From the Mayor's Desk: October 17, 2025

The City of Cerritos Sister City Program dates back to 1964 with the City's first partnership with Itapetinga, Brazil. We’ve since partnered with Pan-Chao/Banciao/New Taipei City, Taiwan and Loreto, Baja California, Mexico. Sister City programs are generally created between two cities to create friendships, cultural exchanges and may be expanded to include business and professional collaborations.

I'm pleased to share that our Sister City program is growing, as the Cerritos City Council will soon sign a new partnership with the City of San Carlos, Province of Pangasinan, Republic of the Philippines.

Under the City's Sister City Designation Policy, community-based organizations may submit an application for a sister city partnership. In September, the City received a letter from Pangasinan Brotherhood USA, Inc. and San Carlenian Organization of Southern California requesting the Cerritos City Council's consideration of establishing a Sister City relationship with the City of San Carlos. The Pangasinan Brotherhood USA, Inc. is a Cerritos-based section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. The San Carlenian Organization of Southern California is an organization under the umbrella of Pangasinan Brotherhood USA, Inc.

My City Council colleagues and I were honored to officially approve the Sister City partnership request during our meeting on September 25. In the near future, we look forward to officially signing an agreement with the City of San Carlos. Our sincere thanks goes to Pangasinan Brotherhood USA, Inc. President Sue Ann Estrada Tumakay and San Carlenian Organization of Southern California President Donna Cabugao Mejia and their teams for submitting this partnership request. I'm also thankful to Mayor Pro Tem Lynda P. Johnson, who this summer traveled to the Philippines, visiting several communities to explore potential Sister City partnership opportunities. By establishing this formal relationship between the City of San Carlos and the City of Cerritos, we will collectively benefit through mutual learning, cultural understanding, and goodwill.

The strength of our City is made possible in part through our partnerships. From our engaged residents and volunteers to our thriving business community and routine visitors, we are thankful for your commitment to Cerritos. We look forward to building a lasting relationship with the City of San Carlos and our local organizations to support the overall vitality of Cerritos and our service to residents, businesses, and visitors. Learn more about our Sister City and designation process at cerritos.gov/sistercity.