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USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project Page i Quarterly Progress Report, October – December 2016

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT October 1 – December 31, 2016

Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project CONTRACT NO. AID-492-H-15-00001

JANUARY 31, 2017

This report is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the International City/County Management Association and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project Page i Quarterly Progress Report, October – December 2016

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT October 1 – December 31, 2016

Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project CONTRACT NO. AID-492-H-15-00001

Program Title: USAID/SURGE

Sponsoring USAID Office: USAID/Philippines

Contract Number: AID-492-H-15-00001

Contractor: International City/County Management Association (ICMA)

Date of Publication: January 31, 2017

USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project Page ii Quarterly Progress Report, October – December 2016

Contents

I. Executive Summary 1

II. Introduction 6

III. Correlation to the M&E Plan 7

IV. Result by Result Analysis 21

A. Accomplishments By Component 21 Component 1: Improving Local Capacity in Inclusive and Resilient

Urban Development 21 Component 2: Promote Low Emission Local Economic Development Strategies 28 Component 3: Expanding Economic Connectivity and Access Between

Urban and Rural Areas 39 Cross-cutting Areas 49 B. Accomplishments By City 55 1. Batangas City 58 2. Cagayan de Oro City 60 3. Iloilo City 59 4. Puerto Princesa City 63 5. Tagbilaran City 65 6. Zamboanga City 69

V. Management and Administration 73

VI. Financial Performance Report 75

Annexes 78

USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project Page iii Quarterly Progress Report, October – December 2016

Tables Table 1. Summary of Year 2 Work Plan Outputs 18 Table 2. Year 1 Work Plan Outputs Submitted to USAID on Year 2 Quarter 1 19 Table 3. Summary of Plans and Accomplishments for Component 1 25 Table 4. Summary of Plans and Accomplishments for Component 2 36 Table 5. Summary of Plans and Accomplishments for Component 3 45 Table 6. List of SURGE Project Long-Term Staff Hired During the Quarter 71 Table 7. List of Surge Project Short-Term Staff Hired During the Quarter 71

Figures Figure 1. Summary of e-Readiness Index of CDI Cities 31 Figure 2. Location of CDI Newsletter Readers in the Philippines 52 Figure 3. Logo of the Investment Promotion Materials for Puerto Princesa City 53

Annexes Annex 1. Executive Order (EO) No. 142-16 Creating the Public-Private

Partnership Sub-Committee in the Local Development Council 78 Annex 2. EO No. BC 225-2016 Implementing the Business Permit and Licensing System

Reform Standards and Revised Set-up of Zamboanga City Business One-Stop-Shop 84

Annex 3. EO No. 37 Series of 2016 Creating the Enhanced Bohol Investment Promotion Program Technical Working Committee 90

Annex 4. EO No 32-2016 Creating the Water and Sanitation Overall Management Committee 92

Annex 5. Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget for Year 2017 96 Annex 6. Detailed Status of Year 1 Outputs that were Carried Over to Year 2 97 Annex 7. EO No. 21-2016 Creating the Composition of the TWG and the Joint Inspection

Team to Operationalize the Streamlining of BPLS in Tagbilaran City 99 Annex 8. EO 36 Creating the TWG and the Sub-working Committees in Batangas City 100 Annex 9. Attendance in SURGE Project Training and Study Tours, Disaggregated by Sex 104 Annex 10. Monitored Media Placements, October to December 2016 105 Annex 11. EO No. 165-16 Creation of the Greenhouse Gas Management Committee 110 Annex 12. Ordinance No. 737 Establishing a Septage Management Council

in Puerto Princesa City 113 Annex 13. EO No. 786 Creating the Puerto Princesa Heritage District 122 Annex 14. Tagbilaran City Counter Budget for SURGE Project 128 Annex 15. EO No. BC 229 Reconstituting Zamboanga City SURGE TWG 129

USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project Page iv Quarterly Progress Report, October – December 2016

Acronyms

BEE Business enabling environment BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources BOSS Business One-Stop Shop BPLO Business Permits and Licensing Office BPLS Business Permits and Licensing System CCA Climate Change Adaptation CDI Cities Development Initiative CDP Comprehensive Development Plan CDRRMO City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan CPDO City Planning Development Office DCDB Digital cadastral database DENR Department of the Environment and Natural Resources DILG Department of the Interior and Local Government DOST Department of Science and Technology DOTr Department of Transportation and Communication DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways DRR Disaster risk reduction DRRM Disaster risk reduction management DTI Department of Trade and Industry eBPMS Electronic Building Permit Management System ELA Executive Legislative Agenda EO Executive order ETRACS Enhanced tax revenue assessment and collection system FGD Focus group discussion GAD Gender and Development GHG Greenhouse gas emission GIS Geographic information system HLURB Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board ICLEI International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives IPC Investment promotion center ISSP Information System Strategic Plan JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency LEIPO Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office LCCAP Local Climate Change Action Plan LDC Local Development Council LDIP Local Development Investment Program LGI Land Governance Innovations LGU Local government unit MSWRP Municipal solid waste recycling program NCC National Competitiveness Council PITEC Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council PFM Public finance management PPP Public-private partnerships RCC Regional Competitiveness Council RLTA Rapid land tenure assessment RPT Real property tax SMV Schedule of market values STTA Short-term technical assistance SURGE Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity TIPC Trade and Investment Promotion Center TWG Technical working group UDI Urban development index UDLC Urban Development Learning Center ULIS Unified land information system WCI Wealth of cities index

USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project Page 1 Quarterly Progress Report, October – December 2016

I. Executive Summary Building upon the foundation established in Year 1, USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project moved ahead with its Year 2 work plan activities during the reporting period October through December 2016. The quarter began with the project’s preparatory activities for two major events: A Land Tenure Conference scheduled in February and a Youth Forum in April 2017. The Land Tenure Conference will provide an excellent opportunity to promote and advocate for improved land administration and management in urban areas. The Youth Forum aims to increase the awareness of the youth on urban development trends and encourage them to share their ideas and vision of future cities. The project team also initiated work on the development of the Wealth of Cities Index (WCI). The index is a measure of the level of total impact of SURGE working with all USAID’s Cities Development Initiative (CDI) partner cities of Batangas and Puerto Princesa in Luzon, Iloilo and Tagbilaran in the Visayas, and Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga in Mindanao, taking into consideration SURGE’s work on environment, economy and social development. The Wealth of Cities Index is a composite index that will be used to measure overall impact of SURGE technical support to CDI cities over the course of the project and will be incorporated as part of SURGE’s M&E plan. SURGE project provided technical, logistic and analytical support to USAID in the selection of new CDI partner cities. Based on the framework and criteria formulated, and the scoping missions conducted in October 2016, USAID selected General Santos City and Legaspi City as new CDI partner cities. Aligned with the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 on the Revised Standards in Processing Business Permits and Licenses in All Cities and Municipalities, the project helped formulate and support CDI partner cities in streamlining their business permits and licensing systems (BPLS). The Project provided support through workshops, study tours, customer service skills training, and dry-runs of the streamlined registration systems. The streamlined processes became operational during the annual renewal of business permits in January. Along with the water-related activities during the quarter, SURGE Project conducted a study tour on Sewage Management in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, and in the Municipality of Baliwag in Bulacan in November 2016. The activity was participated in by 26 (9 women, 17 men) staff from the water districts, water service providers, and city officials. The workshops enabled them to observe the actual sewage management facilities and best practices in the said localities. The participants also learned to formulate work plans for the establishment of Sewage Management Technical Working Group and an actual Sewage Management facilities or system in their respective cities. Additionally, during the quarter, the project conducted the Pre-Rapid Land Tenure Assessment (RLTA) in Cagayan de Oro City wherein discussions focused on the establishment of a Unified Land Information System (ULIS). This will help facilitate the issuance of land titles to 2011 Typhoon Sendong-affected communities and rural farmers in two barangays in Cagayan de Oro City.


Key project activities and achievements for the quarter Support to CDI Partner Cities The SURGE Project Technical Working Group (TWG) in Batangas City was formally organized through an executive order signed by Mayor Beverley Rose Dimacuha on November 21, 2016. The TWG helps in the coordination and implementation of project activities in the city. With the formal creation of the SURGE TWG in Batangas City, the Project completed its commitment to set up technical working groups in all CDI cities. The project continued to support CDI partner cities of Batangas, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga in updating their land use plans through mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (CCA-DRR) in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), zoning ordinance and the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP). The project and the University of the Philippines Visayas, in particular, played an important role in updating Iloilo City’s CDP and CLUP to mainstream CCA-DRR. A series of consultations with the government, academe and the private sectors led to the crafting of the City’s new vision (Iloilo City: A Premiere SMART City of Excellence). This vision was approved by the Local Development Council in November 2016. Preliminary activities on climate-resilient urban planning and infrastructure development, particularly for new cities were finalized. The project finalized the plans for the vulnerability assessments and the workshops on local climate change action plan; greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and GHG management planning; and low-emission transport management planning. SURGE Project’s assistance to CDI cities led to the issuance of the following executive orders and ordinances:

Executive Order No. 142-16 creating the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Subcommittee in the Local Development Council (LDC) and its Secretariat relative to the development and implementation of PPP initiatives of Cagayan de Oro City and designating the members and functions;

Executive Order No. BC 225-2016 implementing the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) Reform Standards as per Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 Series of 2016 and Revised Set-up of Zamboanga City Business One-Stop Shops (ZCBOSS);

Executive Order No. 37 Series of 2016 for the Tripartite Enhanced Bohol Investment Promotion Program Technical Working Committee;

Executive Order No. 32 Series of 2016 creating the Water and Sanitation Overall Management Committee; Water Systems Improvement Task Force; Ring-Fencing Technical Working Group and a Septage Management Team to improve Water and Sanitation Services in Tagbilaran City.

Executive Order No. 23 creating E-PESO Technical Working Group for the implementation of the E-PESO activity under the United States Agency for International Development Program in Tagbilaran City

Ordinance No. 786 creating the Puerto Princesa Heritage District and its Governing Body With the passage in October 13, 2016 of the Appropriation Ordinance 16-07 an Ordinance Appropriating the Sum of Php 907,703,374 from the General Fund for the Operation of the City


Government of Tagbilaran from January 1 to December 31, 2017 and for other purposes, the city provided counterpart funding for SURGE Project activities in the amount of Php 1,420,000. Gender equality and Social Inclusion The continued technical assistance in integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), particularly on the Gender and Development (GAD) Planning and Budgeting in Puerto Princesa City facilitated the approval of almost Php 229 million GAD budget of the city for 2017. The city allocated Php 54 million for the establishment and operation of a Community-Based Women and Child Disaster Evacuation Management Center. The fund supports: (1) the provision of gender-sensitive facilities and safe washing areas; (2) the procurement of collapsible breastfeeding tents; (3) temporary and permanent toilet facilities/amenities; and (4) ensure availability of safe water. The SURGE Project also assisted in the approval of Ordinance No. 2016-15, amending the Panglao Island Executive Council (PIEC) to include Tagbilaran City, thereby creating the Panglao Island – Tagbilaran Executive Council (PITEC). While it is approved in its third and final reading in December 2016, the copy of the ordinance is yet to be signed by February 2017. Trainings and workshops conducted during the quarter:

BPLS study tours and BPLS streamlining workshops, and customer service skills training for the cities’ front office personnel in CDI cities (Puerto Princesa, Batangas, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga) from October to December 2016;

Workshop with TWG in Iloilo City to facilitate the Comprehensive Development Plan on October 27, 2016As part of the water management activity, the project conducted a Ring-Fencing and Business Planning and Training Workshop in Tagbilaran City on December 7 to 9, 2016 to revisit and renew the overall direction of the Tagbilaran City Waterworks Office (TCWO). The workshop was participated in by 94 (46 women, 48 men) key city officials and staff in charge of water and sanitation services, including the city councilors. It aimed to orient and train the participants on the basics of water utility improvement tools, focusing on ring fencing and business planning, and guide them in preparing a plan that the city government can use in the implementation of the corresponding reforms for systems and procedures. As a result, the participants were able to develop a business plan.

It is noteworthy that after the workshop, Tagbilaran City issued Executive Order No. 32, Series of 2016, dated December 16, 2016, “Providing for the Creation of Water and Sanitation Overall Management Committee; Water Systems Improvement Task Force; Ring-Fencing Technical Working Group and a Sewage Management Team to Improve Water and Sanitation Services in Tagbilaran City and Providing for Duties Therefor”. The executive order aims to address water and sanitation issues to improve Tagbilaran City’s water and sewage management. The assessment on the business enabling environment (BEE) in the six CDI cities was also completed in November 2016. The BEE are factors in the city that promote or constrain the flow of investments such as regulatory framework, barriers to trade, and access to finance, among others. A BEE diagnostic tool was used to assess the business-enabling environment of the partner cities. The tool measures the following dimensions: quality of regulatory environment, institutional capacity and performance of the local government unit, quality of investment climate, and effectiveness of public-private dialogue.


Synergies with other USAID Projects/Programs The SURGE Project participated in the USAID B-LEADERS GHG inventory workshop held on November 14-16, 2016 in Tagbilaran City. The GHG management plans will be customized to local systems and processes for land-use and infrastructure planning. The project team held a series of meetings with the USAID/COMPETE Project currently working in Tagbilaran City and Puerto Princesa City on the status of tourism-related interventions in the cities and to plan the transition of activities between the two projects. The Project continues to collaborate with COMPETE Project for the conduct of Heritage Tourism Symposia in Tagbilaran City and Puerto Princesa City. SURGE aims to initiate heritage tourism-related to develop action plans to implement priority tourism projects such as identification of new tourism sites, development of support infrastructure, marketing and promotion, and capacity building of local tourism offices. In November 2016, SURGE and COMPETE presented heritage maps, conservation guidelines and tourism bubbles to city stakeholders. Batangas City has been collaborating with the project on further enhancement of the streamlined BPLS that was introduced by the USAID-INVEST Project. This include series of preparatory activity meetings for the 2017 business renewal, particularly the physical arrangements, logistics and simulation of business renewal processes using the computerized system. SURGE Project also facilitated the visit of the representatives of the Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Project (MWRP) along with USAID in Batangas City on December 7, 2016. The team was composed of representatives from USAID Washington, Hillary Marshal and Darren Manning and MWRP Chief of Party Henri Disselkoen. The discussion focused on the on-going solid waste management programs of the city and on some possible project partnership. with Batangas City. As a step towards the SURGE Project and USAID’s Be Secure Project’s joint effort in mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the Iloilo City’s CLUP and zoning ordinance, the project participated in the Be Secure Project’s presentation on November 24, 2016 regarding the updating of the city’s CLUP. In Zamboanga City, the project participated in the pre-feasibility study meeting on the Impounding Dam initiated by Be Secure Project on December 9, 2016. One of the main issues in the meeting is the source of funding for the conduct of the feasibility. The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) said it will send a proposal to the Be Secure Project to co-fund with the city the expenses for the feasibility study of the impounding dam. The SURGE Project coordinated the visit of USAID Officials to Puerto Princesa City and Provincial Government of Palawan, including the site visits for USAID COMPETE projects and launching of the Streamlined BPLS during the MiMaRoPa Investment Conference in November 2016. At the conference, the project highlighted the Memorandum of Agreement Signing on Cash Card and e-payment facilities between the city government and the Land Bank of the Philippines as facilitated by the USAID E-PESO Project. Challenges met during the Quarter

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II. Introduction The Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project is an award of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The project’s period of performance is five years, from July 27, 2015 to July 26, 2020. The SURGE Project supports the USAID/Philippines’ Cities Development Initiative (CDI) which is part of the broader Partnership for Growth (PFG), a White House-initiated agreement between the U.S. Government (USG) and the Government of the Philippines. The PFG aims to shift the Philippines to a sustained and more inclusive growth trajectory at par with other high‐performing emerging economies. The SURGE Project’s development hypothesis is that secondary cities serve as agents of growth and contribute to the improved welfare of both urban and rural populations. To achieve this, the project has three areas or components: (1) improving local capacity in inclusive and resilient urban development, (2) promoting low‐emission local economic development strategies, and (3) expanding economic connectivity and access between urban and rural areas. The SURGE Project will therefore be helping cities and adjacent areas plan effectively, guarantee basic public services, reduce business transaction costs, promote competitiveness, support sustainable development, and reduce disaster risks while ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth. At the start of the project, USAID identified six partner cities to be included in the CDI, which will be provided with support following a “whole-of-mission” approach in which all other USAID projects are encouraged to converge for an integrated delivery of assistance. These cities are Batangas and Puerto Princesa in Luzon, Iloilo and Tagbilaran in the Visayas, and Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga in Mindanao. The submission of this quarterly progress report is in compliance with Section F.6 (Reports and Deliverables) of the contract between USAID and ICMA. The report focuses on the three components of the project, along with cross-cutting activities that have been approved by USAID in the Year 2 work plan dated October 6, 2016. It presents a description of the work conducted by the SURGE Project to achieve the strategic objectives and priority goals during the first quarter of Year 2 project implementation. The report, which covers the period of October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, has the following sections: (1) Executive Summary, 2) Correlation to the Monitoring & Evaluation Plan, (3) Accomplishments by Component and City, (4) Management and Administration, and (5) Financial Performance.


III. Correlation to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan The SURGE Project is committed to continuing to enhance its capacity to monitor, and report results as a key aspect of its work program. This chapter outlines the correlation of the project’s performance with the M&E Plan1. The latest version of the M&E Plan consists of 19 performance indicators: one indicator at the impact level, 17 indicators at the outcome level, and one indicator at the output level. These indicators are aligned with the expected impact and outcomes outlined in the latest Performance Work Statement of the project. They are all directed towards strengthening secondary cities as agents of regional growth and as economic growth hubs that create jobs for their poorest residents, deliver and improve services, and link rural agricultural producers with urban markets. The various assessment studies and activities conducted in Year 1 provided useful inputs as the project continues its work in Year 2, contributing to the 19 approved performance indicators. These are described as follows: 1. Overall Impact: Economically Thriving and Resilient Growth Centers Outside Metro

Manila

While the overall impact of the project could not yet be fully realized at this stage, the project team has started the development of the Wealth of Cities’ Index (WCI) which shall serve as the first project impact indicator – Impact Indicator 0.1: CDI Cities’ Wealth of Cities Index (WCI). As it is currently formulated, it will cover three important dimensions to which the project primarily contributes to: environment, economy, and social development. As per USAID direction, a SURGE Project team was formed to focus on the WCI. The initial thinking regarding the index is to ensure that the dimensions of environment, economy, and social development are captured. This is in cognizance that a city’s wealth is not only due to its financial assets but also to the confluence of its human resources and the physical/geo-spatial environment where it is located. The project team also took into consideration what has already been done in terms of approximating welfare, wealth, income and assets in previous aggregative measures such as the Regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI). The team’s initial thinking on the WCI sub-indices on Environment, Economy and Social Development includes the following variables:

Economy Environment Social Development

1. Business Registration 2. Local Government Revenues 3. Land Parcel Registration

1. Improving Resilience 2. Clean Energy 3. Climate Change Adaptation

1. Employment 2. Potable Water 3. Sanitation

1 The SURGE M&E Plan was provided provisional COR approval on 8 December 2016, pending submission of

revised indicators measuring growth of cities and project targets for Years 2 to 5.


These variables are also related to selected SURGE Project performance indicators. To date, the project is gathering data on the mentioned variables. A methodology for standardizing or normalizing the data is also being developed. 2. Desired Impact 1: Improved local capacity in inclusive and resilient urban development Outcome Indicator 1.1.1: Number of CDI cities with risk-sensitive, socially inclusive, and gender-responsive land use plans The project continued to assist CDI partner cities in updating their land use plans, following the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Supplemental Guidelines in mainstreaming climate change and disaster risks in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CDP). For this quarter, the project supported the following activities:

Technical reviews, including review for GESI integration, of Zamboanga City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), Zoning Ordinance (ZO) and the CDP; and

Iloilo City’s crafting of its new Vision as the first step towards amending the city’s CDP. This was done with the help of SURGE Project and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV).

Outcome Indicator 1.1.2: Number of people supported by the U.S. Government to adapt to the effects of climate change The project has started preparatory activities on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (CCA-DRR). Series of meetings between the component lead, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and SURGE Project’s CCA-DRR Specialist were held to finalize the following climate change-related activities to be implemented starting in the second quarter of Year 2:

Vulnerability Assessment workshops for LDRRMP/LCCAP, as part of Activity 2-1.1.01: Improve science-based decision-making, policy and planning on land use, infrastructure, water and sanitation services in climate-sensitive and disaster-risk areas; and Activity 2-1.1.02: Develop and implement local climate change adaptation and mitigation projects;

GHG inventory and GHG management planning workshops, as part of Activity 2-1.1.02: Develop and implement local climate change adaptation and mitigation projects; and

Low-emission transport management planning workshop, as part of Activity 2-1.2.02: Climate-resilient land-use and infrastructure planning in CDI cities’ identified priority areas.

