Baguio Tourism Council and Colorado Springs Fil-Am Chamber Begin Talks on Sister City Partnership

 — October 21, 2024

Baguio Tourism Council and Colorado Springs Fil-Am Chamber Begin Talks on Sister City Partnership

Baguio City – The Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) initiated formal discussions with the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce from Colorado, USA, today, October 19, 2024, marking the start of talks aimed at establishing a Sister City partnership between Baguio and Colorado Springs.


The meeting, led by BTC Chair Gladys Vergara, was attended by key city officials, including Samantha Hamada, Chief of Staff for the City Mayor, City Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Alec Mapalo, Assistant City Administrator VJ Cawis, and BTC representative for Heritage, Arts, Culture, and Media, Ferdie Balanag. Representing the Colorado Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce were President Florian de Castro, Executive Director Jonas Gonzales, Vice President for Membership Lenie de Castro, Vice President for Programs and Events Anne Gonzales, and Vice President for Trade and International Relations Marcial Dumlao.


Discussions covered potential collaborations in key areas such as smart mobility, waste management, traffic solutions, and MSME development through incubators and accelerators for young entrepreneurs. The dialogue also emphasized eco-tourism, sports tourism, academic exchanges—including J1 visa programs for Hospitality and Tourism Management (HRM)—and certification programs for allied medical services.


"This meeting sets the stage for building a solid framework toward a Sister City agreement," Vergara remarked. "We are exploring various partnerships that will benefit both cities, particularly in tourism, trade, culture, and environmental sustainability."


The BTC and Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce also deliberated on strategies to enhance skills development, arts promotion, and manpower training, aiming for long-term cooperation between Baguio and Colorado Springs. Vergara emphasized the significance of this partnership in expanding Baguio’s global network, noting the mutual benefits to both the city’s economy and its international relations.


The next step in this initiative will be a formal meeting between the mayors of Baguio and Colorado Springs, a crucial milestone in finalizing the Sister City agreement.

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