In its commitment to aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the City Government of San Fernando, La Union, conducted an orientation session on the SDG Voluntary Local Review (VLR) on November 28, 2024, at the People’s Hall, City Hall.

This session, aimed at strengthening local initiatives and ensuring alignment with the global sustainability framework, was made possible with the help of key partner organizations, including the CITYNET Yokohama Project Office, the City Government of Yokohama, and Nippon Koei.

To start the session, Atty. Maria Nadia Nalinac Gonzales-Pilar, City Legal Officer, delivered her welcome remarks, followed by a message from City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto, who emphasized the importance of aligning all city programs with the SDGs and ensuring their clear, purposeful direction.

Manong Dong also expressed his gratitude to the resource speakers from Yokohama, Japan and Baguio City, underscoring the urgency of transforming the city’s development plans into tangible actions. “A plan, no matter how well-crafted, is just paper without adoption,” he said, urging immediate solutions to issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Mayor Gualberto reinforced this call, stressing the need for proactive and vigilant efforts to ensure sustainable development reaches all communities in San Fernando. He also highlighted the city’s commitment to making sustainable progress rooted in its vision and mission.

Meanwhile, through a virtual session, Ms. Sachiko Sakurai and Ms. Akiko Yamakoshi from Yokohama shared insights on the SDG VLR program, with remarks from Yokohama’s Executive Director, Mr. Norio Tomioka.

Additionally, Arch. Donna Tabangin, EnP, City Planning and Development Coordinator of Baguio City, shared her city’s pioneering experience with SDG VLR, offering valuable best practices. Following thereafter was an open forum, followed by closing remarks from CPDC Brix Caesar D. Cafuir, EnP.

This initiative stemmed from a courtesy meeting between the city and representatives from the CITYNET Secretariat Seoul, CITYNET Yokohama Project Office, the City Government of Yokohama, and Nippon Koei during the 13th Asia Smart City Conference held in the City of Yokohama, Japan on October 22-24, 2024.

The City Government, with the help and guidance of our partner agencies, is committed to ensuring a sustainable environment for the present and future generations of the #PeoplesCity of #SanFernandoTayo.