Outcome Indicator 1.1.3: Number of people using climate information or implementing risk-reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change as supported by USG assistance In Year 2 work programs, the project has downscaled climate projections on parameters as temperature and precipitation in conducting vulnerability and risk assessments. It provides vital climate information, risk and hazard maps contributing to the following indicators:

Activity 2-1.1.01: Improve science-based decision-making, policy and planning on land use, infrastructure, water and sanitation services in climate-sensitive and disaster-risk areas; and

Activity 2-1.2.01: Utilization of geographical information system (GIS) in low-emission climate adaptation programming in CDI cities.


Outcome Indicator 1.1.4: Number of people trained in clean energy supported by U.S. Government assistance SURGE Project started preparatory activities on climate-related program during this quarter. Trainings on clean energy which will be conducted in the latter part of Year 2 include:

GHG Management Planning, as part of Activity 2-1.1.02: Develop and implement local climate change adaptation and mitigation projects;

LCCAP/DRRMP Planning, as part of Activity 2-1.1.01: Improve science-based decision-making, policy and planning on land use, infrastructure, water and sanitation services in climate-sensitive and disaster-risk areas; and Activity 2-1.1.02: Develop and implement local climate change adaptation and mitigation projects;

Study Tours to Clean Energy Sites, as part of Activity 2-1.2.02: Climate-resilient land-use and infrastructure planning in CDI cities’ identified priority areas; and

Low-Emission Transport and Traffic Management Planning Workshops, as part of Activity 2-1.2.02: Climate-resilient land-use and infrastructure planning in CDI cities’ identified priority areas.

Outcome Indicator 1.1.5: Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for climate change adaptation as supported by U.S. Government assistance With the preparatory activities starting this quarter, the project targets to increase the amount of investments mobilized in CDI cities for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management. Nonetheless, a SURGE-facilitated Gender Planning and Budgeting in Puerto Princesa City in Year 1 has resulted in the allocation of Php54 million to support the establishment and operation of gender-sensitive and child-friendly evacuation centers with safe washing area, availability of safe water, collapsible breast feeding units, toilet facilities and amenities among others. The project will track the progress of this allocation to ensure that this will indeed be mobilized.

Outcome Indicator 1.1.6: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, estimated in metric tons of CO2e, reduced, sequestered, or avoided through clean energy activities supported by U.S. Government assistance One of the major activities on CCA-DRR is the GHG Inventory and Accounting. The project is now preparing to conduct GHG-related activities in the first part of the second quarter of Year 2. Aside from the GHG Inventory and Accounting, some of the activities are local forum and GHG management planning workshop. These will enable the project to identify the community-level GHG emissions, and the amount of GHG emissions that they will target to reduce, sequester, and avoid through clean energy initiatives. The project closely coordinated with USAID B-LEADERS on the GHG work that they have initiated in some of the CDI cities. The cities of Zamboanga and Tagbilaran have participated in the USAID B-LEADERS’ GHG Inventory and Accounting activities in the last quarter of Year 1 until in the first quarter of Year 2. Initial activities also started in Cagayan de Oro City. The data from the B-LEADERS’ GHG-related activities will be useful in the future workshops of the project, particularly in new CDI cities. SURGE aims to achieve the following targets:


Outcome Indicator 1.1.7: Number of people receiving improved service quality from an existing basic or safely managed drinking water service as a result of U.S. Government assistance The water assessments in non-Be Secure CDI partner cities of Batangas, Tagbilaran, and Puerto Princesa, which started in the latter part of Year 1, were completed within the reporting period. These assessments provided baseline data that helped in the identification of water and sanitation targets for Years 2 to 5 project implementation. The following activities which aim to improve the service quality of water services in the CDI partner cities were also facilitated:

WaterLinks International Water Forum at Dusit Thani Manila on October 2016. The project facilitated the participation of the water districts (WDs), water service providers (WSPs), and city officials in this forum. This activity provided an opportunity for participants to collaborate for possible water operator partnerships with the Baliwag Water District, Maynilad, and Manila Water.

Ring-Fencing and Business Planning and Training Workshop in Tagbilaran City on December 7-9, 2016. The project facilitated the activity to orient and train the participants on the basics of water utility improvement tools; guide them in the preparation of a plan that the city government can use in the implementation of the corresponding reforms for systems and procedures of the Tagbilaran City Waterworks System (TCWS). This activity happened at the same time with the visit of the USAID Mission Director Susan Brems.

The project is now preparing for the workshop on the development of water plans and programs, business plans, and ordinances and technical working group (TWG) formations for the non-Be Secure CDI cities. Most of the activities, however, will start in the second quarter to ensure that the targets for this indicator will be achieved. Outcome Indicator 1.1.8: Number of people gaining access to a basic sanitation service as a result of USG assistance Sanitation-related project activities have officially started in Year 2, along with the water-related activities during the quarter. The project conducted the study tour on Septage Management in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, and in the Municipality of Baliwag in Bulacan. The activity was participated in by water districts, water service providers, and city officials from the non-Be Secure cities. The workshops enabled them to observe the actual septage management facilities and best practices in the said localities. The participants also learned to formulate work plans for the establishment of Septage Management TWG and an actual Septage Management facilities or system in their respective cities. The project will continue supporting CDI partner cities through coaching and mentoring to ensure that the septage management work plans are properly implemented. Once funds for the establishment of such facility in CDI cities are available, its beneficiaries will be considered in this particular indicator.

3. Desired Impact 2: Improved environment for local economic development

The project continued to work on streamlining business permits and licensing system in CDI partner cities, and the facilitation on market linkages. The assistance will contribute to the improvement of low-emission local economic development. SURGE Project started to conduct preparatory activities in CDI cities on the following: (1) improving their local revenue generation


and expenditure management; (2) improving their local land tenure security and land information management; and (3) strengthening their Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPOs), investment promotion centers (IPC), and business support organizations (BSOs). Outcome Indicator 2.1.1: CDI Cities' Cities and Municipalities' Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Improved The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) is currently working on the collection of data for the CMCI 2017, which will be held in mid-2017. For the reporting period, one of the major activities that would contribute to the improvement of the CMCI Overall Competitiveness Ranking of CDI cities is the assistance in streamlining business permit and licensing processes, particularly in the preparation for the annual renewal of business permits which is done every first month of the year. The project has also assisted Zamboanga City (whose CMCI ranking decreased in 2016) in improving the quality (e.g. completeness, accuracy) of data submitted to the Regional Competitiveness Council (RCC) in preparation for the CMCI 2017. To further improve the ranking of the CDI partner cities, the following activities will be conducted in the second quarter of Year 2:

Activity 2-2.1.01: Improve local revenue generation and expenditure management

Activity 2-2.1.04: Explore alternative financing sources for LGUs

Activity 2-2.2.01: Streamline and automate the CDI cities’ Business Permits and Licensing Systems

Activity 2-2.3.01: Develop a land tenure improvement strategy

Activity 2-2.4.01: Strengthen Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPOs), investment promotion centers (IPC), and business support organizations (BSOs)

Outcome Indicator 2.1.2: Number of newly registered businesses Aligned with the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 on the Revised Standards in Processing Business Permits and Licenses in All Cities and Municipalities, which the project has helped in formulating, further support was provided to CDI partner cities in streamlining their business permits and licensing system (BPLS) through the following capacity development activities:

completion of the Study Tours on BPLS in Batangas, Quezon City and Valenzuela, participated by city officials from Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro.

conduct of BPLS Streamlining workshops in Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, and Zamboanga.

conduct of Customer Service Skills Training for the cities’ BPLS frontliners started in Zamboanga City, Puerto Princesa City, and Tagbilaran City.

The project also provided additional support in the cities’ preparatory activities for the renewal of business permits including the dry-runs of the streamlining process with business registrants. The activities conducted in Year 1 will later contribute to the targeted increase in the newly registered businesses in CDI partner cities, along with the following activities that will be conducted in the second quarter of Year 2:

Activity 2-2.2.01: Streamline and automate the CDI cities’ Business Permits and Licensing Systems; and



The outcome of these streamlining activities from Year 1 up to current reporting period will be determined with the assessment of BPLS in the regular business renewals this January 2017. Outcome Indicator 2.1.3: Percentage increase of locally sourced or municipal revenue The project identified interventions to increase the locally sourced income of CDI cities. Several activities that fall under Components 2 and 3 aimed to increase local revenue. For Year 2, activities have been identified to support local government revenue generation. This will allow CDI cities to develop other sources of revenues at the local level and reduce its dependency on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), the national government and other external sources. The project continues to provide CDI cities with the tools to help them continuously strategize on ways to improve its local income collection and widen its tax base. It will also assist the cities to realize their potential for mobilizing public and private revenues through revenue enhancement, joint ventures and other forms of public-private partnerships (PPPs), increase LGU borrowing capacity and other types of intergovernmental financing mechanism such as city asset management.

City asset management, in particular, can be identified as opportunities to guarantee local revenues. While IRA is a national government revenue transfer, there are other funds from the national government which the LGU may access and in most cases, real property that has not been inventories nor classified for alternative use. These sources hold the potential to generate revenues for local governments. The project continues to implement the following activities to support growth of locally-generated revenue of CDI cities:


The SURGE Project started working with the City Treasurer and Assessor’s Offices to complete land and building inventories in the tax roll, and improve the quality of tax maps to capture updates on property transactions. This activity is sub-contracted to the Land Governance Innovations (LGI) Consultants, Inc. The planned activities should develop flexibility in the cities’ computer systems to accept modifications such as a general revision in the schedule of market values (SMV).


The project assisted Batangas City’s LEIPO in identifying possible funding for the farm-to-market roads project of the city. In the next quarter, the project will assist in identifying critical farm-to-market road sections, the application of funding and the development of a feasibility study.



A series of study tours and workshops on BPLS were conducted from October to December 2016 participated in by 44 participants. The study tours aim to help partner cities to identify reform areas, processes, challenges and issues in streamlining the BPLS and building and occupancy permitting systems. It should assist city officials in streamlining their BPLS and eventually adopting a fully-automated BPLS and Building Occupancy Permits system (BPOS). On the other hand, the workshops aim to assist the local government units in streamlining their city’s business registration and licensing procedures to enable the city to comply with and surpass the national BPLS standards.


A rapid land tenure assessment (RLTA) was done with the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) and LGU in Cagayan de Oro City in November 2016. RLTA is the process to obtain a clear picture of the land tenure situation on the ground before any titling activity is undertaken. The activity will also determine the number of possible lots to be titled in a particular area and identify the requirements for titling. The SURGE project has initiated work on the issuance of special patents for government lands with the inclusion of asset management of the cities’ real property. The technical assistance will introduce a new systematic approach to increase the effective use of real property, owned or operated by a local government. It will involve a comprehensive inventory of all assets and an evaluation of each property to determine the best use for a local government. Asset management will then address other property management issues through methodologies related to property valuation under RPT work, analysis of direct and indirect subsidies, introduction of operating statements for each property, and so on. This multidisciplinary approach to managing assets is expected to result in improving local finances, service delivery and facilitate local economic development.


The project assisted in the investment promotion of CDI cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and Tagbilaran. The STTA shared key concepts on business attraction, retention and expansion. The need for the cities to define focus sectors, prioritize, and have an Investment Promotions Unit solely dedicated to investment promotions was also highlighted. Iloilo City’s Investment and Promotions Board will enhance its investment promotion plan.

Activity 2-3.1.01: Work with stakeholders in Batangas City and concerned national government agencies to strengthen policies related to competitiveness of local meat products

The project discussed possible collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines in November 2016 to strengthen meat processing guidelines of local meat products.

Activity 2-3.1.02: Work with local stakeholders and national government agencies to support the enactment of local ordinances that promote good practices in sustainable mariculture, catch, and processing of priority commodities.


Data gathering and consolidating of data from various government agencies were done to get updated information relevant to these policy issues. Information gathered included existing local regulations on fishery and aquaculture production in Palawan, including the proposed mariculture sites from the Palawan Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Activity 2-3.1.03: Facilitate market linkages between tourism establishments and vegetable producers in Iloilo City, Tagbilaran City and Bohol Province

The project and the City Agriculture Offices of Tagbilaran and Iloilo met with potential producer groups in Bohol and Iloilo to determine their production capabilities, assess their market readiness and plan activities to improve their capacity to supply institutional buyers. These groups are the Bohol Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities Cooperatives, Panay Organic Producers Association, and the Creative Community Foundation.

Activity 2-3.1.04: Facilitate market linkages between darag chicken producers in Iloilo and institutional buyers

To facilitate potential market linkages between darag chicken producers and prospective buyers, the project met with representatives from the academe, particularly the Western Visayas State University (WVSU).

Activity 2-3.1.05: Facilitate market linkages between cashew and lamayo producers in Puerto Princesa and institutional buyers

SURGE Project met with local cashew producers such as the Puerto Princesa Agri Producers Marketing Association, Langogan Rural Improvement Club, Agrivatek Corp. and Specialty Food Craft to assess their production capabilities, including the drafting of action plans, to enhance their market readiness.

Activity 2-3.1.07: Assist the city in developing the business and operations plan of the Puerto Princesa City Agri-Pinoy Trading Center

The project initially met with the Cardinal Agri Group on December 14, 2016 to discuss possible supply linkages for coconuts and other commodities for producers in Puerto Princesa. Cardinal Agri is setting up an integrated coconut processing plant in Southern Palawan and it is interested to purchase coconuts from local producers.

Activity 2-3.1.08: Facilitate business planning for Agri-Aqua Processing Center in Iloilo City

The project is now preparing for the development of a business plan for the Agri-Aqua Processing Center in Iloilo City. The center aims to entice agriculture investors and increase productivity of the agribusiness sector in the city.

Activity 2-3.1.11: Organize a Heritage Symposium and develop Tourism Strategy and Action Plans for Puerto Princesa City and Tagbilaran City


The SURGE Project is collaborating with USAID/COMPETE Project on the status of tourism-related interventions in Tagbilaran City and Puerto Princesa City. The plan to conduct a Heritage Tourism Symposium will boost heritage tourism activities in the cities.

Outcome Indicator 2.1.4: Number of parcels with relevant parcel information corrected or incorporated into an official land administration system as a result of USG assistance

As a result of the completed land tenure assessment done in Year 1, several preparatory land tenure activities were conducted within the reporting period. The preparations done in this quarter primarily focused on the organization of the two-day Land Tenure Conference titled, “Sustainable Land Governance”, which is scheduled for February 8-9, 2017. The conference will contribute to the improvement of land administration and management that, in turn, promotes local economic growth of CDI partner cities. Part of the preparations is to conduct rapid land tenure assessments (RLTA) in Cagayan de Oro City. Discussions include the establishment of a Unified Land Information System (ULIS), in which the parcels that will be accounted for this indicator, will be incorporated. The said activity has also facilitated the issuance of land titles to 2011 Typhoon Sendong-affected communities and rural farmers in Barangays Pagatpat and Tumpagon, as well as the formation and training of a local team for Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal.

Following these are Quarter 2 land tenure activities that will later contribute to this indicator:

Activity 2-2.3.01: Develop a land tenure improvement strategy; and

Activity 2-2.3.04: Organize a Land Tenure Conference.

Outcome Indicator 2.1.5: Number of firms receiving USG-funded technical assistance for improving business performance

The project continued to assist the LEIPOs, IPCs, and BSOs of CDI partner cities as a result of the assessments done in Year 1 under Component 2. The Business Enabling Environment Assessment, which began in Year 1, was also completed during the reporting period. Exploratory work was also done under Component 3 to ensure expansion of economic activity and access between urban and rural areas, taking into considerations the findings and recommendations from the value chain (agriculture and mariculture) and policy assessments done in Year 1. The project coordinated with various potential institutional buyers such as San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) for the linking of prioritized producer groups from the CDI cities for the improvement of their business performance. Coordination with producer groups (e.g. Bohol Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities Cooperatives, Panay Organic Producers Association, Creative Community Foundation, Puerto Princesa Agri Producers Marketing Association, Langogan Rural Improvement Club, Agrivatek Corp. and Specialty Food Craft) also began in the first quarter. The collaboration focused on the assessment of their plans and activities in terms of market readiness and production capabilities. SURGE Project also coordinated with various agencies and organizations to improve local supply chains. These include:

Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP), for the establishment of a seaweed


network in Puerto Princesa City;

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), for the linking of agriculture and aquaculture producers in CDI cities;

City Agriculture Offices of Tagbilaran and Iloilo, for the linking of tourism establishments and vegetable producers in Iloilo, Tagbilaran City and Bohol; and

Western Visayas State University (WVSU), for the linking of darag chicken producers in Iloilo City and institutional buyers;

Philippine Tour Operators Association (PhilTOA), for the possible partnership for tourism-related activities in Puerto Princesa City and Tagbilaran City; and

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for the Feasibility Study that they have conducted on the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT).

The project collaborated with USAID COMPETE Project for tourism-related activities that will be conducted in Tagbilaran City and Puerto Princesa City, particularly in the preparations of the Heritage Symposium scheduled in February 2017. The discussions with COMPETE Project also focused on the action planning for the implementation of priority tourism projects. While no actual supply arrangements were concluded, capacity development activities for identified local producers have been planned to enhance their capabilities to expand production, improve quality and increase their market readiness. These capacity development efforts include: organizational strengthening, production programming, clustering and improved post-harvest handling and product packaging. The work on establishing market linkages will continue in the next quarter to ensure that the targeted firms will be able to forge supply contracts or marketing agreements. Series of meetings and consultations with potential partners, and the facilitation of actual marketing agreements will be conducted. 4. Desired Impact 3: Improved connectivity and access between urban and rural areas

Outcome Indicator 3.1.1: Time and Cost of transporting goods between CDI city and peri-urban areas reduced The project started to develop the tool that will enable the project to measure this indicator on reducing time and cost of transporting goods. Outcome Indicator 3.1.2: Number of municipal regulations and administrative procedures that have been simplified as a result of U.S. Government assistance SURGE Project’s assistance to CDI cities has led to the issuance of four executive orders during the reporting period, adding up to the four issuances from Year 1 relevant to this indicator:

Executive Order No. 142-16: An Executive Order creating the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Subcommittee in the Local Development Council (LDC) and its Secretariat relative to the development and implementation of PPP initiatives of Cagayan de Oro City and designating the members and functions thereof (Annex 1).

Executive Order No. BC 225-2016: Implementing the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) Reform Standards as per Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 Series of 2016 and Revised Set-up of Zamboanga City Business One-Stop Shops (ZCBOSS) (Annex 2).

Executive Order No. 37 Series of 2016: Creating the Enhanced Bohol Investment Promotion


Program Technical Working Committee (Annex 3).

Executive Order No. 32 Series of 2016: Providing for the Creation of Water and Sanitation Overall Management Committee; Water Systems Improvement Task Force; Ring-Fencing Technical Working Group and a Septage Management Team to improve Water and Sanitation Services in Tagbilaran City and providing for duties therefor (Annex 4).

With several activities across the Components that starts this quarter, the project anticipates an increase in the issuances for simplification of regulations and administrative procedures. These include the conduct of the following activities:

Series of workshops and meetings with 20 local stakeholders on the proposed policies, regulations, and ordinances related to sanitation and food safety of meat for adoption by producer groups or local government of Batangas City;

Series of workshops for and meetings with 20 local stakeholders on drafting of policy, regulations, and ordinances for adoption by producer groups and/or local government of Puerto Princesa City.

Outcome Indicator 3.1.3: Number of beneficiaries receiving improved transport services due to USG assistance Initial activities on transport-related activities for Year 2 include collection of relevant documents on localized traffic management as part of the assistance in the development of low-emission, clean energy and climate-resilient Transport and Traffic Management Plans for Puerto Princesa City, Tagbilaran City, and Zamboanga City. In Quarter 2, assistance will include support in the review of the feasibility study and PPP arrangement's terms and conditions on the expansion of the Laguindingan International Airport. Meetings and key informant interviews (KIIs) will also be conducted with Regional Development Council and local stakeholders. The project will also assist the Local Development Council, with private sector groups, to prepare the position paper. Coordination with JICA on the Mindanao Container Terminal for their feasibility study will also be continued.

Outcome Indicator 3.1.4: Private investment in CDI cities and adjacent peri-urban areas increased The project assisted CDI partner cities in investment promotion and in streamlining their business processes. Data on the capitalization of new business will be available in the next reporting period.

