more empowered nation, and a connected world lies in the power of these partnerships. Let us walk it together.