Jersey City and GenSan now “sister cities”

Mayor Steven Flop, Mayor Ronnel Rivera, City Councior Rolando Navarro

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera recently signed a symbolic agreement making their two domains “sister cities.”

The agreement calls for the two cities to pursue cultural, educational and business exchanges, as well as “cross visits of government officials, employees, and public and private organizations to learn about effective governance and efficient public service.”

Jersey City has the largest Filipino population in New Jersey.

General Santos City has seen a population explosion, but on a larger scale. The city had a population of 411,000 in the year 2000, but now boasts 594,000 residents. Jersey City has roughly 270,000 residents, up 23,000 from 2010.

General Santos City’s most famous resident is Manny Pacquiao,

City Council President Rolando Lavarro, son of Filipino immigrants, organized the signing ceremony, which featured a potluck Filipino feast.

Lavarro had done much of the communication with General Santos officials.