5. Desired Impact 4: Multisectoral capacity to ensure inclusive growth is strengthened Output Indicator 1.2.1: Number of laws, policies, or procedures drafted, proposed or adopted to promote gender equality at the regional, national or local level Technical assistance provided to the CDI partner cities on gender equality and social inclusion from Year 1, particularly on Gender and Development (GAD) Planning and Budgeting in Puerto Princesa City, has facilitated the approval of the almost P229 million GAD budget for 2017. The GAD plan and budget, which was approved on August 3, 2016 (Annex 5), will fund several activities that are aligned to SURGE objectives, such as the provision of gender-sensitive evacuation facilities and safe washing areas. Therefore, one approved policy that promote gender equality will be taken into account for this indicator. Aside from the facilitation of GAD Budget approval in Puerto Princesa City, the project has also


assisted Zamboanga City in the review of its GAD Code and the enhancement of its Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA). The city’s action on the proposals, including incorporation of these in the approved ELA and updated GAD Code, will be monitored. Year 2 Work Plan Activities and Outputs SURGE Year 2 work plan is composed of a total of 72 outputs, of which 63 were approved; 7 are on-hold/subject to separate approvals by USAID; and 2 outputs (for gender mainstreaming) that were merged with the other outputs are pending for approval. These outputs will be the result of 49 approved Year 2 work plan activities (Table 1). Table 1. Summary of Year 2 Work Plan Outputs

Component

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS (WORKPLAN)

Proposed Approved

On-hold/subject to separate approvals

Deleted/ Merged

Remarks

Component 1 21 21 0 0

Sub-component 1.1 13 13 0 0


Sub-component 1.3 3 3 0 0 Activities recently approved based on 4 Nov 2016 e-mail from USAID (alternate COR) to Comp 1 Lead





Sub-component 2.4 2 1 1 0 1 activity with 1 output suspended (Economic Growth Action Plan) USAID redirected this activity to include a new approach to expanding the future vision of economic development for partner cities.




Sub-component 3.3 12 11 1 0 1 activity with 1 output suspended, subject to further assessment and identification: facilitation of market linkages between commodities and buyers in new CDI cities


Cross-cutting 17 10 5 2


Component

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS (WORKPLAN)

Proposed Approved

On-hold/subject to separate approvals

Deleted/ Merged

Remarks

Task D.1 2 2 0 0

Task D.2

Task D.3 3 3 0 0

Task D.4 5 0 3 2 2 outputs (SURGE Gender Mainstreaming Policy + GESI Integration Learning Sessions per Component Areas) will be integrated in other Gender outputs that are still on hold.

Task D.5 2 0 2 0

Task D.6 5 5 0 0

TOTAL 72 63 7 2

Preliminary work has been done for most of the activities that are expected to begin in the reporting period, including the following:

the preparation of the Scopes of Work (SOWs) for the STTAs that will be hired; and

the preparation of work programs for provision of technical assistance and conduct of trainings/workshops/study tours that are part of the approved SURGE Year 2 Work Plan outputs.

A total of 27 pending reports from Year 1 were added to the Year 2 workload (Annex 6). Out of these pending reports, seven were submitted to USAID on December 23, 2016 (Table 2). Table 2. Year 1 Work Plan Outputs Submitted to USAID on Year 2 Quarter 1

Report No.

Output No.

Output Title

1 1.1.1.1.2 Assessment Report on Local Capacity towards Urban Resilience Building and Vulnerability Assessment of Six Cities [Retitled as “Assessment of the Vulnerabilities and Local Capacities of CDI Cities for Building Urban Resilience”]

2 3.1.1.1.1 Key national and local policies and regulations that commonly impede rural-urban linkages in six cities identified and analyzed, with primary focus on local policies

3.1.1.1.2 Technical Working Groups identified or organized based on identified local policy and regulatory barriers and National Policies identified by COMPETE and USAID

3 D.1.2.1 Creation of the TWG in each of the 6 cities and conduct of at least 3 meetings per city [Retitled as ”Report on the Creation of Technical Working Groups in USAID’s Cities Development Initiative (CDI) Cities”]

4 D.2.2.1 LCDC and CMCI Activities Organized

D.2.3.1 Report on technical support provided to the BPLS Oversight Committee

D.2.4.1 Activation of the Sub working Group on Local Investment Reforms

5 D.3.1.1 Urban Development Conference Organized

6 D.4.1.2 Gender Integration Validation Workshop

D.4.1.3 SURGE Staff Gender Training

7 D.4.1.5 Gender Related Technical Assistance


Remaining reports are being finalized for submission to USAID in the next quarter. Enhanced reports on 2 outputs from Year 1 were submitted to USAID: Output 1.1.1.2.1: Report on the state of urban development course offerings in local academic institutions in CDI cities and action plan to develop knowledge centers [Retitled as “Exploratory Study on the Establishment of Urban Development Learning Centers’]; and Output 1.3.3.1.1: Technical assistance provided to the cities for CLUP/CDP.


IV. Result Analysis

A. Accomplishments by Component Component 1: Improving Local Capacity in Inclusive and Resilient Urban Development The series of assessments conducted in Year 1 project implementation served as the groundwork for identifying the needs of CDI partner cities in inclusive and resilient urban development. For the quarter, the SURGE Project’s Component 1 continues to determine areas where CDI cities would benefit from technical assistance or project interventions. The project continues to determine the local capability and competency gaps for local government units (LGUs) concerned with climate-resilient urban planning and infrastructure development. Key Accomplishments for the Quarter Subcomponent 1.1: Strengthening local capacity in urban development, including the promotion of disaster reduction and preparedness and improving climate resilient land use planning and development following international best practices

Activity 2-1.1.01: Improve science-based decision-making, policy, and planning on land use, infrastructure, water and sanitation services in climate-sensitive and disaster-risk areas

The SURGE Project works with partner cities to improve the coordination and institutional mechanisms in mainstreaming climate change scenarios in local development planning and decision-making. In December 2016, the SURGE Project finalized the workshop design for the following activities: (1) vulnerability assessment and workshops on Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan/Local Climate Change Action Plan (LDRRMP/LCCAP) for the cities of Batangas, Puerto Princesa, and Tagbilaran; (2) workshops on greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and GHG management planning; and (3) low-emission transport management planning workshop.

Activity 2-1.1.02: Develop and implement local climate change adaptation and mitigation projects

As SURGE Project prepares to assist new CDI cities in developing a greenhouse gas (GHG) management plans, it participated in the USAID B-LEADERS GHG inventory workshop held on November 14-16, 2016 in Tagbilaran City. The GHG management plans will be customized to local systems and processes for land-use and infrastructure planning. Since the project also aims to provide technical assistance on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) planning in CDI cities, particularly in Tagbilaran City and Batangas City, it has interfaced with Build Change Project, an international non-profit social enterprise that works with communities to improve resilience against earthquakes and typhoons. Build Change Project’s main activities include conducting training on the design and construction of safe buildings for homeowners and the private sector. It also provides knowledge and skills on


principles of disaster-resistant construction. These training activities are also meant to enhance the awareness of the people on quality building materials to meet the construction standards and reduce environmental impacts.

Information that can be used for retrofitting houses and schools which was developed by the Build Change Project can be shared to CDI partner cities as references for implementing their DRRM plans. Along with disaster preparedness, management of the environment such as proper waste disposal or waste management, the SURGE Project looked into potential collaboration with USAID-funded project, the Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Program (MSWRP). The MSWRP aims to address the global problem of marine plastics pollution. It also provides grants for and technical assistance to promising municipal waste recycling efforts in Asia. Considering that most of the CDI cities are located in coastal areas, the SURGE Project is exploring ways to tap into investment opportunities in waste management offered by the MSWRP. The project particularly intends to improve solid waste management and waste disposal into the rivers and waterways to mitigate flooding and inundation.

Activity 2-1.1.03: Conduct capacity-building of stakeholders in mainstreaming socially inclusive and gender responsive DRR-CCA to local development planning including water and sanitation services

SURGE Project has facilitated a move to assess and amend or update the CDP that is reflective of a new city vision. This is aligned to the perceived achievement of the Iloilo City’s vision to be a premier city in 2015 and meeting the predetermined sets of indicators, In October 2016, the project assisted Iloilo City in defining and locating the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) in the context of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) as key planning documents to guide the development and growth of the city based on the latest DILG memo on local planning. The CDP has to be aligned and consistent with these developments including the updated CDP Illustrative Guide issued recently by the DILG.

SURGE explores work with regional non-profit organization Build Change Project in Tagbilaran City

The SURGE Project and the non-profit organization Build Change Project are exploring the possibility to collaborate on disaster-resilient construction methods to build safer buildings and houses in Tagbilaran City. Build Change has been working with communities and individuals in building resilient houses and schools through a pre-disaster retrofit program to promote safe construction practices and adherence to building standards. In 2013, Tagbilaran City was badly hit by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake. The SURGE Project and Build Change Project are scheduled to meet with Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap during the SURGE-organized workshop on the formulation of a local climate change action plan on January 30, 2017.

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SURGE Project also adheres to the new guidebooks from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), just after the approval of Iloilo City’s CLUP. The guidebooks have introduced new guidelines that require LGU planning documents to be updated, particularly in applying the watershed ecosystems approach and mainstreaming climate change and disaster risks into the CLUP. Subcomponent 1.2: Improving local climate-resilient infrastructure planning, financing and implementation

Activity 2-1.2.01 Utilization of geographical information system (GIS) in low-emission climate adaptation programming in CDI cities

The project aims to improve the GIS systems to develop base maps that will be used in climate-resilient land-use planning and infrastructure planning activities. Most of the activities, however, will start in the next quarter.

Activity 2-1.3.01 Climate-resilient land-use and infrastructure planning in CDI cities’ identified priority areas

The project will select priority investment programs in the development and updating of the cities’ Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP) and Annual Investment Plan (AIP) as articulated in their CLUP and CDP. Most of the activities, however, start in the next quarter. Subcomponent 1.3: Increasing access to sustainable water supply and sanitation services

Activity 2-1.3.02: Improve the capacity of Water Districts/ Water Service Providers/ Water Utilities for sustainable water and sanitation services in CDI cities

The project completed water assessments in the CDI cities of Batangas, Tagbilaran, and Puerto Princesa. The assessments showed that groundwater is one of the most important sources for Batangas City. Since groundwater is susceptible to pollutants, it is monitored closely by the barangay/rural water and sanitation associations. In Tagbilaran City, saltwater intrusion and the instability of groundwater remain a challenge, given the lack of other water sources. Puerto Princesa City, on the other hand, relies on water rationing due to the problem of water shortage, exacerbated by extreme weather events.

The assessment recommended that septage management, as mandated by the Clean Water Act, should be implemented in the three cities mentioned earlier. Other recommendations are: (1) assistance to the city and the water districts (WDs), water service providers (WSPs) in determining the vulnerability of the water and sanitation sector to climate/ disaster risks; (2) improvement of water management in Tagbilaran City, including improving financial management, non-revenue water (NRW) assessment, capacity-building training, and learning exchanges and mentoring.

In line with the water management in Tagbilaran, the project conducted a Ring-Fencing and Business Planning and Training Workshop in Tagbilaran City on December 7 to 9, 2016 to revisit and renew the overall direction of the Tagbilaran City Waterworks Office (TCWO). Participated in by 94 (46 women, 48 men) key city officials and staff in charge of water and sanitation services, including the city councilors, the workshop focused on the review and reconstruction of financial documents.


The workshop aimed to orient and train the participants on the basics of water utility improvement tools, focusing on ring fencing and business planning, and guide them in preparing a plan that the city government can use in the implementation of the corresponding reforms for systems and procedures. As a result, the participants were able to develop a business plan. After the workshop, Tagbilaran City issued Executive Order No. 32, Series of 2016, dated December 16, 2016, “Providing for the Creation of Water and Sanitation Overall Management Committee; Water Systems Improvement Task Force; Ring-Fencing Technical Working Group and a Septage Management Team to Improve Water and Sanitation Services in Tagbilaran City and Providing for Duties Therefor”. The executive order aims to address water and sanitation issues to improve Tagbilaran City’s water and septage management. During the quarter, the SURGE Project also facilitated the participation of water districts, water service providers and city officials in the WaterLinks International Water Forum at Dusit Thani Manila in October 2016. The forum served as a networking opportunity for city officials to explore collaborations on water operator partnerships with the Baliwag Water District, Maynilad, and Manila Water. The SURGE Project views networking and partnerships as mechanisms for better project implementation on NRW, water supply and quality, and septage management. Activity 2-1.3.03: Improve access to sanitation through technical assistance on septage management for CDI cities The SURGE Project facilitated learning visits for water districts, water service

providers, and city officials from Batangas City, Tagbilaran City, and Puerto Princesa City in November 2016. The participants (9women, 17 men) were able to broaden their knowledge about the experiences of operators of septage management facilities in Dumaguete City and Baliwag City.

Water finally a priority

“For several years our office was overwhelmed by a lot of setbacks,” admitted Engr. Peter D. Busano, OIC of the Tagbilaran City Waterworks Office (TCWO) in Tagbilaran City.

Servicing only 38.2 percent of its concessionaires in ten of the city’s 15 barangays, the TCWO is still unable to meet the average daily water demand of 6,008.47 m3. The water utility also faces challenges such as erratic water pressure, saltwater intrusion and limestone containment.

For many years, the TCWO reported these difficulties – but was unable to do anything about them. Busano lamented, “As a city department, all our funding is from the City Government. We submit our reports and requests, but it takes a long time to be processed with the bureaucracy. We have no control over our finances.”

With this challenge on water system management, the SURGE Project conducted a Ring-Fencing and Business Planning Training Workshop in December 2016 to train City Government staff how to better manage and monitor water-related services. Mayor Yap said that water is among his main priorities for the next three years, and has earmarked PhP17 million (US$340,340) to invest in upgrading the existing waterworks system.

“Thanks to USAID/SURGE, water has taken center stage and is now getting the attention it deserves,” he said. “Today, the TCWO aims to provide potable water to the city’s 15 barangays by 2030.”

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The participants were able to discuss the process of initialization, management, and operations (including financing through PPP) of a septage management system. The participants said they were encouraged to implement a septage management program under a water and sanitation policy (SMP) in their cities. Each of the cities were also able to craft an action plan to determine the critical steps toward the development of the water and sanitation policy. The participants also agreed that cities create a TWG (through an executive order and a board resolution from the water districts) that will implement septage management program. The activity provided an opportunity for the participants to start implementing the SMP and identify areas of support that the SURGE Project may provide.

Table 3. Summary of Plans and Accomplishments for Component 1

Activity Plans for Quarter 1 from Quarter 4 Performance Review

Accomplishments for Quarter 1 (October-December 2016)

Activity 2-1.1.01: Improve science-based decision-making, policy and planning on land use, infrastructure, water and sanitation services in climate-sensitive and disaster-risk areas

Complete report on the downscaled projections of climate parameters for Batangas, Tagbilaran and Puerto Princesa;

Develop training modules on CCA-DRR;

Develop a web-based public domain software tool; and

Procure map services as part of technical assistance to CDI cities in developing maps for decision-making, policy, and planning.

Continued finalizing the downscaled projections of climate information; and

Developed the program design for vulnerability assessment (VA), DRR and LCCA planning workshops for the next quarter.

Activity 2-1.1.02: Develop and implement local climate change adaptation and mitigation projects

Provide assistance to Batangas, Tagbilaran and Puerto Princesa in the preparation of their LCCAP and DRRMP; and

Conduct vulnerability assessment in the cities of Batangas, Tagbilaran and Puerto Princesa.

Developed the program design for VA, DRR and LCCA planning workshops for the next quarter;

Studied potential collaboration with USAID MSWRP for proper waste disposal or waste management;

Participated in the USAID B-LEADERS GHG inventory workshop in Tagbilaran City.

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Activity 2-1.1.03: Conduct capacity-building of stakeholders in mainstreaming socially inclusive and gender-responsive DRR-CCA to local development planning including water and sanitation services

Develop a work program for facilitating revision of the CLUP/ CDP of Tagbilaran City and Batangas City.

Continued provision of technical assistance in the updating of the CLUP/CDP of Iloilo City;

Conducted training for Zamboanga City staff in GESI mainstreaming in the ELA; and

Assisted Batangas City in sourcing out maps.

Activity 2-1.1.04: Set up Urban Development Learning Centers (UDLC)

Conduct preparatory activities for the establishment of UDLCs.

Conducted preparatory meeting for UDLC establishment in Iloilo City.

Activity 2-1.1.05: Establish baseline measurements for competitive and resilient urban development through the Urban Development Index (UDI)

Finalize and submit the report on the development of the UDI.

Continued finalization of report on the development of the UDI.

Activity 2-1.1.06: Provide assistance to NCC in activities related to the Cities and Municipalities Sustainable Competitiveness Index and Livable Cities Design Challenge (LCDC)

Finalize and submit the report on the assistance provided to NCC in 2016 CMCI activities and report on the Sustainability Indicators of the CMCI; and

Provide technical assistance to NCC and other concerned national agencies, private institutions, and CDI cities on the application of UDI for the LCDC.

Submitted a report on the assistance provided to NCC on the CMCI activity in Year 1.

Activity 2-1.2.01: Utilization of geographical information system (GIS) in low-emission climate adaptation programming in CDI cities.

Conduct/ facilitate GIS training workshops;

Provide technical assistance on developing the Terms of Reference of the contracting firm following the CDI cities’ tailored approach on the use and development of GIS tools and functionalities for climate change programs; and

Conduct studies on low-emission clean energy traffic and transport management for the cities of Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga and Tagbilaran (with Component 3).

Review the strategic guide for implementing sustainable GIS in CDI cities to identify key areas for prioritization.

Activity 2-1.2.02: Climate-resilient land-use and infrastructure planning in CDI cities’ identified priority areas

Provide technical assistance to CDI cities in enhancing the processes and mechanisms for climate resilient development and financing of clean energy and low-emission potential projects in CDI cities’ priority areas for growth.

Conducted preparatory activities for the next quarters (e.g. coaching on clean energy and on the identification and financing of potential infrastructure projects).




Activity 2-1.3.01: Improvement of water services through climate resilient local planning

Provide technical assistance in the implementation of the work program for improving the capacity of water service providers in CDI cities of Batangas, Puerto Princesa, and Tagbilaran.

Completed the assessment on water service providers in the CDI cities of Batangas, Puerto Princesa, and Tagbilaran

Supported the participation of the water districts and water service providers of the CDI cities in the WaterLinks Forum on October 6-7.

Facilitated the preparation of the business continuity plan for Tagbilaran City during the Ring-Fencing and Business Planning Workshop. CCA and DRR was mainstreamed in the plan.

Activity 2-1.3.02: Improve the capacity of Water Districts/Water Service Providers/Water Utilities for sustainable water and sanitation services in CDI cities

Conduct/facilitate capacity building activities for water districts/water service providers for improvement of the quality of water services and sanitation systems.

Facilitated USAID Mission Director’s community meeting for the pre-event activity for the Ring Fencing and Business Planning Training/Workshop on December 6 in Barangay Tiptip and Barangay Taloto in Tagbilaran City; and

Conducted the Ring-Fencing and Business Planning Workshop for the City of Tagbilaran on December 7-9, which resulted to the issuance of Executive Order No. 32 Series of 2016 that created the Water and Sanitation Overall Management Committee; Water Systems Improvement Task Force; Ring-Fencing Technical Working Group and a Septage Management Team.

Activity 2-1.3.03: Improve access to sanitation through technical assistance on septage management for CDI cities

Provide technical assistance in the implementation of septage management work plan 2017 activities of water districts/water service providers for improvement of sanitation management.

Conducted study tour for Septage Management in Dumaguete and Baliuag on November 22-25, participated in by city officials, water districts and water service providers of Batangas, Puerto Princesa, and Tagbilaran. The work plans that were drafted from the activity were presented to the participants’ respective LGUs.


Planned Activities for Next Quarter (January-March 2017)

SURGE Project and the Build Change Project will discuss with Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap the disaster-resistant construction practices as references for implementing DRR plans in the city. This is scheduled during a SURGE-organized workshop on the formulation of a local climate change action plan on January 30, 2017;

Conduct vulnerability assessments and DRRM Planning in Puerto Princesa City and

Batangas City;

Conduct vulnerability assessment and LCCAP workshop in Tagbilaran City;

Workshops on environmental management planning, and GIS application for urban

planning, environmental management and fiscal management in CDI cities;

Coaching on climate resilient land use planning and crafting an E-code in CDI cities

Review and submit the draft zoning ordinance for Zamboanga City;

Application of the UDI and the Urban Resilience Measurement Framework in at two cities.

The results will be presented to the NCC for adoption of the UDI;

Conduct clean energy coaching in Zamboanga City, and coaching on the identification and

financing of potential infrastructure projects in Cagayan de Oro City;

Facilitate workshop on the development of water plans and programs in Tagbilaran City,

Batangas City and Puerto Princesa City;

Finalize septage management plan for Batangas City and Puerto Princesa City;

Develop the work program for CLUP updating in Batangas City and Tagbilaran City; and

Conduct initial meetings in Cagayan de Oro City and Iloilo City for the setting-up of UDLC.

