BACOLOD City – The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental (PGNO), together with its 31 component cities and municipalities and the highly urbanized city of Bacolod, formally entered into a Sisterhood Agreement with San Juan City during a ceremonial signing held on March 12, at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall.
The partnership was led by Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora—who also serves as national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines—and Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya.
The agreement established sisterhood ties between San Juan City and the entire province of Negros Occidental, covering the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias, as well as the municipalities of Binalbagan, Calatrava, Cauayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, Manapla, Murcia, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Toboso, Valladolid, and Candoni. The highly urbanized city of Bacolod is also part of the partnership.
Zamora said that through the Sisterhood Agreement, the participating local government units aim to strengthen cooperation in governance, economic development, tourism promotion, cultural exchange, and the sharing of best practices among communities.
He added that the agreement will provide opportunities for local government units to market their local products at the Greenhills Shopping Center.
In his message during the ceremony, Lacson emphasized the importance of collaboration among local governments in driving progress and development.
“Partnerships among local governments are forged by choice, but the strongest ones are formed out of a shared vision—that communities, no matter the distance between them, can work together for the common good,” Lacson said.
He noted that the agreement reflects the belief that local governments grow stronger by exchanging ideas, learning from each other’s experiences, and opening doors for cooperation that directly benefit their constituents.
Lacson also highlighted the historical connection between the two communities, noting that San Juan holds a significant place in Philippine history as the site of the Battle of Pinaglabanan. He said this spirit of courage and unity resonates with the story of Negrenses, who staged their own historic uprising—the Cinco de Noviembre—two years later.
“Today, we build a bridge between our two communities,” Lacson said. “This partnership creates an avenue for our local governments to work together and opens opportunities for our communities to connect and grow together.”
Zamora likewise expressed optimism that the partnership would encourage stronger cooperation between Metro Manila and provincial local governments.
Joining Zamora during the signing were San Juan City councilors James Yap and Ervic Vijandre, along with former councilor Paul Artadi.
Zamora also thanked Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE), for facilitating the gathering of all local government units to become partners in the initiative.
Following the ceremonial signing, the San Juan delegation visited Silay, known for its rich heritage and historic architecture. Zamora expressed gratitude to Lacson and Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego for the opportunity to experience the city’s culture and history.
The day concluded with a fellowship dinner hosted by Escalante at a restaurant in this city.
Meanwhile, on March 11, Gasataya, together with members of the city council led by Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella, along with 54 punong barangays and 39 Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons, welcomed Zamora at the Bacolod City Government Center.
Gasataya said they are optimistic about the opportunity to build a stronger partnership between San Juan and Bacolod as sister cities by sharing best practices that will help enhance the delivery of public services./PN
