Sister Cityhood

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
A. Francisco Gold Condominium II Bldg., EDSA
Corner Mapagmahal St., Diliman, Quezon City

November 25, 1997

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
NO. 97-306

I. PREFATORY STATEMENT

The Department, through the Bureau of Local Government Supervision, supports the Sister-City or Town-Twinning Program. Through the said program, a local authority may establish a relationship with its counterpart within the country, or abroad, to promote development initiatives that are mutually beneficial to the concerned LGUs.

Over the years, local government partnership was basically, in the field of socio-cultural exchange aimed at fostering understanding, friendship, and goodwill among different communities. Starting from the 1980s, however, the notion of town-twinning has increasingly been in contexts of technical exchange and cooperation in the areas of trade and investments, information technology, health, agriculture, human development, sustainable tourism and environmental management.

Today, approximately 400 LGUs have existing partnership agreements with other local authorities in the country or with their counterparts in the other parts of the world.

II. GUIDELINES IN ESTABLISHING A SISTER-CITY OR TOWN-TWINNING RELATIONSHIP

The following are the suggested guidelines in establishing sister-city or town-twinning relationship:

1. Create a Local Government Relationship Unit, (Development, Division, Section or Unit) or a Sisterhood or Town-Twinning Committee hereinafter referred to as Unit and Committee, or both where appropriate, with the latter body representing a true cross-section of the community, such as but not limited to, government, educational, cultural, technical, business, professional, social, civic, veterans, youth, and media. The Chairmanship of the Committee is left to the decision of the Local Chief Executive, in consultation with the Sanggunian and the Committee Members.

2. The Unit or Committee may initially discuss among themselves the affiliation idea and may define the characteristics of the local authority to affiliate with based on historical, socio-politico-cultural and economic interests.

3. While affiliation proposals are being worked out, it is best for the Unit or Committee or both, to also formulate, a brief profile, in a brochure form of the Province, city, Municipality or Barangay, keeping in mind that beyond the traditional socio-cultural concerns of affiliation, sister-city or twinning is continuously expanding to include technical exchange and cooperation in various economic undertakings.

The Unit or Committee may consult the nearest DILG Regional or Field Office of the Philippine International Sisterhood and Twinning Association (PHISTA) c/o the Bureau of Local Government Supervision Department of the Interior and Local Government for advice:

(a) In preparation of a Local Government Profile for Sister-City or Twinning purposes or

(b) In the selection of, correspondence with, or confirmation of interest to affiliate from, the proposal local or foreign twinning partner.

4. Upon completion of the initial administrative requirements of affiliation, i.e., proposed local or foreign partner already identified and LG Profile, the Unit or Committee then recommends, the through the Local Chief Executive, to the Sanggunian, the Sister-City or Town-Twinning proposal for legislative approval and support.

5. As soon as legislative approval is obtained, the Unit or Committee, through the Local Chief Executive, signifies interest to establish partnership with the chosen local government counterpart. The following documents should be attached to the correspondence from the Local Chief Executive, namely:

(a) Local Government Profile;

(b) Sanggunian Resolution Endorsing the Affiliation initiative;

(c) Draft Memorandum or Understanding highlighting the proposed fields of partnership, and;

(d) List of Community Groups, supporting the Town-Twinning Partnership.

Copies of the above-mentioned documents may be provided the Bureau of Local Government Supervision and the Philippines International Sisterhood and Twinning Association for the other technical support where necessary and data base updating.

6. Once the proposed town-twinning partnership is approved by the other LGU, signing ceremonies on the Memorandum of Understanding should be immediately worked out.

As much as possible, the signing ceremony should be done in the country. In the event this is not possible, consult the nearest DILG Regional or Field Office, also for advice.

7. The Memorandum or Understanding accords vast development opportunities for the twinning partners. In the absence of a Local Government Relations Unit, a Secretariat to the Town-Twinning Committee has to be organized.

Under the guidance of the Committee, and in consultation with the Local Chief Executive and the Sanggunian, the Secretariat formulates and implements, programs, projects, and activities in furtherance of the intent of the Memorandum for Understanding.

It is best that the Secretariat should periodically inform the Local Chief Executive, the Sanggunian, the Town-Twinning Committee and the concerned community groups of accomplishments and related concerns.

III. THE PHILIPPINES INTERNATIONAL SISTERHOOD AND TWINNING ASSOCIATION

The Philippines International Sisterhood and Twinning Association (PHISTA), duly accredited by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, if the principal non-government organization assisting the Department in the furtherance or international local government exchange and cooperation. PHISTA was organized to take the lead in the advocacy and establishment of sister-city or town-twinning relationships.

Subject to relevant local ordinances, and as may be provided in the Constitution and By-Laws of PHISTA, all interested local government units are, therefore, encouraged to join the said association and participate in the latter’s project and activities.

IV. THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The promotion of sister-city or town-twinning is a major program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. For this reason, the Bureau of Local Government Supervision of the this Department shall:

1. Assist all local government units interested in forging partnerships with their counterparts, here and abroad.

2. Coordinate with competent authorities and institutions in the furtherance or town-twinning concerns.

3. Implement Department programs and projects which are supportive of local government exchange and cooperation, and,

4. Maintain a data bank on sister-city or town-twinning undertakings.

For the information and guidance of all concerned.

(Sgd.) ROBERT Z. BARBERS
                 Secretary