Component 2: Promoting Low-Emission Local Economic Development Strategies Component 2 activities will continue to focus on the following areas: (1) improve local revenue generation and expenditure management; (2) reduce the cost of business through streamlined and automated business and building and occupancy permitting processes; (3) improve land tenure security and land information management; and (4) strengthen local business development and facilitating investment to foster low emission growth. Key Accomplishments for the Quarter Subcomponent 2.1: Improve local revenue generation and expenditure management

Activity 2-2.1.01. Improve local revenue generation and expenditure management

To complete land and building inventories in the tax roll, and improve the quality of tax maps to capture updates on property transactions, SURGE Project continues to work with the City Treasurer and Assessor’s Offices. The planned activities should develop flexibility in the cities’ computer systems to accept modifications such as a general revision in the schedule of market values (SMV).

Activity 2-2.1.02 Establish a unified land information systems (ULIS) and a digital cadastral database (DCDB)

Preliminary meetings with the Cagayan de Oro City Assessor were held during the Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal (RLTA) activity in December 2016 to establish a Unified Land Information


System (ULIS) with a digital cadastral database (DCDB) in the city. The ULIS aims to consolidate all land-related information of all parcels of land in the city. The database build-up for DCDB in Iloilo City and Batangas City starts in the next quarter. The activities include: grooming of tax maps for digitization, digitizing scanned cadastral maps and tax maps using geographic information system (GIS), encoding of data from different offices, and linking of Real Property Tax (RPT) system with ULIS to reflect RPT data on DCDB.

Activity 2-2.03 Implement Public Finance Management (PFM) reforms particularly in expenditure management in CDI cities to support economic growth

The final PFM Assessment report, which assessed the financial and organizational factors affecting the financial condition of CDI cities, was submitted during the quarter. Real property and business taxes emerged as the main sources of revenues. In 2015, Batangas City, Iloilo City and Cagayan de Oro City did not depend on the internal revenue allotment (IRA) while Puerto Princesa City, Zamboanga City and Tagbilaran City were IRA-dependent. The IRA is only one of the funding sources of the LGUs. They can also levy taxes and secure grants, loans and other forms of indebtedness from local banks and financial institutions. The assessment recommended that cities exert more effort on collection strategies to generate more revenues from local sources as the bulk of city expenditures in 2015 went to general public services. It was observed that the cities were unable to spend on capital expenditures, except for Cagayan de Oro City and Puerto Princesa City. The cities were also unable to finance development projects through loans. Nevertheless, findings from the assessment indicate that most of the cities have a good PFM system. The project will focus its next activities on PMF improvement, specifically on procurement and internal audit.

Activity 2-2.1.04 Explore alternative financing sources for LGUs

SURGE Project continues to assist cities in identifying and accessing other financing sources such as loans from banks and from other government offices to accelerate their economic growth programs. During the PPP sub-committee meeting held on December 9, 2016, the septage management facility and the Oro Central were identified as possible PPP projects for Cagayan de Oro City. The project also assisted Batangas City’s LEIPO in identifying possible funding for the farm-to-market roads project. In the next quarter, the project will assist in identifying critical farm-to-market road sections, the application of funding and the development of a feasibility study.

Subcomponent 2.2 Streamline and automate local business registration and permits and licensing system (BPLS), including inspection systems, and building and occupancy permits

Activity 2-2.2.01 Streamline and automate the CDI cities’ Business Permits and Licensing Systems (BPLS)

The project supported the Business Permitting and Licensing Systems (BPLS) streamlining of Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran City, Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City to improve its investment climate. In October 2016, 44 participants from these cities have joined the BPLS study

tours in Quezon City and Valenzuela City. It was followed by a series of workshops on BPLS

streamlining.


The study tours and workshops aim to help identify reform areas, processes, challenges and issues in streamlining the BPLS and building and occupancy permitting systems. It should assist city officials in streamlining their BPLS and eventually adopting a fully-automated BPLS and Building Occupancy Permits System (BPOS).

On the business permit and processing system, CDI cities committed to undertake the following reforms: set up a business one-stop shop facility; use automation; integrate steps; come up with a centralized database; and adopt a unified application form, among others. Department heads and representatives from the national government agencies involved in BPLS and BPOS from the offices of the Business Permits and Licensing

Division, city treasurers, city administration and the

Bureau of Fire Protection also participated in the activity.

In preparation for the renewal of business permits, the BPLO in the three cities conducted dry runs, including doing joint inspection, conducted fora with business registrants, did media blitz and distributed information materials to inform the public of the reformed process. The implementation of these reforms will be assessed during the January renewal period. Meanwhile, BPLS personnel from CDI cities who joined the training on customer service skills held in Zamboanga City (in November 2016), and in Puerto Princesa City and Tagbilaran City (in December 2016) gained skills in handling different types of customers, and on how to adopt the updated systems and procedures of their streamlined BPLS in time for business renewal in January 2017.

In connection with the BPLS streamlining workshop for Zamboanga City, which involved 13 participants (4 women, 9 men) the project assisted the city by integrating gender perspectives in the BPLS. SURGE Project also reviewed the training documents that were used in the BPLS customer skills training, incorporating gender-related considerations. Discussions also focused on gender equality, women empowerment and social inclusion. On the other hand, the automation in the processing of permits does not exist in Tagbilaran City. Currently, it takes a minimum of 18 days for a building permit to be issued even though local citizens said that it takes at least 90 days to complete the process. Among the recommendations to improve the processing of business permits in Tagbilaran City are: automation, reactivating the one-stop-shops (OSS), defining the functionality and purpose of barangay clearances, and reducing unnecessary and redundant steps, among others. Resulting from the benchmarking activities and streamlining workshops conducted from August to November 2016, the formulated BPLS action plans and identified reform areas were set for implementation by all the three city governments through the issuance of Executive Orders.

Tagbilaran City Mayor Geesnell Yap issued two executive orders to support the institutionalization of efforts on BPLS: Executive Orders No. 21- 2016 on Creating the Composition of the TWG and

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the Joint Inspection Team to operationalize the Streamlining in Implementing the Standards in Processing of New and Renewal of BPLS in the City Government of Tagbilaran (Annex 7) and EO No. 22-2016 on Adopting the Standard Processes and Procedures of New and Renewal of BPLS on Sept. 21, 2016.

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, on the other hand, signed EO No. 50-2016 on Establishing the Streamlined BPLS in the city. Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco also issued EO No. BC225-2016 on implementing the BPLS Reform Standards as per JMC No. 1 S. 2016 and revised set-up of Zamboanga City Business One-Stop Shop on Nov. 7, 2016.

e-Readiness Assessment Completed

Automation of business-related permits is critical in facilitating compliance with government standards. The e-Readiness Assessment, which was completed in CDI cities in September 2016, aimed to determine the information and communications technology capacity, technology environment, and web presence maturity of the city. SURGE Project has the ultimate objective of helping the national government to implement e-Government reforms at the local level.

The e-Readiness Index Score (Figure 1) determines the speed by which a city can pursue automation. The higher the e-Readiness Index, the faster the cities can be online. The cities’ e-Readiness Index score ranged from a low of 2 (Tagbilaran City) to a high of 25 (Puerto Princesa City).

Figure 1. Summary of e-Readiness Index of CDI Cities

The following were also observed in CDI cities: (1) information and communication technology

(ICT) organizational structure is weak; (2) contracts are not consistently monitored; (3) project

management is ineffective; (4) scope is not managed; (5) vendor management is inadequate; (6)

integration among systems is not seamless; (7) post-implementation support and maintenance

are lacking; and (8) there is contention between building and buying a system.

To deliver better service to customers, it was recommended that the cities be reoriented towards

the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), a model of IT service management

practices. To improve e-Readiness, the cities should focus on ICT governance structure and its

management; and information (IT) operations, vendor management and risk management.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Zamboanga

Batangas

CDO

Tagbilaran

Iloilo

Puerto Princesa

Summary of E-Readiness Index of CDI Cities

eReadiness Index Level of Governance Level of IS Planning


Through the initiatives of Puerto Princesa City and Tagbilaran City, they upgraded and installed

ETRACS (Enhanced Tax Revenue Assessment and Collection System). They also plan to

implement automated BPLS in January 2017.

Activity 2-2.2.02 Streamline construction-related permits

An assessment was conducted in Cagayan de Oro City and Tagbilaran City in October 2016 to further streamline business permitting and improve processes in securing construction- related and occupancy permits.

Cagayan de Oro City has streamlined its building permitting process. Phase 1 has been implemented and the city is currently implementing Phase 2. With the streamlined process, the estimated processing time for building permits has gone down from 60 days to 2 to 7 days. Full automation will commence by mid-2017. A key feature of the e-Building Management System (eBPMS) is the creation of an “electronic back office” that simplifies the process for clients and increase the efficiency of the construction permitting process. Subcomponent 2.3 Improve local land tenure security and land information management

Activity 2-2.3.01. Develop a land tenure improvement strategy

In order to move forward and implement action plans for land tenure improvement to the CDI cities, a rapid land tenure assessment (RLTA) was done with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and LGU in Cagayan de Oro City in November 2016. RLTA is the process to obtain a clear picture of the land tenure situation on the ground before any titling activity is undertaken. The activity will also determine the number of possible lots to be titled in a particular area and identify the requirements for titling. With the help of key LGU officials and barangay leaders, Land Governance Innovations (LGI) conducted an RLTA orientation and workshop with prospective barangay lot claimants in Barangays Pagatpat and Tumpagon. The presentation highlighted the importance and advantages of having their lands formally titled and brought forth issues such as steps in having their lots titled, the documents needed for application, etc. The presentation was made more interesting and engaging with the use of drone technology to map the site.

“Once we get our land titles, we can hopefully make our homes more beautiful,” said Rene Sa re of the Pa tp t Hom w rs’ As n in Bara y Pa tp t, Cag n de City.

A home they can call their own

Zenaida Tambal, who is among the Typhoon Sendong (Washi) survivors in 2011 who resettled in Barangay Pagatpat, looks forward to obtaining a formal land title. “When we have the land titles to our name, we will no longer be anxious. We will own the house and the land,” said Tambal.

Like many other residents who don’t have land titles, Salindato aspires to have a sense of security and pride with a titled lot he can truly call his own. As part of USAID/SURGE’s land tenure work in Cagayan de Oro City, the project organized a Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the city government on November 23 to 24, 2016. USAID/SURGE assisted more than 500 residents of barangays Pagatpat and Tumbagon identify the land tenure status of their lots, as part of helping them in apply for titling. The activity enables the local government and the DENR to fast track the implementation of the residential free patent program.


Available maps such as consolidated cadastral maps from the DENR, other available maps from the LMS, complete barangay tax maps from the assessor’s office and GIS maps from the CPDO were also gathered as part of the exercise.

At the end of the RLTA, an initial land tenure profile from the participants was completed. Following this activity, the team will analyze the land tenure profile and lot applications from these two barangays will be facilitated.

The SURGE project has initiated work on the issuance of special patents for government lands with the inclusion of asset management of the cities’ real property. The technical assistance will introduce a new systematic approach to increase the effective use of real property, owned or operated by a local government. It will involve a comprehensive inventory of all assets and an evaluation of each property to determine the best use for a local government. Three issues emphasize in particular the need for effective asset management practices:

Due to ongoing decentralization, local governments have to provide an increasing number of services with limited financial resources.

The real property assets of local governments are often very large compared to their

annual budget revenue or expenditures. This means that revenues could be substantially improved. On the other hand, low expenditures speak of the need to increase funds for maintenance.

Local governments usually have much more freedom of choice in handling local

government assets and liabilities than they do municipal revenues. Moreover, raising local taxes and fees is a politically delicate process, while improving local finance through better management of property assets is far less demanding and risky politically.

Asset management will then address other property management issues through methodologies related to property valuation under RPT work, analysis of direct and indirect subsidies, introduction of operating statements for each property, and so on. This multidisciplinary approach to managing assets is expected to result in improving local finances, service delivery and facilitate local economic development.

Activity 2-2.3.04 Organize a Land Tenure Conference

Land tenure and property rights are seen as key to developing more competitive cities, particularly in those areas that are experiencing rapid economic growth due to the increase in new businesses, expansion of existing ones and on-going construction activities. During the quarter, SURGE Project started the preparations for the Land Tenure Conference which is scheduled for February 8-9, 2017. The conference aims to ramp up support to improved land administration and management for the economic growth of secondary cities and other urban centers in the Philippines. It will be a venue to discuss and exchange best practices in addressing constraints on land, including gender considerations. Distinguished international and local experts, practitioners, property developers, city representatives, civil society and government leaders will be invited to the conference.


Among the topics to be discussed at the conference are: Land Administration and Management and the Challenges of Urbanization, Land Sector Reforms in the Philippines, Urban Land Constraints, Asset Management for Local Government Units, Managing Commercial Pressures on Land Markets, Policy Framework for Land Administration and Management, Technology Solutions in Land Administration, Improving Access to Land Records/Information, and Gender and Social Inclusion in Property Rights. SURGE Project expects that 250 participants will attend the two-day event in Manila with private sector booths to showcase new technologies and other land tenure tools for exhibition.

Subcomponent 2.4 Strengthening local business development, facilitating investment, and support services that foster low-emission growth

Activity 2-2.4.01. Strengthen Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPOs), investment promotion centers (IPC) and business support organizations (BSOs)

The Project assisted on investment promotion to CDI cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and Tagbilaran. The project particularly assisted in strengthening their skills and implementing the basic customer service skills. The need for the cities to define focus sectors, prioritize, and have an Investment Promotions Unit solely dedicated to investment promotions was also highlighted. Executive Order No. 37 Series of 2016: Creating the Enhanced Bohol Investment Promotion Program Technical Working Committee (TWC) was signed by the tripartite partnership on December 5, 2016. The SURGE Project facilitated the series of meetings in October and November 2016 in crafting the executive order. Iloilo City’s Investment and Promotions Board will enhance its investment promotion plan, while Bohol stakeholders have organized their promotion activities under the tripartite agreement among Bohol Province, Tagbilaran City, and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce. The provincial government, city government and the private sector also committed to forge a unified strategic direction for an expanded investment promotion program for the province and the city. In Cagayan de Oro city, Promote CDO, a private sector group was expanded to Promote Northern Mindanao.

SURGE also facilitated the conceptualization and production of three investment promotion materials for Puerto Princesa City as requested by the city government. The project assisted in the re-packaging of materials for investment promotion activities in the city, such as the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission Visit (October 16-17, 2016) and the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (MIMAROPA) Investment Forum (November 7, 2016). The project also facilitated the overall production of a promotion video, in collaboration with the city’s LEIPO and the video production outfit. The city’s investment profile booklet highlighting investment potentials, including the enhancement of its design were also facilitated.

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Activity 2-2.4.02 Strengthen the city business enabling environment The assessment on the business enabling environment (BEE) in the six CDI cities was completed in November 2016. The BEE are factors in the city that promote or constrain the flow of investments such as regulatory framework, barriers to trade, and access to finance, among others. A BEE diagnostic tool was used to assess the business-enabling environment of the SURGE cities. The tool measures the following dimensions: quality of regulatory environment, institutional capacity and performance of the LGU, quality of investment climate, and effectiveness of public-private dialogue. Key informant interviews, focus group discussions, enterprise survey, and secondary research were also done. Among the BEE strengths of the cities are: a strong executive-legislative coordination; updated, relevant and holistic vision; a convergence program with the national government on infrastructure projects; and a private sector focused on attracting investors.

Based on the assessment, some of the challenges identified are the following:

outdated laws and regulations to have an enabling business environment; regulations that are not properly enforced and communicated to the public;

local economic, investment, and promotion office (LEIPO) and/or investment offices that are not institutionalized;

e-governance practices needing improvement;

weak internal communication among departments;

inter-office coordination and data sharing that need strengthening;

linkages with the Department of Trade and Industry that have to be institutionalized;

absence of a long-term economic strategy and infrastructure plan;

a poorly developed traffic management plan;

the need to strengthen the private sector, especially the business clubs and Chambers of Commerce; and

the need to enhance institutional public-private dialogue and consultations.

The following recommendations were made to support BEE in all the cities: (1) improve the quality of the regulatory environment to support a strong business enabling environment and achieve efficiency of regulatory systems and processes; (2) strengthen the institutional capacity and performance of the city government’s business support offices and service providers; (3) improve the quality of local infrastructure and activities that promote sustainable local economic competitiveness in support of investment and trade promotion; and (4) improve the quality and effectiveness of public-private sector dialogue.


Table 4. Summary of Plans and Accomplishments for Component 2

Activity Plans for Quarter 1 from Quarter 4 performance review



Provide technical assistance (TA) in “cleansing” property information to capture “real” gaps in the cities’ collection efforts. Without this, reported collection efficiencies reflect earlier/ past year’s due taxes and discounts and not the current year’s collectibles against actual collections.

Conducted preparatory activities for the next quarters.

Activity 2-2.1.02: Establish a Unified Land Information Systems (ULIS) and a digital cadastral database (DCDB)

Consolidate all land-related information of all parcels of land within a local government unit (LGU) through the establishment of a Unified Land Information System (ULIS) and Digital cadastral Database (DCDB).

Conducted preliminary meetings with the Cagayan de Oro City Assessor during the Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal (RLTA) activity in December 2016 to establish a ULIS with a DCDB.

Activity 2-2.1.03: Implement Public Finance Management (PFM) reforms particularly in expenditure management in CDI cities to support economic growth

Implement PFM reforms in the cities particularly on procurement and internal audit.

Conducted preparations for activities for next quarter; and

Reviewed Zamboanga City’s PFMAT results for 2013-2014, and identified areas of improvement. The cities of Tagbilaran and Zamboanga submitted proposals.


Provide technical assistance to identify and access financing options aside from own source revenues and develop a capital investment plan to improve infrastructure investments.

Prepared SOWs and advertised positions for PFM and Capital Investment planning;

Provided initial assistance to Batangas City LEIPO on November 11 in identifying possible sources of funding for Farm to Market Roads of the City; and

Discussed during the Cagayan de Oro PPP Subcommittee Meeting on December 9 two possible PPP projects: Septage Management Facility and Oro Central.



Organize study visits to Valenzuela City and Quezon City;

Conduct streamlining workshops, customer relations and inspections training to the non-INVEST cities to ensure compliance with the new standards under JMC 1.

Finalized E-Readiness Report from Year 1. Implementation of automation activities to be coordinated with GIS work;

Supported the CDI cities in preparation for the regular business renewals in January 2017 in line with the streamlined BPLS process (e.g. dry-runs, simulations, public presentation on the process flow of the business registration);

Conducted study tours and streamlining workshops on BPLS for Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro;

Conducted Customer Service Skills Training for BPLS Frontliners to strengthen public service excellence

o Zamboanga – November 16 o Puerto Princesa – December 5-6 o Tagbilaran – December 19

Puerto Princesa and Tagbilaran updated their e-tracs and automated their BPLS system.

In-house IT specialist assisted Tagbilaran City in setting up their IT system.

Activity 2-2.2.02: Streamline construction-related permits

Conduct assessment on construction-related permits.

Conducted assessment of construction and occupancy permitting in Cagayan de Oro and Tagbilaran in October 2016; and

Assessments of other cities were moved to Year 2.

Activity 2-2.2.03: Rationalize barangay-level fees and charges and process in business and construction permitting

Recommend measures to streamline procedures and standardize fees for securing barangay clearances.

Prepared SOW and advertised position. Review of applicants and proposal from Capitol Colleges on-going.


Address key constraints to systematic titling in CDI cities.

Conducted RLTA in Cagayan de Oro and established Local Adjudication Team on November 21-24. Mapping with drone and result presented to prospective applicants.

Activity 2-2.3.02: Issue special patents for government lands

Do a complete inventory of government lands, assist LGUs in applying for special patents and provide training and mentoring on asset management.

Included topic in Land Conference; prepared SOW and advertised position for asset management specialist.


Activity 2-2.3.03: Implement a land title adjudication process

Assist the CDI cities in creating titling teams and training adjudicators.

Presented the Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal Results and Pre-System Adjudication Team Composition in Cagayan de Oro on December 13-15. Met with city mayor to secure support.

Activity 2-2.3.04: Organize a Land Tenure Conference

Conduct Land Tenure Conference in Year 2.

Prepared for the Conference on Sustainable Land Governance, on February 8-9 e.g., determined activities and topics, invite speakers and participants, did logistical requirements, etc.


Identify proposals, measures and activities to strengthen the LEIPO, IPC, Negosyo Centers and local business groups in the CDI cities on investment promotion, retention and expansion to be implemented in CDI cities in year 2 .

Finalized BEE assessment report from Year 1;

Conducted investment promotion workshops in Iloilo, Tagbilaran and Cagayan de Oro cities resulting in a tripartite agreement among Bohol province, Tagbilaran city and Bohol Chamber to unify promotion efforts under One Bohol Enhanced Investment Promotion and the expansion of Promote CDO into Promote Northern Mindanao;

Provided assistance on the participation of Metro Batangas Business Club (MBBC) and in the Independent Business Organization Conference on December 5 in Iloilo City, the design and production of promotion materials and collaterals for Tagbilaran and Puerto Princesa; and

Assisted Puerto Princesa City in the Investment Forum for BIMP-EAGA and MIMAROPA.

