08 December 2005

Parramatta City Mayor to visit Cebu to re-vitalize sister-city relations

The Philippine Consulate General, Sydney announced that a Parramatta City Council delegation headed by Lord Mayor David Borger will visit Cebu City from 12-17 January 2006 as a guest of Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the Cebu City Council, witness the Sinulog Festival and explore opportunities for trade, tourism and people-to-people exchange as part of efforts to revitalize the eight-year Sister City Agreement between them. The visit was arranged by the Philippine Consulate General in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Sydney Office and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Sydney.

The City of Cebu and Parramatta City signed the Agreement on 18 June 1997 at Cebu City by former mayors Alvin B. Garcia and John C. Books. It is by far, the first-ever- and the only- Sister-City agreement entered into by a Philippine City in Australia.

Cebu City, which is the capital of Cebu Province in Central Philippines, is the second most important metropolitan center in the country. It was the first capital of the Spanish colonial settlement established in 1565. It has a population of 720,000 and the central hub of economic activity in the region with an airport servicing direct international flights. 

Cebu City is renowned for the Magellan’s Cross landmark and the Sinulog Festival held every third Sunday of January in honor of the Santo Niño or the Holy Child Jesus, the city’s patron saint.

Parramatta has shown its commitment in fostering the sister-city relationship by hosting a flag-raising ceremony with the Consulate and the Filipino Community during the Philippine National Day celebration every June. The City has also supported Pasko Sa Parramatta, a Christmas fair and celebration undertaken by the community every November, now in its fourth year.

The delegation is expected to also meet with Mr. Joel Yu, managing director of the Cebu Investments Promotion Center to explore and discuss possible economic opportunities. A networking session for a number of Australian delegates from the business, government, sports, religious sectors is also being scheduled where they can meet their Philippine counterparts.

Consul General Ma. Theresa Lazaro has lauded the upcoming visit, saying that: “As we renew our ties with the only Australian sister-city, the Philippines looks forward to a dynamic, deeper and exciting era of relations through increased people-to-people contacts and exchanges. We hope that the mutual goodwill, respect and the tangible and intangible benefits established and obtained as a result of the visit will become a shining example for future sister-city arrangements between our countries”.