Dagupan, Milpitas cities sign accord

A sisterhood pact between the cities of Dagupan in Northern Philippines and Milpitas of the Silicon Valley was signed in great optimism for a better and fruitful partnership within the next two years.

Milpitas City Mayor Jose Esteves, a native of Dagupan City, and Dagupan Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez signed the agreement in behalf of Mayor Benjamin S. Lim.

The signing came shortly after the approval of the sister cities pact by the City of Milpitas Council led by Esteves, Vice Mayor Patricia Dixon, Council Member Bob Livingood, Council Member Althea Polanski and Council Member Armando Gomez Jr.

Fernandez was accompanied by Dagupan City Councilor Farah Decano, City Manager Rafael Baraan, Special Envoy to Overseas Dagupenos Melandrew T. Velasco and US-based Dagupenos led by Dagupan City Association of Northern California president Romeo Manuel.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the focus areas include: Increasing the city officials’ and administrators’ knowledge and understanding of effectively managing different facets of city government; exchange of information and ideas, exchange that improve existing delivery systems used in both cities; and encouraging and fostering goodwill and friendship visits of city officials and residents of both cities.