Activity 2-2.4.02: Prepare an Economic Growth Plan for all CDI Cities

Activity on hold. Activity on hold.


Organize a learning event on land tenure to discuss and exchange best practice

approaches in addressing constraints in land administration and management with the sustainable utilization of the environment;

Evaluate barangay fees and charges in Cagayan de Oro City to streamline procedures for securing clearances and standardize fees;

Assist the cities of Puerto Princesa, Batangas, Zamboanga develop their City Information System Strategic Plan (ISSP);

Assist Puerto Princesa City and Zamboanga City strengthen the LEIPO, BOSS, and IPC and Chamber;


Assist the city executives of Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa, and Batangas to organize a capital investment planning committee to identify an existing group to undertake systematic capital investment planning approach to local investments; and

Conduct Tax Compliance Study in Cagayan de Oro City and Puerto Princesa City. The study will complete land and building inventories in the tax roll and improve the quality of tax maps to capture updates on property transactions.

Component 3: Expanding Economic Connectivity and Access between Urban and Rural Areas Component 3 has two overarching objectives: to reduce connectivity costs and to improve economic access between rural and urban areas. Achievement of these objectives will support the overall efforts of CDI partner cities to promote investments, generate growth, and enhance sustainability. For this quarter, the focus was on the continuous needed preparatory activities to: (1) reduce policy and regulatory barriers to productive urban-rural linkages; (2) reduce connectivity and information costs that inhibit flows of goods and services; (3) strengthen supply chain linkages; and (4) develop metropolitan arrangements that improve coordination and exchanges between cities and adjacent rural areas. Key Accomplishments for the Quarter Subcomponent 3.1: Reduce policy and regulatory barriers to productive rural‐urban linkages

Activity 2-3.1.01 Work with stakeholders in Batangas City and concerned national government agencies to strengthen policies related to competitiveness of local meat products

The project met with the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines on November 29, 2016 to discuss possible collaboration. The project also obtained relevant information on quarantine and meat processing guidelines from the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Activity 2-3.1.02 Work with local stakeholders and national government agencies to support the enactment of local ordinances that promote good practices in sustainable mariculture, catch, and processing of priority commodities

The project started gathering and consolidating data from various government agencies to get updated information relevant to these two policy issues. Information gathered included existing local regulations on fishery and aquaculture production in Palawan, including the proposed mariculture sites from the Palawan Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Based on the initial information gathered, there are a number of existing national and local regulations aiming to promote sustainable aquaculture and fishery production in Palawan, which need consistent and effective implementation by concerned parties such as local government units and national government agencies. These regulations will be discussed during the consultative meetings with local stakeholders planned in the next quarter.


Subcomponent 3.2: Reduce connectivity and information costs that inhibit flows of goods and services

Activity 2-3.2.01 Identify priority urban-rural connectivity gaps focusing on infrastructure, transport, communications and logistics in new CDI cities

Planned activities were deferred pending the selection of the new CDI partner cities. Activity 2-3.2.02 Assist the city in reviewing the feasibility study and PPP terms and conditions on the expansion of the Laguindingan International Airport

SURGE Project met with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and obtained the new timetable for the implementation of the Laguindingan Airport Expansion Project. The Laguindingan Airport Project, however, will be unbundled from the original grouping of projects and will bid it out separately, according to the DOTr. The DOTr also suggested to involve local stakeholders, particularly the city government of Cagayan de Oro and the Regional Development Council (RDC) to fast track project implementation. In the second quarter, the project will gather local stakeholders to help draft a position paper that will reflect their inputs and suggestions. This process will make the implementation of the airport expansion project more transparent.

Activity 2-3.2.03 Assist the city in reviewing the expansion project plan of the Mindanao Container Terminal and determine most appropriate financial modalities

It was learned from PHIVIDEC that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has funded the feasibility study for the planned port expansion project. Planned SURGE technical assistance to PHIVIDEC will depend on the findings of the JICA feasibility study. The project is still awaiting updates from PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PIA), the agency overseeing the operations of the Mindanao Container Terminal, on the agency’s port expansion plans.

Activity 2-3.2.04 Train and assist the cities in the development of low-emission, clean energy and climate-resilient Transport and Traffic Management Plans for the cities of Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga

In preparation for the Transport and Traffic Management Planning Training, the project gathered reference documents on localized traffic management and collated specific inputs from the city program coordinators. Based on these information, the project will hire a transport and traffic management specialist who will draft the preliminary training design for the CDI partner cities. Subcomponent 3.3: Strengthen supply chain linkages between urban and rural areas SURGE Project hired a short-term marketing specialist to explore and facilitate supply linkages between local producers and buyers of selected commodities such as vegetables in Tagbilaran City, darag native chicken in Iloilo City, cassava in Batangas City and cashew in Puerto Princesa City. Capacity development activities for identified local producers were planned to enhance their capabilities to expand production, improve quality and increase their market readiness. These capacity development efforts include: organizational strengthening, production programming, clustering and improved post-harvest handling and product packaging.


The project also identified several private companies and groups to arrange supply linkages for selected agricultural and aquaculture commodities in CDI partner cities. During the initial meetings, most of the private groups expressed their support the project’s various supply linkage efforts involving producer groups from a number of CDI partner cities. The project continues to integrate gender perspectives in value chain analysis, diagnostic tools and in the development of supplier enterprise profile tool to assess urban and rural connectivity. The SURGE Project, for instance, met with representatives of the Philippine Commission on Women’s GREAT Women Project to explore areas on how women entrepreneurs in CDI cities collaborate with the existing initiatives on product development and market linkaging.

In the next quarter, SURGE Project will focus on providing market linkage assistance to local producers of cassava, vegetables, seaweed, native (darag) chicken and marinated rabbitfish (lamayo) and on exploring and/or initiating purchase agreements with key private companies. The project will continue to meet with potential private buyers and national government agencies that can help in forging linkages.

Activity 2-3.3.01 Marketing and processing of cassava as animal feed ingredients for Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Zamboanga City

To link cassava producers with institutional buyers, the project met with San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI) on November 18, 2016. SMFI is the country’s biggest buyer of cassava which operates a chain of feed mills in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The company agreed in principle to purchase cassava chips from interested local producers for the company’s feed mills in the cities of Batangas, Iloilo, Cebu and Zamboanga. In the next quarter, the project will coordinate with concerned city and provincial Agriculture Offices to identify interested local cassava producers. The project will also facilitate the meetings with SMFI regional representatives to discuss marketing agreements of the supply linkage.

Activity 2-3.3.02 Establish a Seaweed Network in Puerto Princesa City

SURGE Project explored possible partnership with the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP) to support the thriving seaweed industry in Palawan, including Puerto Princesa City and the Zamboanga Peninsula. The SIAP is the national organization of seaweed and carrageenan processors and exporters. It accounts for the bulk of the country’s exports. The SIAP President expressed to support the project’s various seaweed value chain improvement efforts by encouraging its member-processors to consider sourcing raw materials from producers in CDI partner cities. On the other hand, the American Chamber of Commerce expressed its interest to collaborate with the project in linking agriculture and aquaculture producers in CDI partner cities to selected AmCham member-companies for the supply of various commodities, including seaweed. Aside from seaweed, the initial list of commodities to be explored include poultry, fruits and commercial crops.

Activity 2-3.3.03 Facilitate market linkages between tourism establishments and vegetable producers in Iloilo, Tagbilaran City and Bohol


The project and the City Agriculture Offices of Tagbilaran and Iloilo met with potential producer groups in Bohol and Iloilo to determine their production capabilities, assess their market readiness and plan activities to improve their capacity to supply institutional buyers. These groups are the Bohol Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities Cooperatives, Panay Organic Producers Association, and the Creative Community Foundation. In the next quarter, the SURGE Project will assess the vegetable demand requirements of key buyers such as the Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants and Resorts and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The assessment will include their procurement plans and schedules.

Activity 2-3.3.04 Facilitate market linkages between darag chicken producers in Iloilo City and institutional buyers

As recommended by the agriculture value chain assessment report conducted in Year 1, the project met with representatives from the academe, particularly the Western Visayas State University (WVSU), to discuss potential market linkages between darag chicken producers and prospective buyers. Although there are no established groups of darag producers, WVSU plans to convene producers and other stakeholders and organize an inter-agency working committee to support the development of the darag chicken industry. The Iloilo Hotel Restaurants and Resorts Association, Iloilo Conventions and Visitors Bureau and several local supermarkets and a consolidator (Efpratah Farm) supplying various products to local outlets were identified as prospective buyers.

Activity 2-3.3.05 Facilitate market linkages between cashew and lamayo producers in Puerto Princesa City and institutional buyers

To assess their production capabilities, including the drafting of action plans, to enhance their market readiness, the project met with local cashew producers such as the Puerto Princesa Agri Producers Marketing Association, Langogan Rural Improvement Club, Agrivatek Corp. and Specialty Food Craft. These action plans were developed in partnership with government agencies such as the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Science and Technology (DOST).

In Puerto Princesa City, the project also integrated gender considerations in identifying priority value chain products and in selecting the list of potential partners. This information is critical in enhancing decision-making process for identifying various opportunities or constraints for both men and women. The meeting with the board members of the Philippine Food Exporters Association (Philfoodex) held in December 2016 opened opportunities for possible partnership in supply linkages for various agriculture and aqua-culture commodities. A follow-up meeting is scheduled in January 2017 to present specific products and prospective suppliers from CDI partner cities.

Activity 2-3.3.06 Establish traceability system for vegetable trading in Cagayan de Oro City

While the project was able to gather relevant reference documents during the quarter, the technical assistance to customize existing traceability system for vegetables for market access to higher-end market will be done in the next quarter.


Activity 2-3.3.07 Assist the city in developing the business and operations plan of the Puerto Princesa City Agri-Pinoy Trading Center

The Memorandum of Agreement for funding of the proposed trading center between the Department of Agriculture and Puerto Princesa City is being worked out. The project initially met with the Cardinal Agri Group on December 14, 2016 to discuss possible supply linkages for coconuts and other commodities for producers in Puerto Princesa City. Cardinal Agri is setting up an integrated coconut processing plant in Southern Palawan and is interested to purchase coconuts from local producers.

Activity 2-3.3.08 Facilitate business planning for Agri-Aqua Processing Center in Iloilo City

While there are no significant activities done this quarter pending identification of site for the processing center by local stakeholders including LGU, the project will assist in the development of a business plan for the Agri-Aqua Processing Center in Iloilo City in the next quarter.

Activity 2-3.3.09 Improve standards of the Tagbilaran City Slaughterhouse

Upon the request of the Tagbilaran city government, the project consolidated the results of the technical and pre-feasibility studies on the rehabilitation of the Tagbilaran Slaughterhouse into one comprehensive study. The comprehensive study recommended options for the city government to implement the project.

The proposed project will entail the upgrading of the existing facility into the National Meat Inspection Service’s (NMIS) AA standards by improving facilities and equipment, streamlining of operations and implementing needed environmental mitigating measures either by the city government or through a partnership with the private sector. The estimated cost of rehabilitation is at least Php 4 million. The four options for project implementation, which were subjected to a series of financial sensitivity analysis, include: Option A: Status Quo – Upgrading of the existing slaughterhouse using LGU’s funds with

streamlined operations to be handled by city government. Option B: Consolidation and LGU Operation – Upgrading and consolidation of the Tagbilaran

slaughterhouse operations along with three other public slaughterhouses in the neighboring towns of Maribojoc, Antequera and Loboc using city government funds with subsequent consolidated operations to be handled by the city government.

Option C: Limited Partnership with Private Operator – Upgrading and consolidation of the Tagbilaran slaughterhouse operations and the three other slaughterhouses with the city government funding the rehabilitation and subsequently turning over consolidated operations to a private operator.

Option D: Full Partnership with Private Operator – Upgrading and consolidation of Tagbilaran slaughterhouse operations and the three other slaughterhouses with a private operator financing the rehabilitation and subsequently operating the facility.


Along with the comprehensive study and conforming to Philippine environmental laws, the project also conducted an environmental screening for the planned slaughterhouse rehabilitation project to identify critical environmental issues and their corresponding mitigating measures. The screening process assessed the existing operations and planned activities in the slaughterhouse and their potential impact on the environment using USAID’s updated environmental guidelines and the Philippine government’s environmental impact regulations.

Some of the important findings of the environmental screening process include:

Existing Land Use - The location of the slaughterhouse is currently zoned as agri-industrial. However, there has been heavy influx of residential communities in the vicinity of the project site. The city needs to revisit the existing zoning regulations of the project site and its neighboring areas to resolve future land use issues.

Solid Waste Management – The existing slaughterhouse operations generate a considerable amount of residual wastes such as offal, animal hairs and nails, etc. which need to be disposed of safely and properly through specialized containers and/or designated disposal or dumping sites.

Possible Water Pollution – The water quality of the nearby Manga River might be affected in case of wastewater or effluent run-off from slaughterhouse operations. A wastewater treatment facility needs to be established as part of the slaughterhouse upgrading project.

Possible Groundwater Contamination – Surface pollutants and effluents may potentially contaminate groundwater sources, hence, effective drainage systems must be installed along with the wastewater treatment facility.

The Project’s Environmental Specialist is finalizing the Environmental Screening Report for submission to USAID by early January. The Specialist has also prepared an Environmental Performance Review and Management Plan to help the city government obtain an environmental compliance certificate needed in project implementation.

Activity 2-3.3.10 Facilitate market linkages between commodities and buyers in new CDI cities

Specific activities to facilitate market linkages between commodities and buyers were deferred pending selection of new CDI cities.

Activity 2-3.3.11 Organize a Heritage Symposium and develop Tourism Strategy and Action Plans for Puerto Princesa City and Tagbilaran City

The SURGE Project team held a series of meetings with the USAID/COMPETE Project team currently working in Tagbilaran City and Puerto Princesa City on the status of tourism-related interventions in the cities and to plan the transition of activities between the two projects. The Project will continue to collaborate with COMPETE Project for the conduct of Heritage Tourism Symposia in Tagbilaran City and Puerto Princesa City. The project will also initiate heritage tourism follow-through activities in Tagbilaran City.

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In the next quarter, the project will also assist the two cities in developing action plans to implement priority tourism projects such as identification of new tourism sites, development of support infrastructure, marketing and promotion, and capacity building of local tourism offices.

Subcomponent 3.4: Develop metropolitan arrangements that improve coordination and exchanges between cities and adjacent rural areas

Activity 2-3.4.01 Support the Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council (PITEC) in economic development planning for Tagbilaran City and the municipalities of Panglao and Dauis

The Provincial Council of Bohol drafted an ordinance for the formal establishment of the Panglao Island – Tagbilaran Economic Council (PITEC). The ordinance has been set for final reading and is expected to be approved by January 2017. The ordinance will institutionalize the creation of the inter-LGU cooperation arrangement among the towns of Dauis and Panglao, the provincial government and the city government of Tagbilaran. To support the operationalization of PITEC, SURGE Project will facilitate in the next quarter the visioning and strategic economic development planning workshop for the preparation of PITEC’s Strategic Economic Development Plan. The workshop will enable stakeholders to define specific areas of collaboration, identify priority projects and activities, designate working staff, and draw up strategies to raise funds for the council. Table 5. Summary of Plans and Accomplishments for Component 3

Activity Plans for Quarter 1 from Quarter 4

performance review Accomplishments for Quarter 1

(October-December 2016)

Activity 2-3.1.01: Work with stakeholders in Batangas City and concerned national government agencies to strengthen policies related to competitiveness of local meat products

Identified as a priority concern among Batangas local meat industry in the Agriculture Value Chain Assessment and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted meeting with American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines on 29 Nov 16 to discuss possible collaborations. SURGE and AmCham will meet again on January 2017; and

Obtained relevant information on quarantine and meat processing guidelines from Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Bohol council approves ordinance creating PITEC

On November 25, 2016, the Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) approved on the third and final reading of the Provincial Ordinance 2016-15, amending the Panglao Island Executive Council (PIEC) to include Tagbilaran City, thereby creating the Panglao Island – Tagbilaran Executive Council (PITEC). PITEC is composed of the local governments of the province of Bohol, the city of Tagbilaran and the municipalities of Panglao and Dauis, which will all be providing resources to support PITEC activities. PITEC will enable the local governments to collaboratively manage the impacts of the construction and operationalization of the New Bohol Airport in Panglao Island which is expected to be completed in 2018. With assistance from the SURGE Project, PITEC stakeholders will organize a visioning and strategic planning exercise to define the council’s mission, vision, and organizational structure. SURGE will help formulate an over-all framework for collaboration and partnership.


Activity 2-3.1.02: Work with local stakeholders and national government agencies to support the enactment of local ordinances that promote good practices in sustainable mariculture, catch, and processing of priority commodities

Identified as a priority concern among Puerto Princesa City aquaculture and fisherfolk in the Agriculture Value Chain Assessment and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Obtained relevant information on existing aquaculture and fishery regulations in Palawan from the Philippine Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Activity 2-3.2.01: Identify priority urban-rural connectivity gaps on infrastructure, transport, communication , and logistics in new CDI cities

New activity to be undertaken upon selection of new CDI cities

Conducted preparatory activities for next quarter. This is dependent on new CDI cities.

Activity 2-3.2.02: Assist the city in reviewing the feasibility study and PPP arrangement’s terms and conditions on the expansion of the Laguindingan International Airport

Identified as a priority issue in the infrastructure and logistics connectivity assessment and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted preparatory activities for next quarter. Obtained latest update on airport project implementation plans from DOTR. Coordinated with Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on joint advocacy to accelerate project implementation.

Activity 2-3.2.03: Assist the city in reviewing the expansion project plan of the Mindanao Container Terminal and determine most appropriate financial modalities

Identified as a priority concern in the infrastructure and connectivity assessment and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Gathered information regarding Phividec's expansion plans for the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT);

Thru CPC, coordinated with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) re: updates the JICA-funded Feasibility Study for the MCT; and

Activity 2-3.2.04: Train and assist the cities in the development of low-emission, clean energy and climate-resilient Transport and Traffic Management Plans for Puerto Princesa City, Tagbilaran City, and Zamboanga City

Identified as a priority issue among all CDI cities in the logistics connectivity assessment and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Gathered reference documents on localized traffic management.


Activity 2-3.3.01: Marketing and processing of cassava as animal feed ingredients for Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Zamboanga City

Cassava identified as an important commodity in several CDI cities the Agriculture Value Chain Assessment, included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted meeting with San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) on November 18 to discuss cassava supply linkages in Batangas, CDO and Zamboanga. SMFI interested to purchase cassava chips/granules from SURGE-assisted producers for their feed mills in Batangas, Iloilo and Cebu based on prevailing market prices and product specifications.

Activity 2-3.3.02: Establish a Seaweed Network in Puerto Princesa City

Seaweed identified as an important commodity in the Agriculture Value Chain Assessment particularly in Puerto Princesa and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Gathered reference documents on localized traffic management.

Activity 2-3.3.03: Facilitate market linkages between tourism establishments and vegetable producers in Iloilo City, Tagbilaran City and Bohol Province

Vegetable identified as an important commodity in the Agriculture Value Chain in several CDI cities and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Identified prospective buyers and vegetable growers in Tagbilaran, which were later assessed.

Activity 2-3.3.04: Facilitate market linkages between darag chicken producers in Iloilo and institutional buyers

Darag chicken identified as a promising commodity in the Agriculture Value Chain Assessment in Iloilo and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted initial meetings between darag chicken producers and buyer. It was observed that producers need to consolidate and program production to meet buyer's requirement. The need to improve R&D on darag chicken to improve breeding for commercial-scale operation.

Activity 2-3.3.05: Facilitate market linkages between cashew and lamayo producers in Puerto Princesa and institutional buyers

Identified as important agriculture and aquaculture value chain assessments in Puerto Princesa City and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted meeting with Board members of the Philippine Food Exporters Association (Philfoodex) to present the SURGE Project and discuss possible areas of partnership with Philfoodex particularly in supply linkages with Philfoodex member-companies for various agriculture and aquaculture commodities.

Activity 2-3.3.06: Establish traceability system for vegetable trading in Cagayan de Oro City

Identified as a major issue in the Agriculture Value Chain Assessment in CDO and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted preparatory activities for next quarter.


Activity 2-3.3.07: Assist the city in developing the business and operations plan of the Puerto Princesa City Agri-Pinoy Trading Center

Identified as important project in the Agriculture Value Chain Assessment and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted meeting with Cardinal Agri Group on December 14 to discuss possible supply linkages for coconuts and other agri commodities for producers in Puerto Princesa and environs. Cardinal Agri is setting up an integrated coconut processing plant in Southern Palawan and interested to purchase coconuts from local producers. Cardinal Agri will participate in planning for Puerto Princesa Agri Trading Center.

