Manila, City of San Francisco agree to strengthen ties

The mayor of the US city of San Francisco in California donated 100 wheelchairs to Manila yesterday as part of efforts to strengthen ties between the two cities.

Visiting San Francisco Mayor Gavin Christopher Newsom led a 138-member delegation in signing an agreement with Manila Mayor Lito Atienza calling for stronger cultural and tourism ties between their cities that started 45 years ago.

Atienza thanked Newsom for the wheelchairs, assuring that they will go to those who need them most. Newsom, one of San Francisco’s youngest mayors, also donated 80 wheelchairs to the National Council Welfare for the Handicap.

Both mayors said the memorandum of agreement between Manila and San Francisco was made more memorable by the centennial of Filipino migration to the United States.

Newsom said San Franciso is home to 500,000 Filipinos. "It is important to build relationship because San Francisco is the bridge to Asia, especially to the Philippines."

Atienza added Newsom’s visit will "strengthen the exchange of information, experience, tourism" between the sister-cities.

In honor of Newsom, Atienza issued Proclamation No. 770, declaring yesterday as "Mayor Gavin Christopher Newsom Day". He also gave the visiting mayor a symbolic key to the city.

The two also gave each other shirts as token gifts. Newsom gave him a San Francisco shirt, while Atienza handed Newsom a white polo barong that Atienza said would be comfortable to wear during summer.

Under their memorandum of agreement, there would be an exchange of technological expertise and resources involving best management practice in water resources, in protecting urban environment, in control to threats of public health and safety, and providing support systems for the urban poor.

There was also an exchange of books and other educational materials for public libraries in San Francisco and Manila.

There would also be an "encouragement of joint business ventures serving both sides of the Pacific, covering travel and tourism, telecommunications and call centers, outsourcing computer industry services, banking and finance, and residential and commercial real estate."

Among those who accompanied Newsom was a son of former Manila mayor Antonio Villegas, Antonio Jr., who has been living in San Francisco since 1971 when he was still in high school.

He is now a college professor teaching computers and business. He is also currently the vice president of the Filipino-American Press since he is involved in electronic print media.

While some politicians have resorted to nepotism and encourage their children to follow their footsteps, Antonio Jr. said none of his siblings has entered politics.

He admitted that there were many people who have encouraged him to return to the Philippines and enter politics, but he replied "not yet." He has a dual citizenship.

But he said he remains in touch with the Philippines and participates in civic group activities here.