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MANILA, Philippines?Ocean City in New Jersey and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro have forged sister city relations through an exchange of city council resolutions, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Citing the report of the Philippine consulate general in New York, the DFA said San Jose, led by Mayor Romulo Festin, passed Sangguniang Bayan (city council) Resolution 2158 dated 16 November 2009, signifying city?s ?keen interest? in becoming the sister city of Ocean City. The same resolution said San Jose looks forward to undertake various projects with the city in New Jersey in the fields of education, trade and industry, health, social welfare, tourism and environmental protection, and economic management.
On the other hand, the city council of Ocean City, led by council president Susan Sheppard, has reciprocated San Jose?s gesture by passing Resolution 10-46-260 on 14 January 2010. In the resolution, Ocean City said ?this relationship will be mutually beneficial to both municipalities? and that it ?gratefully acknowledges and welcomes San Jose, Occidental Mindoro as its official Sister City.?
Ocean City expects to benefit from the sister-city by expanding its network and contacts with Filipinos residing in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The city wants to position itself as an attractive destination for Filipino-American families, especially during summer and vacation seasons to enjoy its beaches, boardwalk, and other amusement and entertainment places.
Ocean City will honor the Philippines in a two-day tribute entitled ?Ocean City Salutes the Philippines? to be held on 26-27 June 2010 at the Music Pier of Ocean City Boardwalk.
The tribute to be highlighted by a Philippine trade fair, tourism exhibit, and musical performance of Filipino-American entertainers, will expose the Philippines to Ocean City?s regular tourists.
Sister-city relations was made possible through the help of Rene Sese, a Filipino-American resident of Ocean City who was born in San Jose, and recently designated as Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce?s Ambassador for Tourism.
Sese will help in the preparations for the two-day tribute for the Philippines in coordination with the Ocean City?s Chamber of Commerce and city council and with the Philippine consulate general in New York and its Philippine Trade and Investment Center and Philippine Department of Tourism Office.