Activity 2-3.3.08: Facilitate business planning for Agri-Aqua Processing Center in Iloilo City

Identified as a major concern in the Aquaculture Value Chain Assessment and included as part of Year 2 work plan

Conducted preparatory activities for next quarter.

Activity 2-3.3.09: Improve standards of the Tagbilaran City Slaughterhouse

Comprehensive study drafted. Drafted final comprehensive study on the Tagbilaran City Slaughterhouse.

Activity 2-3.3.10: Facilitate market linkages between commodities and buyers in new CDI cities

Activity on hold pending selection of new CDI cities.

Activity on hold.


Conduct a workshop and series of meetings with 20 local stakeholders on proposed policies,

regulations and ordinances related to sanitation and food safety of meat;

Organize consultative meetings with local stakeholders such as city government, the

regional development council and private sector, and assist in formulating the position paper

on the PPP arrangement’s terms and conditions regarding the expansion of the

Laguindingan Airport;

Organize training on traffic management for local government officers in CDI cities, and

assist in formulating traffic management plans for selected cities;

Monitor updates on the JICA-supported feasibility study for the Mindanao Container

Terminal, and plan appropriate technical assistance;

Provide market linkage assistance to local producers of cassava, vegetables, seaweed,

native chicken and marinated rabbit fish and initiate purchase agreements with private firms

in CDI cities;

Assist in developing a viable Traceability System for vegetables for market access to higher-

end market, including the preparation of the Environmental Screening Report;

Develop the business plan for the Agri-Aqua Processing Center in Iloilo City;

Submit the Comprehensive Study of the Tagbilaran City Slaughterhouse to USAID;

Support the conduct of Conduct Heritage Symposium, including needed follow-through

activities, and conduct tourism planning and workshops in Tagbilaran City and Puerto

Princesa City;


Facilitate the visioning and strategic economic development planning workshop for the

preparation of PITEC’s strategic economic development plan

Cross-cutting Areas

During the first quarter of Year 2, SURGE Project implemented activities that cut across various components. Crosscutting activities from October to December 2016 focused on the formal creation of the SURGE Technical Working Group in Batangas City and on the selection of new cities. The project also continued to implement its strategy of integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into SURGE activities. Communication and information strategies were also implemented at the national and city levels to support the achievement of the overall project goal and work plan activities.

A. Set-up Institutional Mechanisms for SURGE Implementation Assist in preparing the necessary issuances for the creation of a SURGE Technical Working Group (TWG) in Batangas City and new CDI cities The project assisted Batangas City mayor’s office in the preparation of the executive order that will create the SURGE TWG. Batangas City Mayor Beverly Dimacuha formally signed on November 24, 2016 Executive Order No.36 or the “Creation of the City Technical Working Group (CTWG) and the Sub-Working Committees on Urban Management and Land Use Planning (SCUMLUP), Low Emission Local development (SCLELD) and Urban-Rural Connectivity (SCURC) for the City of Batangas to implement the Project, Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)” (Annex 8). The EO established the city TWG and sub-working committees, stating their roles and functions in providing full city support in the implementation of the SURGE Project. Once the new CDI partner cities have been identified in the early part of Year 2, the SURGE Project will assist in the preparation of new executive orders for the establishment of a SURGE Technical Working Group.

B. Other Urban Development Initiatives Conduct National Conferences Aside from the planned Land Tenure Conference to increase awareness of the need to reform land administration and management for the economic growth, the project began initial preparations for the Youth Forum scheduled for April 2017. A team composed of project assistants and technical writers was organized to conceptualize the design and mechanics of the Youth Forum focusing on urban development trends including CCA and DRR, low emission economic growth, water and sanitation, urban-rural connectivity and social inclusion. The Youth Forum will involve youth representatives from the CDI partner cities and representatives from selected universities and academic institutions. Hence, one of the major activities identified for the forum include coordination with the universities in the CDI partner cities for a city-wide competition to encourage the youth to share their ideas and vision of their future cities.


The project will also firm up the design and contest mechanics and continue preparing activities for the Youth Forum. This activity is being coordinated with the National Youth Commission and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Assist USAID in selection of new CDI cities SURGE Project assisted USAID in the selection of new CDI partner cities. The project formulated the framework, criteria for the selection of CDI partner cities and organized scoping missions in eight potential cities: General Santos, Butuan, Legaspi, Tacloban, Ormoc, Baguio, Olongapo and Angeles. From the eight cities, USAID has initially selected General Santos City and Legaspi City. Once all the new CDI cities have been identified, the project will conduct the following: (1) organize a Needs Assessment Workshop/Stakeholders Forum; (2) facilitate the MOU signing; and (3) establish a SURGE office within the local government and hire coordinators for the new cities.

C. Gender For the first quarter of Year 2, the SURGE Project continues to articulate its strategy of integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into the SURGE Project activities to achieve inclusive and resilient economic growth, thereby adhering to the gender policies of USAID and the Philippine Government.

Development of the GESI Integration Tools During the quarter, the project reviewed and enhanced the GESI integration strategy into SURGE Project components or areas through the development of a GESI Toolkit.

The GESI integration tools will be mainstreamed in urban development, promoting local economic development and expanding connectivity between urban centers and peri-urban areas. The project discussed the proposed layout and activities of the GESI Toolkit with USAID in December 2016, where it was agreed that the GESI integration tools will focus on supporting strategic activities starting in the second quarter of Year 2:

Convene a consultation session that will bring together key stakeholders (city GFPS, CSO/academe, private sector, and the City Project Coordinators) to discuss the principles and approach in integrating GESI in SURGE, with the help of GESI tools;

Conduct learning sessions with component teams and their STTAs to draw up the most effective and efficient way of integrating GESI in their activities, inputs and outputs;

Facilitate action-research that will include developing GESI diagnostic and planning tools with CDI cities and training key stakeholders in applying these tools; and

Document experiences of CDI cities and conduct a learning session in the application of certain tools and GESI results associated with specific SURGE activities.

Gender Integration by Components As a crosscutting theme, gender is integrated in the activities of the SURGE Project by identifying and addressing gender-related gaps in the project implementation. For each component, the project integrated GESI as follows:


Component 1: Mainstreaming GESI in the Executive-Legislative Agenda of Zamboanga City;

Component 2: GESI inputs during the BPLS workshop for Zamboanga City and technical review of BPLS customer skills training documents; and

Component 3: GESI inputs and mentorship for the Agri-Marketing Specialist, technical review of the enterprise tool, and exploration of possible collaborations with the GREAT Women Project of the Philippine Commission on Women.

During the quarter, the project also assisted in promoting gender equality in policies, planning and procedures in Puerto Princesa City and Zamboanga City. In particular, the project’s capacity development assistance helped in the approval of Puerto Princesa City’s 2017 Gender and Development (GAD) budget. The budget supports key project activities in DRR, CCA, and water and sanitation. In Zamboanga City, the project assisted in the enhancement of the city’s GAD Code (Ordinance 412 - 2013) and the Amended GAD Code (Ordinance 450 - 2016). Gender Analysis of SURGE Training and Study Tours

The SURGE Project has always emphasized the importance of gender balance representation in activities. In the training and study tours conducted during the quarter, the actual participation of men and women is influenced by activities being linked to certain job positions. This was most evident in the gender composition of study tours, which were designed specifically for certain offices that were often headed by men (Annex 9). In the study tour on water and sanitation, for instance, city government staff of Batangas City, Puerto Princesa City and Tagbilaran City, who joined the activity came from the engineering, health, planning and environment offices. Most of the participants in the study tour are men (17 men, 9 women). Meanwhile, frontline staff involved in BPLS transactions included relatively more women. The workshop on GESI mainstreaming in Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) also drew more women than men (33 women, 23 men), primarily because any activity related to ‘gender’ is perceived as ‘for women’ and the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GADFPS) members or their representatives are women. The high representation of women in the latter two activities compensated for women’s low representation in the other activities, resulting in a balanced participation of women and men in the 10 project-supported activities during the quarter. During the reporting quarter, two activities led to an increased awareness of the need to generate sex-disaggregated data in areas other than attendance in SURGE activities. During the BPLS workshop, the participants identified the absence of ‘sex’ information in the input form, the need to provide GESI considerations in the proposed physical arrangements, and the need to reach out to more women engaged in start-up businesses in relation with the BPLS process. The training in mainstreaming GESI in ELA, on the other hand, elicited support for establishing baseline information through the development of a GAD database.

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Planned Activities for Next Quarter (January – March 2017)

Review GESI inputs or tools used and convert these into at least three easy-to-follow tools (GESI integration in CLUP and ELA, and value chain analysis);

Identify and develop other tools needed to strengthen GESI integration in the CCA-DRR training manual, and analysis of water and sanitation demand; capture and utilization of sex-disaggregated BPLS data; and gender-responsive value chain analysis, with women economic leadership inputs;

Facilitate a panel on GESI at the Land Conference scheduled in February 2017;

Continue to provide gender inputs in selected training or technical assistance activities of components in CDI cities;

Facilitate a learning session with component teams and their STTAs for GESI integration in their activities; and

Conduct of a consultation session for key stakeholders to discuss the principles and approach in integrating GESI in SURGE using the GESI tools; and conduct a learning session with the component teams.

D. Communication and Information Strategies

SURGE Project’s major accomplishments for the quarter in terms of implementing its communication and information strategies include: (1) the publication of the monthly CDI Newsletter; (2) production of investment promotion materials for Puerto Princesa City; (3) promotion of SURGE and USAID activities through news stories and social media posts; and (4) production of information materials about the project and the CDI partner cities. Published CDI Newsletters During the quarter, the SURGE Project published two issues of the CDI Newsletter (see link here http://surge.org.ph/cdi-newsletter) for the months of August and September 2016. The newsletters showcased USAID activities in CDI partner cities through SURGE and other USAID-funded projects (Figure 2). From October to December 2016, the newsletters had 473 readers and were accessed 1,394 times. Most of the website visits/readers, with a total of 400 or 47 percent, were from the Philippines. It was followed by 147 visits/readers or 17 percent from the United States and 144 visits/readers or 17 percent from Russia. More than half or 73 percent of the website visits in the Philippines came from Metro Manila followed by readers in Cebu City and Davao City. Among the CDI partner cities, Cagayan de Oro had the most readership, with 2 percent of total website visits.

Figure 2. Location of CDI Newsletter Readers in the Philippines

http://surge.org.ph/cdi-newsletter


Supported Investment Promotion Activities SURGE facilitated the conceptualization and production of three investment promotion materials for Puerto Princesa City. This is in response to the request of the City Government for the re-packaging of materials for investment promotion activities in the city, such as the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission Visit (October 16-17, 2016) and the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (MIMAROPA) Investment Forum (November 7, 2016).

While tourism is the main driver of economic growth in Puerto Princesa City, other investment opportunities include agriculture, fishery, forestry, and information and communication technology. Hence, the SURGE Project, in collaboration with the City Government through the LEIPO and the business sector, conceptualized and produced investment promotion materials highlighting investment potentials in the different sectors, including the promotion of environmental-friendly businesses. The project also facilitated the overall production of the video, working closely with the city’s LEIPO and the video production outfit. SURGE Project also updated the city’s investment profile booklet by highlighting investment potentials in the city and enhancing its design (Figure 3). A new peacock logo was also created by SURGE with tagline “Heart of the Best Island in the World”, to encourage brand retention across all

investment promotion efforts of the city. SURGE also provided communication support to the MIMAROPA Investment Forum by designing the look and feel of the forum.

Promoted SURGE activities SURGE was also able to increase its external reach through the publication of 56 news stories and social media posts (Annex 10) generated from the project, the LGUs and press releases from CDI partner cities. The project also submitted a total of 9 bullet stories to USAID for the Manila Environment Weekly Update. A total of 13 news bits describing activities in the six cities were also produced during the period, as part of its internal information dissemination to USAID and ICMA. By end of December 2016, the USAID/SURGE Project (@USAID_SURGE) twitter account accumulated 141 followers and published 550 tweets. Similar to the CDI Newsletter readers, most of the twitter followers are located in the Philippines (60 percent), followed by the U.S. (21 percent) and United Kingdom (6 percent). During this period, the SURGE twitter account earned 69 link clicks, 97 retweets and 126 likes, with most link clicks, retweets and likes gained from stories on the BPLS study tour to Valenzuela City, Habitat III and World Cities Day. The USAID Facebook fan page also featured 9 posts of SURGE activities. SURGE participated in USAID’s World Cities Day digital campaign in October by providing pictograms posted in the USAID Philippines Facebook fan page.

Figure 3. Logo for the Investment Promotion of Puerto Princesa City


The project participated in the Mindanao Development Authority Briefing on USAID Programs on December 8, 2016 in Davao City, and the MIMAROPA Investment Forum in Puerto Princesa City using its SURGE animation and infographics to promote USAID and its work in CDI partner cities. The project also facilitated the visits of United States Foreign Assistance Resources Director Hari Sastry on October 14, 2016 and USAID Mission Director Susan Brems on December 6, 2016 in Tagbilaran City.

Planned Activities for Next Quarter (January – March 2017)

Provide communication support to Land Tenure Conference;

Provide communication support to SURGE events such as stakeholders’ forums and MOU signing for new CDI cities;

Draft success stories;

Facilitate the launch of a multi-stakeholder communication campaign in selected CDI cities;

Continue communication support in the development of investment promotion materials of Tagbilaran City; and

Participate in global observance of World Water Day, Earth Day and International Women’s Day through social media and city-based activities.


B. Accomplishments by City

1. BATANGAS CITY Highlights of accomplishments In the first quarter of Year 2, Batangas City Mayor Beverley Rose Dimacuha signed (on November 21, 2016) Executive Order No.36 or the “Creation of the City Technical Working Group (CTWG) and the Sub-Working Committees on Urban Management and Land Use Planning (SCUMLUP), Low Emission Local development (SCLELD) and Urban-Rural Connectivity (SCURC) for the City of Batangas to implement the Project, Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).” The TWG will be tapped to support the project and to better coordinate project implementation activities in Batangas City. The SURGE Project and the Local Economic Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO) also developed a survey questionnaire to be included in the city’s database and profiling of vegetable production. This is done to organize a reliable information in production capacity and volume from the farmers. The Business Enabling Environment (BEE) Assessment conducted in October 2016, on the other hand, aimed to improve the business climate in Batangas City. The business sector hailed the city for its new streamlined business permitting and licensing system which generated the increase of registered business establishments. There is, however, a need to strengthen and streamline the processes in the Building Permit and Occupancy One- Stop-Shop (BPOSS). Other project activities conducted in the quarter include: networking opportunity with national government agencies for the LEIPO and CPDO; helping the Metro Batangas Business Club (MBBC) apply for membership at the Provincial Development Council; and facilitated the meetings for the Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Project (MWRP) along with USAID. a. Institutional Support for Project Implementation

The formal establishment of the TWG in Batangas City paved the way for smooth project implementation in Batangas City. The SURGE Project has been working closely with the members of the TWG Batangas City even during the initial stage of project implementation. The city has been collaborating with the project on further enhancement of the streamlined BPLS that was introduced by the USAID-INVEST Project. This include series of preparatory activity meetings for the 2017 business renewal, particularly the physical arrangements, logistics and simulation of business renewal processes using the computerized system.

“We are thankful to the SURGE Project for helping us set up our Building Permit and Occupancy One Stop Shop. With the knowledge and skills we learned from the trainings provided by SURGE, we will be able to tremendously cut down the number of days, steps and face-to-face interaction with our clients.”

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b. Assessments Conducted

The project and the LEIPO developed a survey questionnaire for the Batangas City Vegetable Growers Association (BCVGA) in order to establish a database and profiling of vegetable production in the city. The Office of the City Veterinary and Agricultural Services (OCVAS) discussed in a meeting on October 10, 2016 the significance of data generated to improve marketability and pricing of farm products. At least 10 male farmers and 3 female farmers joined the activity. A product profile sheet was also developed to gather information for existing processed foods in the city. Presently, the product profiling is being tested for pakaskas, a natural sweetener made from nipa.

To improve the business climate in Batangas City, a BEE Assessment was conducted on October 10 to 14, 2016. The business sector commended the city in streamlining its business permitting processing and licensing system. There is, however, a need to strengthen and streamline the processes in the Building Permit and Occupancy One-Stop-Shop (BPOSS). The city government should also develop an information campaign, particularly on incentives, regulations and new developments in the city. The assessment report, which is yet to be finalized, will become the basis to further improve the business processes in Batangas City.

The SURGE Project facilitated a series of workshop in November and December 2016 in streamlining construction-related permits in the city. Ditas Rivera, head of the city’s BPLO, said the workshops paved the way for the first gathering of the BPOSS where they discussed and agreed on streamlining the business permit requirements and workflow. All concerned offices agreed to the following: (1) forms in securing permits must be unified and it should be explained to the client prior to submission of documents to avoid repetitive and unnecessary face to face interaction with the city; (2) a one-time issuance of findings on the submitted documents and payment of city imposed fees; (3) posting of lists of practicing professionals in relation to building construction in Batangas City; and (4) identification of provisions in local ordinances and national government issuances that are in conflict so that these may be informed to and reconsidered. While the workflow is heavily regulated by the Building and Fire Codes, the BPOSS team said they will work towards a more efficient manual system and will resume with the workshops after the business renewal period in February 2017. LEIPO, through the assistance of the SURGE Project, will consolidate the discussions and will devise the unification of the forms and requirements. The activity was attended by seven males and 11 females from the city, national government agencies and the project. c. Capacity Development

The capacity development approach to the partners is usually through a mentoring approach as project partners are more at ease and collaborate well at the city level.

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For instance, the drafting of the MBBC’s position paper during the National Conference of Independent Business Organizations in Iloilo City in November 2016 were discussed through an iterative process together with its members. It includes re-evaluation of moratorium on land conversion, implementation of regional infrastructure plan, and protecting the environment through the establishment of sewage treatment plants. The project also facilitated the city’s preparatory activities, including the attendance of the city’s Safety Joint Inspection Team (SJIT) in the Information, Communication and Technology Forum held on October 27, 2016 at Hotel Sofitel Manila. The team is responsible for the inspection processes dealing with safety after permits have been issued to businesses. At the forum, which gathered more than 200 delegates from various sector from Luzon, the Safety JIT commended the continuous assistance provided by the SURGE Project. The SURGE Project also assisted city staff to participate in a number of networking opportunity with national government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA). In October 28, 2016, Alexander Madrigal, regional director of DOST met with the city’s LEIPO to identify possible collaboration on the use of software for carpooling, human resource management, water quality laboratory, and the food innovation facility located at the Batangas State University. The application for membership of the MBBC at the Provincial Development Council (PDC) was also facilitated. This is an opportunity for the MBBC to influence provincial decisions once they are an accredited member of the PDC. One of the interests of MBBC is to decongest the traffic along the Bauan-Mabini-San Pascual-Batangas City corridor which affects the big industries located near the area. d. Synergies with other USAID Projects

Visit of USAID officials. SURGE Project facilitated the visit of the representatives of the Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Project (MWRP) along with USAID on December 7, 2016. The team was composed of representatives from USAID Washington, Hillary Marshal and Darren Manning and MWRP Chief of Party Henri Disselkoen. They met with City Mayor Beverley Rose A. Dimacuha, Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Victor Reginald A. Dimacuha, Supervising Environmental Management Specialist Maria Cristina Sunguad and Raphaelo Villavicencio of Mother Earth Foundation to discuss the on-going solid waste management programs of the city and some possible project partnership with Batangas City.

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2. CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Highlights of accomplishments The SURGE Project assisted in the introduction of payment through debit or credit card for the online business registration starting January 2017. In this quarter, series of meetings was held to identify and address issues on the new and streamlined business permitting and licensing system, including the approval of authority for the city mayor to sign the Memorandum of Agreement between the city and the Development Bank of the Philippines. The project also helped in the preparation of issuance of land titles in 2017 to the communities that were affected by the 2011 Typhoon Sendong and to the rural farmers in barangays Pagatpat and Tumpagon, respectively. The SURGE Project formed a local team and trained them on Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal. The team, composed of representatives from the city government and from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is responsible for the selection of recipient barangays.

