SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines — Mayor Francis Zamora received visiting delegations from the Australian Political Exchange Council and sister city Cebu City on Thursday, September 24, drawing praise for local educational achievements and community care programs.
Led by Australian Senator Josh Anthony Dolega of Tasmania, the international delegation commended the city’s governance priorities, particularly its focus on public education and social inclusion.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, San Juan achieved a 95 percent functional literacy rate—the highest among all highly urbanized cities nationwide. The ranking indicates that nearly 10 out of 10 local residents possess core reading, writing, mathematical, and comprehension skills.
Senator Dolega also highlighted the city’s Right to Care Card, an initiative designed to foster healthcare inclusivity by allowing residents to designate trusted individuals to make medical decisions on their behalf during emergencies.
The visiting Australian group included Parliament of Queensland Legislative Assembly Member Nigel Grantly Hutton, City of Rockingham Councilor Peter Warwick Hudson, Parliamentary Advisor Christopher John Ross Hancock, Australian Services Union representative Tiarne Chantel Crowther, The Nationals NSW manager Rebeckah Madeline Auld, and council representative Ariel Sean Larkey.
Concurrently, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and members of the Cebu City Council participated in the exchange to observe San Juan’s local government programs.
“As sister cities, the visit further strengthened the continuing exchange between San Juan and Cebu City,” the local government said.