Cagayan de Oro City, in collaboration with the SURGE Project, was able to submit to the Department of Agriculture (DA) a Php 150 million project proposal for the development of an agricultural enterprises zone that would provide livelihood opportunities for 2011 Typhoon Sendong survivors and the rural farmers. The proposal includes an agricultural research laboratory, a processing and marketing center, and a pilot small farmers’ reservoir (SFR) which is a climate adaptation project. The proposal will be endorsed to the Korea International Cooperation for Agency (KOICA) for funding.

a. Institutional Support for Project Implementation The TWG conducted its quarterly meeting on November 23, 2016. At the meeting, the LEIPO assured to improve the city’s competitiveness ranking in the CMCI, particularly the transparency in business transactions within the city. The SURGE Project Year 1 Annual Report, assessments conducted in the city and the project’s Year 2 Work Plan were also discussed. The city council’s approval of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) as a regular department was announced in the meeting. During the quarter, the city council approved the city’s Php1.8 million supplemental budget for 2016 and the Php5.7 million budget for 2017. The SURGE Project has been instrumental in the

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approval of the budget as it continuously assists the LEIPO in crafting its results framework, functions, structure and budget. In September 2016, the SURGE Project assisted in the drafting of Executive Order 142 -16 on the creation of a public-private partnership (PPP) local sub-committee responsible in the selection and prioritization of potential projects, including the guide in the phases of project development. The city mayor signed the executive order on November 14, 2016. A preliminary meeting was also held on December 9, 2016 wherein the local sub-committee identified and addressed issues regarding the proposed projects on septage management and the construction of a public school that can be turned into an evacuation center. b. Assessments Conducted SURGE conducted the assessment of the BEE on October 24-28, 2016. The assessment provides an evaluation of the local investment promotion office, determines where assistance is needed, and recommends niche technical assistance. It covered the city’s state of competitiveness, policies, government and private institutions, infrastructure and services. While the city was deemed with ‘high maturity” in the areas of quality of regulatory environment and effectiveness of public-private dialogue, there were more BEE parameters considered of emerging maturity. Hence, there is a need to “further guidance to ensure sustainability and institutionalization of reforms and programs”. These would be valuable guide in the planning sessions of the LEIPO and Trade and Investment Promotion Center (TIPC) in 2017. c. Capacity Development The project organized two focus group (FGD) discussions in December 2016 to discuss updates on the city’s Information System Strategic Plan (ISSP) which was formulated in 2013 under the

USAID Invest Project. The FGDs identified the current needs of each unit, particularly the skills enhancement of its staff as pointed out in the GIS assessment that SURGE conducted in Year 1. On Jan.16-20, 2017, SURGE will conduct a workshop on GIS applications for urban planning, environmental management and fiscal management. The IT Coordinator and CPDO GIS/Project Development Division have existing GIS capability and will be tapped to do further coaching.

“Through USAID/SURGE, the public-private partnership initiative that started with an orientation with stakeholders has progressed to a PPP committee through an Executive Order. We have already started taking up specific projects to be covered, such as the septage facility and the Oro Central, which is a school-cum-evacuation center. Issues and concerns have been taken up and this will pave the way to start project implementation in 2017.”

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“We are currently updating the ISSP with a three-year plan, with the assistance of USAID through SURGE. The updates include incorporating GIS and adding information systems for each department. The BPLS study tour organized by SURGE gave us ideas on what information systems to include in the plan and how to strategically implement them.”

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d. Synergies with other USAID Projects

B-LEADERS. The SURGE Project facilitated the meeting for Cagayan de Oro City mayor’s office and USAID’s B-LEADERS team led by Marian Cruz Navata and the Deputy Chief of Party and Mindanao Development Authority’s head for area concerns management. The team requested the formation of a team that will be trained in January 2017 under the B-LEADERS for the city’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.

The B-LEADERS team also joined the SURGE Technical Working Group meeting wherein they introduced the activities of the B-LEADERS Project, particularly the GHG management planning in the SURGE Year 2 work plan. The SURGE Project drafted the Executive Order on the creation of the GHG Management Committee, EO 165 -16, signed on December 27, 2016 (Annex 11). This committee was tasked to coordinate both the GHG inventory and the succeeding GHG management planning beginning in the first quarter of 2017.

3. ILOILO CITY Highlights of accomplishments The SURGE Project played an important role in updating Iloilo City’s CDP and CLUP to mainstream CCA-DRR. Series of consultations with the government, academe, and the private sectors led to the crafting of the city’s new vision, which is Iloilo City: A Premiere SMART City of Excellence. The new vision was approved by the Local Development Council (LDC) in November 2016. Executive orders on the reconstitution of the LDC and the organization of the CDP planning teams were also issued to amend the plans. The project and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) also agreed to collaborate to establish the Urban Development Learning Center. SURGE Project and the Central Philippine University (CPU) assisted the Iloilo City BPLS Oversight Committee and the Technical Working Group in firming up its BPLS plans. Inspired by series of meeting conducted by SURGE Project with the farmers’ groups and entrepreneurs, a weekend market called Mercado de Iloilo was launched in December 2016.

Iloilo City sets new vision

Six years after Iloilo City launched its vision statement “A premiere City by 2015,” the city government’s efforts to improve its economic dynamism and growth was recognized with various awards that includes the Most Livable City Award in 2015. To sustain Iloilo’s development, the local government updated its city plan by crafting a new vision and mission statement. The city government included the private sector and other stakeholders in visualizing the future of Iloilo City. “After all, the engine of the economic growth is the private sector and they should be consulted,” said Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. Representatives from the local business community crafted the new city vision statement during a visioning exercise organized by the SURGE Project in September 2016. Considering the city’s past successes and future challenges, the private sector envisioned Iloilo city as a premier S.M.A.R.T. (Service, Manufacturing/Agribusiness, Arts and Culture, Research and Technology; Tourism) city. City Planning and Development Officer Jose Roni Penalosa and City Mayor Mabilog presented the proposed vision statements to the Local Development Council. In December 2016, more than 100 members of the council unanimously approved the new city vision: Iloilo City is a premier S.M.A.R.T. city of excellence.


a. Institutional Support for Project Implementation SURGE Project tapped the academic sector and private sector to further leverage efforts and resources in the city. In the first quarter of Year 2, the SURGE Project encouraged the support of two universities to assist the city in improving its urban development plans and in the continuous enhancement of its BPLS. The efforts are institutionalized through the issuance of executive orders and the approval of the LDC. In addition to faculty members of local academic universities, the project generated support from faculty members of the Asian Institute of Management and the Ateneo de Manila School of Government. They are willing to provide technical assistance and training to the city for free. Inspired by series of meetings conducted by SURGE Project with the farmers’ groups and entrepreneurs, a weekend market called Mercado de Iloilo was launched in December 2016. The event, attended by the city mayor and the undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, aimed to assist farmers and entrepreneurs expand their markets and explore other marketing agreements, particularly on organic vegetables and products. b. Assessments Conducted The Assessment of Networks and Alliances, such as the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) and the Northern Iloilo Alliance for Development (NIACDEV) was conducted within the quarter. Based on the assessment, MIGEDC should look into the emerging concerns such as disaster management as rapid urbanization occurs in Iloilo City that can be a threat to food security. On the other hand, Iloilo City can work with NIACDEV on several aspects including economic, environment and tourism. The Value Chain Analysis on Agriculture prepared in Year 1, guided the facilitation of market linkages in the city. The project facilitated market linkages between darag (native chicken) and vegetable producers and buyers in Iloilo City. The business groups and producers met on October 8 to 20, 2016 to discuss on how to further boost production capabilities, develop integrated marketing campaign to promote darag and vegetables, and their capacity to be linked to the market. c. Capacity development of CDP and CLUP Within the quarter, the SURGE Project facilitated the Training on Updating the CDP and CLUP organized by the CPDO and participated in by the members of the newly formed CDP Planning Group. The SURGE Project and the UPV agreed in principle to collaborate on the establishment of an Urban Development Learning Center in the city. The UDLC focused on economic growth, urban planning development, implementation, and monitoring of programs and projects that are competitive, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

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In Iloilo City, one of its major activities will be the design and conduct of a review program for urban planners who will take the licensure examination in June 2017. The project assisted in enhancing the city’s BPLS. Series of consultation were conducted to review the city’s action plans and monitor implementation for the smooth implementation of the new streamlined BPLS for 2017 business registration. A weekend market called Mercado de Iloilo was launched in December 2016 by a church-based organization in partnership with the city government. The SURGE Project was instrumental in the establishment of the weekend market through series of meetings with the farmers’ groups and local entrepreneurs conducted in Year 1. The weekend market aimed to assist farmers and entrepreneurs expand their markets and explore other marketing agreements, specifically on organic vegetables and products. This was supported by the city government, Department of Agriculture and farmers’ organizations.


USAID Be Secure Project. The SURGE Project participated in the USAID’s Be Secure Project’s Presentation entitled: “Recommendations for the Amendment and Updating of the Iloilo CLUP and Zoning ordinance” on November 24, 2016. This is a step toward BESECURE and SURGE’s joint effort in mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in the city plans. The CPDO scheduled a separate workshop in 2017 to include additional information from the SURGE Project and Be Secure Project in updating the city’s CDP and CLUP.

USAID Health Governance Project. The SURGE Project, a member of the Department of Health Region VI Implementing Partners group, participated in the presentation of the USAID Health Governance Project’s Health Reform Study. This was also participated by other USAID project partners: Visayas Health and International Care Ministries.

SURGE empowers urban planners in secondary cities

Dolly Zoluaga is in a dilemma. She needs to be a licensed environment planner before she can be appointed as the Assistant Department Head of the Iloilo City Planning and Development Office. While she has years of experience as a city officer, she was unsure whether she would pass the environment planner licensure examination or not. Zoluaga is one of many city planners from USAID’s Cities Development Initiative partner cities. SURGE has been improving the capacities of city planners through a series of learning activities. She participated in a SURGE capacity building activity in April 2016 that served as review for the licensure exam in June that same year. With her determination, Zoluaga was among the three Iloilo City Government planners who passed the exam, which had a 54% nationwide passing rate. As the new Assistant Department Head, Zoluaga oversees the improvement of city plans. With the support of SURGE, Zoluaga and her team of planners organized a training for the City Planning Technical Working Group in October 2016. This enabled her team to identify the needed improvements in the city’s major development plans. SURGE will continue to enhance the skills and knowledge of future planners with the establishment of an Urban Development Learning Center.


4. PUERTO PRINCESA CITY

Highlights of accomplishments Puerto Princesa City held major events promoting the city as an investment hub highlighting its tourism, agri-fishery and environment sectors. The SURGE Project assisted the Palawan Provincial Government and the Puerto Princesa City Chamber of Commerce and Industry in hosting the Mindoro-Marindue-Rombon-Palawan (MiMaRoPa) Investment Conference. The project assited the city government in hosting the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Business Conference and the meeting with the Fil-Am Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The project specifically involved in the planning and the development of investment promotion materials, which include a video and brochures development. It is hope that through this assistance, there will be a potential increase of the city’s investment, particularly in tourism. Along with the investment promotion, the city established the Streamlined BPLS and the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) in time for the renewal of business permits and licenses to be implemented in January 2017. The city’s streamlined BPLS was officially launched during the MiMaRoPa Investment Conference. The project also held preparatory activities with project partners on the implementation of the Year 2 Annual Work Plan activities. On the other hand, the Puerto Princesa City Chamber of Commerce and Industry have requested the assistance of the SURGE Project in its re-organization plan. a. Institutional Support for Project Implementation Project partners were consulted on the proposed plan implementation of the Year 2 Annual Work Plan, including the enhancement in the approach and methodologies for implementation and the counterpart cost. The implementation plan for the Year 2 work plan will be presented to the SURGE TWG in January 2017. b. Capacity Development During the quarter, the SURGE Project focused on enhancing the capacities of the staff of the city government and Puerto Princesa City Water District on the good practices in water and sanitation through their participation in the Water Links Forum and the benchmarking activity on Septage Management. As a result of this, the participants were able to develop action plans that leads to the implementation of the city’s Septage Management Project. The action plan includes the creation of a TWG, the formulation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the City Ordinance on Septage Management, the forging of MOA between the City Government and the

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Puerto Princesa City Water District and the establishment of the Septage Management Facility. The City passed Ordinance No. 737- An Ordinance establishing a Septage Management Program in the city. The Ordinance includes the creation of a Septage Management Council (Annex 12). To prepare the city in the implementation of the Streamlined BPLS, the project has conducted a training on Customer Service for the staff of BPLO, City Treasurer’s Office,

Bureau of Fire of the Philippines, Social Security System, PhilHealth and Home Development Mutual Fund. Series of meetings were also held among the concerned city departments and national government agencies in the enhancement of the system and the institutional arrangements for the streamlined BPLS implementation. This includes adopting the three step process, delineation of roles and responsibilities of departments and agencies involved. In the process, the city government collaborated with the national government agencies such as the: Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth Insurance, Home Development and Mutual Fund (HDMF) and the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP). Puerto Princesa City’s Business Permit Licensing Division and other national government agencies also conducted a forum with the business sector on the proposed streamlined process. More than 400 business establishments were able to join the forum. Most of the participants aired their eagerness to cooperate with the new streamlined BPLS system. The Joint Inspection team (JIT), on the other hand, was assisted in the development of its system and processes. The team has conducted massive inspection activities to enforce the business regulations and standards, as well as prepare the business establishments on the renewal of their business licenses. The regular inspection resulted in the increasing number of business establishments registered, while non-compliance or unregistered business establishments were served with closure notices. The SURGE Project also helped the Puerto Princesa City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI) for its re-organization plan. The re-organization is in time for the Chamber’s Strategic Planning Workshop in January 2017. The series of scaling-up GAD capacity development activities in 2016 facilitated the approval of almost Php229 million GAD budget of the city for 2017. The GAD budget supports key SURGE Project Component 1 activities in DRR, CCA, and water and sanitation. The city allocated Php54 million for the construction of a Community-Based Women and Child Disaster Evacuation Management Center, and for the following operations costs: (1) provision of gender-sensitive facilities and safe washing areas; (2) procurement of collapsible breastfeeding tents; (3) temporary and permanent toilet facilities/amenities; and (4) ensure availability of safe water.

“We thank USAID/SURGE for the opportunity to learn from advanced septage management facilities. The study tour is very timely as we are about to implement our own septage management facility. Our learning experience will help us develop plans to successfully provide sanitation services.” e ,

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c. Synergies with other USAID Projects

Visits of USAID officials. The SURGE Project coordinated the visit of USAID Officials to Puerto Princesa City and Provincial Government of Palawan, including the site visits for USAID COMPETE projects and launching of the Streamlined BPLS during the MiMaRoPa Investment Conference.

USAID E-PESO Project. The MiMaRoPa Investment Conference, which was coordinated by the SURGE Project, highlighted the Memorandum of Agreement Signing on Cash Card and e-payment facilities between the city government and the Land Bank of the Philippines as facilitated by the USAID E-PESO Project.

USAID COMPETE Project. The SURGE Project and the COMPETE Project jointly organized a meeting to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the Cultural Heritage Project for the Provincial Government of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City. For 2017, the City Government has allocated around Php12million for the project and an ordinance establishing the Cultural Heritage of the City was also passed. The city also passed an Ordinance creating the Puerto Princesa City Heritage District and its governing body (Annex 13). The Ordinance includes the establishment of Puerto Princesa Heritage District Administration and the Puerto Princesa Heritage District Advisory Board. These mechanisms composed of representatives from local, national government agencies, private sector and the civil society organizations.

5. TAGBILARAN CITY

Highlights of Accomplishments During the quarter, GHG inventory to mainstream socially-inclusive and the gender responsive

disaster risk reduction-climate change adaptation (DRR-CCA) local development planning and

local climate change action plans were conducted. Activities for improvement of water and

sanitation started the ring-fencing and business planning for water systems and capacity

development for septage management.

Series of trainings were also done for the BPLS- TWG and Joint Inspection Team (JIT) to prepare

for business registration in January 2017 and joint inspection of registered businesses in February

2017. The provincial governor signed an executive order to pursue an enhanced investment

promotions program for Tagbilaran City and Bohol Province under the tripartite partnership for

investment promotions.

The comprehensive study for the City Slaughterhouse Project was completed with the conduct of

environmental assessment and preparation of the technical report. Tagbilaran City has requested

the assistance of the SURGE Project in April 2016 in the conduct of a comprehensive study to

assess the feasibility of upgrading the Tagbilaran City Slaughterhouse’s current National Meat

Inspection Service (NMIS) back to its former Double A (AA) classification. The deteriorating

slaughterhouse was initially managed by the private sector and then passed on to the present

administration.


The Provincial Sanggunian Panlalawigan, on the other hand, passed the ordinance creating the Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council (PITEC), which is awaiting signatures by the SP. The PITEC is vital in the construction of the new airport and overseeing sustainable development activities or projects considering environmental issues, tourism development, economic planning, among other concerns. a. Institutional Support for Project Implementation

During the quarter, series of meetings on water systems and sanitation were held with the city

mayor, provincial government and local stakeholders. A community meeting with more than 20

local water service users, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap and USAID’s Mission

Director Susan Brems was held to generate feedback and comments on the water services of the

city.

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Workshop was also conducted with city partners

for the improvement of the operations of the

Tagbilaran City Waterworks System (TCWS). The

project assisted in the crafting and issuance of

Executive Order No. 32 for the creation of the

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Committee, Water Systems Improvement Task

Force; Ring-Fencing Technical Working Group and

Septage Management Team to improve water and

sanitation services in Tagbilaran City. In January

2017, a meeting for the formal creation of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office

(CENRO) the Sanggunian Panlungsod chair for water, health and sanitation was held to support

the ordinance.

The project assisted the city in the preparation of project proposal and activity designs for the

implementation of Expanded Tax Revenue Assessment and Collection Systems (eTRACS) which

generated a commitment from the city government of about Php420, 000.00 to fund the trainings.

Series of eTRACS trainings were facilitated for the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office

(BPLO), City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) and the City Accountant’s Office (CAccO), held in

Tagbilaran City and in Cebu City.

In order to avail of system updates and other future trainings, the project also assisted in the

registration of the city government with the eTRACS developer, the Rameses, Inc. On the other

hand, SURGE Project facilitated series of meetings with the BPLS-TWG and the JIT discussing

the revised and streamlined BPLS process and the joint inspection process. The formulation of a

simplified BPLS and Joint Inspection Manual will be completed in mid-2017. In line with this, the

project also provided the information and education campaign (IEC) on the streamlined and

“It is amazing how many activities have been implemented within a year. Thank you, SURGE Project for making all these economic governance reforms possible.”

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y le is ion in


automated business registration process and trained BPLS frontliners on customer service

excellence skills.

Almost 400 businesses participated in the

Business Forum on the streamlined and

automated business registration process.

The participants expressed their appreciation

and eagerness to comply with the new and

streamline business processing system.

The executive order to create the Technical

Working Committee of the Enhanced Bohol

Investment Promotions Program (eBIPP)

was signed by the tripartite partnership on December 5, 2016. The SURGE Project facilitated the

series of meetings in October and November 2016 in crafting the executive order. The working

committee is tasked to study, define and propose the respective roles of the partners and the

operational framework of the program.

The participants to the Investment

Counseling Seminar held on November 29,

2016 were able to broaden their knowledge

and enhance their capacity to provide

investor assistance in starting a business.

The SURGE Project facilitated the seminar

sponsored by the Board of Investments for

Tagbilaran City to provide skills, knowledge

and confidence in rendering advice to

prospective investors.

Another important activity during the quarter

is the completion of the technical report on

the comprehensive study of the city’s

slaughterhouse project. The environmental

impact assessment of the slaughterhouse

ensures its environmental sustainability and

that it complies with environmental

standards.

Series of meetings were held for the crafting

of the provincial ordinance for the

establishment of the PITEC.

“SURGE helped empower and capacitate Tagbilaran City. The private sector is happy to engage the City Government, particularly with the tripartite partnership on investment promotion. This joint initiative will accelerate and unify our efforts to develop Bohol Province with Tagbilaran City as the gateway.”

o Meli im , e e

ide l of e

Tagbilaran City commits funds for 2017 SURGE activities

ran City d Ph 4 n as ty terp fu g fo the SURGE Pro s

s in City n p t the n to e and n the s t the ty s d in 6 th the ro s

rt. e City d e t fu s fo of rn to

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ran City Cou terp fo the SUR E Pro in o P)

Travel,

Trainings,

Supplies,

Other Supplies,

Extraordinary and Miscellaneous

Expense, 0


The SURGE Project also assisted in the preparation and approval of counterpart budget for

SURGE Project for 2017 in the city’s Annual Investment Plan (Annex 14).

b. Assessments Conducted

During the quarter, the SURGE Project conducted the water and sanitation assessment, and the

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Tagbilaran City Slaughterhouse Project.

The water and sanitation assessment will be used in the project’s work on improving water and

sanitation services in Tagbilaran City. Based on the assessment, the city needs to focus on water

management, particularly in the financial aspect such as ring-fencing and business planning and

capacity-development through learning exchanges and mentoring.

The EIA of Tagbilaran City Slaughterhouse Project also assessed the possible impacts of

operating the slaughterhouse to the local environment and the adjacent area. The assessment

provided recommendations on appropriate mitigating measures to minimize impact to the

environment.

c. Capacity Development

The project facilitated the participation of three city staff in Septage Management benchmarking

activity in Dumaguete City and in the Baliuag Water District on November 21 to 25, 2016. The

participants viewed septage management as a viable option in achieving a water and sanitation

policy. The Tagbilaran City staff who joined the activity realized the value of sanitation and the

feasibility of a septage treatment plant in Tagbilaran City.

The three-day ring-fencing and business planning workshop that aims to improve the city water

works system was participated in by 30 city staff led by the city administrator and the head of

Tagbilaran City Waterworks System (TCWS). The workshop led to the review of the overall

direction of the TCWS, and improvement in the financial, technical, and institutional arrangements

to meet the city’s water demand. Participants also agreed that processes introduced in the

workshop may be applied in public markets, integrated bus terminal and city slaughterhouse.

The SURGE Project also facilitated three important

inputs for initiating the reforms in the city’s water

utilities: a) ring-fencing; (b) business planning and

(c) identification and agreement on key

performance indicators.


Visit of USAID officials. The SURGE Project assisted in the preparation of exhibits and

helped in the presentation of City Mayor John Geesnell Yap during the visit of USAID

Officials led by Director Hari Sastry on October 14, 2016.

“We learned new skills from SURGE’s ring-fencing and business planning workshop, which is useful in improving the service delivery of other local economic enterprises managed by the City Government.”

Mar y ,

Tag n y


USAID/COMPETE Project. The SURGE Project coordinated with the USAID COMPETE

Project in the presentation of heritage maps, conservation guidelines and tourism bubbles

to city stakeholders on November 28, 2016.

USAID e-PESO Project. The project facilitated the meeting of the e-PESO Project and

the TWG e-PESO on the online payment proposals from the Development Bank of the

Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines on December 1, 2016.

Visit of USAID Mission Director. The project helped in the preparations for the visit of

USAID Mission Director, Dr. Susan Brems, to Tagbilaran City and Bohol on December 6,

2016. It was also an opportunity of the project to showcase through exhibits the progress

and accomplishments of SURGE.

6. ZAMBOANGA CITY Highlights of Accomplishments For Year 2, the SURGE Project supported the technical review of the CLUP, Zoning Ordinance (ZO) and the CDP of Zamboanga City to lay the groundwork for identifying the needs of the city in inclusive and resilient urban development. With the issuance of the Joint Memorandum Circular No.1, Series of 2016 for further streamlining and automation of the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS), the city initiated preparatory activities for its implementation in the January 2017 Business Registration. The SURGE Project worked with the private sector by assessing the city’s business enabling environment (BEE). The assessment provides an evaluation of the local investment promotion office, determines where assistance is needed, and recommends niche technical assistance. Capacity development activities were also conducted through facilitation, coaching and training in support to the project’s related activities such as the assistance in reviewing the city’s CLUP, ZO and CDP planning; BPLS; information system strategic plan (ISSP), greenhouse gas inventory and the mainstreaming of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in the Executive-Legislative Agenda. The SURGE Project extended assistance to other USAID program partners such as the Marine Corp of the United States of America based in the West Command Headquarters, USAID-A3 Project, USAID Be Secure Project and USAID’s Protect Wildlife Project. The City Project Coordinators for Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga City also represented the SURGE Project in the orientation on USAID programs in Mindanao for the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) officials. The SURGE Project continuously convene the project’s technical working group and facilitated meetings with the BPLS committee and the local finance committee during the review period. a. Institutional Support for Project Implementation

The first BPLS meeting was held on November 4, 2016 and discussed the Executive Order No. BC 225-2016 “Implementing the BPLS Reform Standards as per Joint Memorandum Circular No.1, Series 2016 and Revised Set-Up of Zamboanga City Business one-stop-shop (BOSS)”.


The executive order contains the provisions on the revised BPLS Reform Standards; the pre-registration requirements; the standard steps; the set-up for the BOSS; the BPLS committee and TWG structure and functions; the joint inspection team (JIT) guidelines and the automation of the BPLS process. The BOSS and the BPLS Reform Standards will be implemented in the Business Registration scheduled on January 3 to 20, 2017. The project TWG in Zamboanga City, on the other hand, was expanded to include representatives from the private sector, non-government organizations, the academe and the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone as indicated in the Executive Order No. BC-229, Series 2016 (Annex 15). This is an amendment stated in No. BC-154, Series 2015 dated November 23, 2015. In its November 24, 2016 meeting, the TWG discussed the assistance to the city, including the Year 2 work plan of the project. The city government’s Local Finance Committee met on December 6, 2016 to review the assessments made using the Public Finance Assessment Management Tool which is a self-assessment instrument designed to assist LGUs in evaluating their public finance management performance. The members of the committee agreed to improve the procurement process, which is contributing to delays in the implementation of infrastructure projects. The committee plans to continue to serve as the coordinating mechanism for revenue generation activities the SURGE Project is pursuing. The SURGE Project work plan for 2017 and the implementation of approved activities in the CDI cities were discussed during the CPCs meeting on December 12 to 14, 2016. The discussion also focused on capacity development, communication, gender equality and social inclusion, and on monitoring and evaluation of projects. b. Assessments Conducted SURGE Project staff and consultants spent significant time conducting the assessment and study of the BEE. In November 14 to 18, 2016, the project’s short term technical adviser for BEE, Ryan Evangelista, conducted the key informant interviews, focus group discussions and site visit to the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone. Evangelista was able to generate some major challenges affecting business and investment growth of the city. Among the BEE challenges mentioned in the assessment are:

outdated laws and regulations that constrain an enabling business environment;

regulations that are not properly enforced and communicated to the public;

local economic investment and promotion office (LEIPO) and/or investment offices that are not institutionalized;

e-governance practices needing improvement:

weak internal communication among departments;

inter-office coordination and data sharing that need strengthening; linkages with the Department of Trade and Industry that have to be institutionalized;

absence of a long-term economic strategy and infrastructure plan;

“We learned a lot from the streamlined and client-focused business registration facilities of Valenzuela City and Quezon City, particularly how they handle issues and concerns. We will customize these best practices to the BPLS in Zamboanga City in time for the annual business registration period in 2017.”

e , ine s it and

ic ing Of , Zam a y Go


a poorly developed traffic management plan; the need to strengthen the private sector, particularly the business clubs and Chambers of Commerce; and

the need to enhance institutional public-private dialogue and consultations. c. Capacity Development The project facilitated the GHG Inventory of Zamboanga City wherein about 40 city government staff joined in October 14, 2016. The result of the inventory serves as the 2015 baseline data considering mobile and stationary sources of carbon dioxide equivalent emission. The SURGE Project will use the inventory in drafting the GHG Management Plan for Year 2 as also initiated by USAID’s B-LEADERS Project. Various city departments are now aware on the process of calculating the GHG using fuel and electricity consumption as bases. The project also provided a third party evaluation perspective as the city contracted a private sector group, Palafox Associates, to update its CLUP. Specifically, the project reviewed the contract between the city government and Palafox Associates and submitted a supplementary technical advisory note that was included in the contract. The last review of these plans, including integration of GESI considerations, was conducted on November 17, 2016. The project also mentored the Zamboanga City Government’s TWG in the review of the city’s draft CLUP and CDP and ensured that key technical staff were equipped with skills to review the plans and to prepare a zoning ordinance. The final draft will be presented through a road show in different Development Planning Units (DPUs) and stakeholders during the first quarter of 2017. The city’s TWG on Planning will facilitate the revisions of the plans, based on the final comments from the road show. The final draft of the documents will be endorsed to the City Development Council (CDC) and the Sangguniang Panglungsod in early 2017. The Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) is expected to receive the final form of the plans by mid- 2017.

The SURGE Project also helped the BPLO and other members of the BPLS team fast track the roll-out of permitting reforms in Zamboanga City through the implementation of the Reform Standards based on JMC No. 1, Series of 2016. Several meetings, study tours and trainings on BPLS streamlining were held from October to December 2016. This activity aims to contribute to the expected outcome of reducing the number of steps to three, processing time to one day for renewal and two days for new registrations, and signatories to two days.

Zam a y Go ials d ir e greenhouse s a into e inv y ing e p d by

S and Mi o lop y to h e e a and lec y

ion of e y s in r 2016

The Zam a ine s s and ic ing m e ina d e lan of e int im

ine s One p Shop for January 2017 in November 2016.


The project also continuous to facilitate the preparatory activities in the gathering of data for the formulation of the ISSP in February 2017. Through SURGE, the Department of Information, Communication Technology (DICT) committed to support the city in the conduct of a 3-day planning activity. While Zamboanga City is not part of the SURGE Technical Assistance on ISSP for Year 2, the city government is initiating this activity considering its importance in the development of all other information technology systems. The city identified SURGE Project as one of its partners in this activity. In Zamboanga City, the project also helped to enhance the city’s Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) with GESI integration and the newly enacted GAD policy (Ordinance 412 of 2013) also known as “An Ordinance for the Gender and Development Code of Zamboanga City,” and the Amended GAD Code (Ordinance 450 of 2016). In this connection, the project trained, in November 2016, Zamboanga City staff in mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion in the city’s Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA). The training aimed to develop the capacity of the 56 participants (34 women and 22 men) in the use of basic gender analysis tools to determine gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) gaps and information needed to formulate gender-responsive plans. SURGE also continued to assist the city in the development and updating of the CLUP and CDP with HLURB Guidelines, particularly in promoting GESI. d. Synergies with other USAID Projects

Marine Corp based in West Command. The SURGE Project met with the Civil Affairs Unit

of the Marine Corp, USA last November 12, 2016 and introduced SURGE Project’s

programs and activities.

USAID-A3 Project. The project shared its strategy with the Program Manager of the

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Implementing Arm of the USAID-A3 project in

Zamboanga City, in dealing with the City Development Initiatives.

USAID Protect Wildlife Project. The Protect Wildlife Project requested the assistance of

the SURGE Project in introducing their activities on biodiversity in Zamboanga City.

Represented by Reynaldo Navacilla, Site Manager for Zamboanga City, and Community

Development Specialist Clarissa Rendon presented an overview of the Protect Wildlife

Project to the chair and members of the SURGE Project TWG last Nov 24, 2016.

USAID Programs in Mindanao. The SURGE Project’s CPCs in Cagayan de Oro City and

Zamboanga City participated in the orientation of USAID programs in Mindanao on

December 8, 2016 in Davao City. Undersecretary Janet Lopos of MinDA signified her

interest to collaborate with the USAID’s SURGE Project and COMPETE Project in the

development of secondary cities of Mindanao.

USAID Be Secure. The Community Program Assistant (CPA) represented SURGE in the

pre-feasibility study meeting on the Impounding Dam initiated by USAID Be Secure Project

last December 9, 2016. One of the main issues in the meeting is the source of funding for

the conduct of the feasibility. The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD), however, will

send a proposal to the Be Secure Project to fund half of the expenses for the feasibility study

of the impounding dam. The remaining will come from the city government, water district

and from the congressional fund.


V. Management and Administration During the quarter, SURGE Project prioritized the hiring of long-term and short-term project staff and procurement of goods and services in support of project activities and major events scheduled for the period. Hiring of Technical and Administrative Staff and Consultants As of December 31, 2016, the project has 32 long-term staff, of which seven were contracted during the quarter (three technical staff, 4 administrative staff) (Table 6). Table 6. List of SURGE Project LTTA staff hired during the period Oct. – Dec. 2016

Position Name Date Employed

The SURGE Project also contracted three short term technical assistants (STTA) during the reporting period to provide various technical services (Table 7).

Table 7. List of SURGE STTA Personnel hired during the period Oct. – Dec. 2016

Position Name Date Approved by

USAID


Capacity Development Training for the SURGE Staff An in-house capacity development training was conducted last December 13, 2016 for the City Project Coordinators and December 16, 2016 for some of the SURGE Project staff in the Makati office. The training, attended by 17 staff, focused on capacity development as a major approach for the staff in implementing the Year 2 work plan. It also included topics on project report writing and communications, as well as on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). The SURGE Project’s Monitoring and Evaluation team has taken a more active role in tracking gender equality and social inclusion results, including CDI policies and development plans that promote and support gender equality, female participation and social inclusion in economic growth, and the participation of women and men in capacity development and technical assistance activities. Procurement of Equipment and Services During the reporting period, the SURGE Project ensured the smooth operation of its activities through (1) contracting of venue, lodging and transportation for the events for SURGE staff and (2) procurement of supplies and services of resource persons and documenters in CDI partner cities. The project supported the procurement of improvements and supplies for SURGE offices in Batangas City, Tagbilaran City, Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City. The procurement team also supported the requirements of the conference on sustainable land management, scoping missions for the selection of new CDI partner cities, various study tours and learning visits (BPLS, septage management), seminars and conferences (Waterlinks Forum 2016; National Conference of the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners 2016), training activities (basic customer service, BPLS assessment training), and workshops (ring fencing) among others.


VI. Financial Performance Report


Quarterly Finance Report

Quarterly Level of Effort Report



Report No. Output No. Output Title 7 3.4.2.1.1 Report on possible areas of collaboration with special purpose inter-municipal institutions

[Retitled as “Report on Possible Areas of Collaboration with Special Purpose Inter-Municipal Institutions]

8 D.2.1.1 Framework and indicator system on Sustainable Competitiveness

9 1.1.1.4.1 Report on the Framework and Indicator System for an Urban Development Index (UDI)

10 2.1.1.1.3 Assessment of the manner by which the SMVs were updated, the methods used, the procedures followed, in order to determine the kind of support required to enhance capacities for on-time updating and adherence to standards

11 2.2.1.1.2 E-Readiness Assessment of the CDI Cities covering its overall IT Architecture

12 2.2.1.1.3 Workshop/Training/Study Tours on BPLS Streamlining and BPOS Automation

13 2.4.2.1.1 Assessment of the business enabling environment of each of the six CDI cities, which will include the capacity and operations of the LEIPO, IPC, Negosyo Centers and local business groups

14 2.4.3.1.1 Proposals/measures to strengthen the LEIPO, IPC, Negosyo Centers and local business groups in the CDI cities

15 1.1.1.1.3 Development of Training Modules on CCA-DRR

16 1.3.1.1.1 Report on the Development of a Web-based public domain software tool (downscaled projections)

17 1.4.1.1.1 Assessment Report on Water Service Providers (WSPs) in Puerto Princesa, Batangas & Tagbilaran (non-BESECURE)

18 D.3.3.1 Proposed Framework for selection of CDI cities

D.3.3.2 Report on Scoping Missions


Annex 9. Attendance in SURGE Project Training and Study Tours (October-December 2016), Disaggregated by Sex

Component and activity No. of

activities Women Men Total Percentage

(%) of Women

Component 1

WaterLinks Forum ( participants from Batangas City, Tagbilaran City, Puerto Princesa City)

1 7 12 19 36.8

Study Tour to Baliuag, Bulacan and Dumaguete, Negros Occidental on Septage Management Practices and Consensus Building Work Towards Building a Water and Sanitation Policy in Batangas City, Puerto Princesa City and Tagbilaran City

1 9 17 26 34.6

Training on Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in the Executive-Legislative Agenda of Zamboanga City

1 33 23 56 58.9

Waterworks Ring-Fencing and Business Planning Workshop for the Tagbilaran City

1 46 48 94 48.9

Total for Component 1 4 95 100 195 48.7

Component 2

Study Tour to Valenzuela City and Quezon City (participants from Zamboanga City)

1 4 9 13 30.7

Workshop on BPLS Streamlining for Zamboanga City

1 4 9 13 30.8

Customer Service Skills Training on the BPLS

3 73 64 137 53.3

BPLS Assessors' Training 1 5 0 5 100.0

Total 6 86 82 168 51.2

Total for all Components 10 181 182 363 49.9


Annex 10. Monitored Media Placements, October to December 2016

No. Date Media

Company Media Type Title Author URL

1 2-Oct-16 Bohol Chronicle print news Modern slaughter house next year

p. 27

2 2-Oct-16 Bohol Chronicle print news Private Partnerships on

p. 27

3 2-Oct-16 Bohol Chronicle print news One Voice, One Destination

p. 2

4 2-Oct-16 Bohol Tribune print news One Voice, One Destination

p. 6

5 3-Oct-16 City Government of Tagbilaran

Facebook Post

Mayor Yap looks into the value of Public-Private Partnerships

Tagbilaran City Media Bureau

https://www.facebook.com/citymediabureau/photos/a.650409628351732.1073741827.650405008352194/1203340569725299/?type=3&theater


online news Mayor Yap looks into the value of Public-Private Partnerships

City Government of Tagbilaran

http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/mayor-yap-looks-into-the-value-of-public-private-partnerships/


online news Mayor Yap sees a state-of-the-art City Slaughterhouse in 2017


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/mayor-yap-sees-a-state-of-the-art-city-slaughterhouse-in-2017/


online news One Voice, One Destination City Government of Tagbilaran

http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/one-voice-one-destination/

9 16-Oct-16 Bohol Chronicle print news City forging ties with USAID

p. 24

10 16-Oct-16 Bohol Tribune print news Bohol, Tagbilaran forge stronger ties with USAID

p. 14

11 17-Oct-16 City Media Bureau

Facebook Post

Tagbilaran City is now ready for a digital revolution

Jeanette Busano https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154696974662578&set=a.10151294328607578.535601.580462577&type=3&theater


Facebook Post

Mayor Yap, forging strong partnerships with USAID

Jeanette Busano https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154696970612578&set=a.10151294328607578.535601.580462577&type=3&theater


online news Mayor Yap, forging strong partnerships with USAID


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/mayor-yap-forging-strong-partnerships-with-usaid/

14 17-Oct-16 REX Gatchalian Facebook Page

Facebook Post

Welcome to Valenzuela City, Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Beng Climaco!

REX Gatchalian Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/REXGatchalianValenzuelaCity/photos/a.202573989898648.1073741829.202280736594640/683594298463279/?type=3&theater


No. Date Media Company

Media Type Title Author URL

15 17-Oct-16 REX Gatchalian Facebook Page

Facebook Post

Mayor Beng Climaco, thanks for visiting us in Valenzuela City!

REX Gatchalian Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/REXGatchalianValenzuelaCity/photos/a.202573989898648.1073741829.202280736594640/683612715128104/?type=3

16 17-Oct-16 Valenzuela City Facebook Page

Facebook Post

USAID Philippines chose Valenzuela City as its study site

Valenzuela City Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/valenzuelacitygov/posts/10155412904058378

17 18-Oct-16 Beng Climaco Facebook Page

Facebook Post

Climaco: US military leaves but humanitarian aid stays

Beng Climaco Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/bengclimaco/posts/10154041910113014


Facebook Post

Through USAID SURGE Program we learn Innovative means to better serve our people.


https://www.facebook.com/bengclimaco/posts/10154039601268014

19 18-Oct-16 Bohol Chamber of Commerce & Industry

online news USAID Delegates Visit to Bohol

Bohol Chamber of Commerce & Industry

http://www.boholchamber.org/usaid-delegates-visit-to-bohol.html


Facebook Post

Mayor Beng Climaco presents a token of appreciation to Maris Mikelsons


https://www.facebook.com/bengclimaco/photos/a.410453633013.187450.96666303013/10154048162508014/?type=3&theater

21 20-Oct-16 Bohol Chronicle online news City to launch E-track system in January

Bohol Chronicle Daily

http://boholchronicle.com.ph/2016/10/20/city-to-launch-e-track-system-in-january/

22 21-Oct-16 Superbalita-Cebu

online news e-TRACS ilusad Superbalita-Cebu http://www.sunstar.com.ph/superbalita-cebu/balita/2016/10/21/e-tracs-ilusad-504892

23 21-Oct-16 Zamboanga Times

print news Beng, Aussie officials tackle housing initiatives for IDPs

Zamboanga Times p.1-2


online news City Government prepares for full automation


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/city-government-prepares-for-full-automation/


Facebook Post

City Hall adopts 2-step business registration mode


https://www.facebook.com/bengclimaco/photos/a.410453633013.187450.96666303013/10154067473923014/?type=3

26 28-Oct-16 Zamboanga Times

print news City Hall adopts 2-step business registration mode

Vic Larato p. 1 & p.15

27 28-Oct-16 Zamboanga Today

print news City Hall adopts 2-step business registration mode

Zamboanga Today p. 1-2







28 28-Oct-16 Bohol News Daily

online news Bohol to ramp up investments with “one voice for one destination”

Bohol News Daily http://www.boholnewsdaily.com/bohol-to-ramp-up-investments-with-one-voice-for-one-destination.html

29 28-Oct-16 News Now online news Bohol to ramp up investments with “one voice for one destination”

Bohol News Daily http://www.newsnow.ph/news/bohol-to-ramp-up-investments-with-one-voice-for-one-destination-

30 30-Oct-16 Bohol Chronicle print news Gov. Chatto and Mayor Yap, to ramp up investment with "one voice for one destination"

Bohol Chronicle p.4 & 28B

31 30-Oct-16 Bohol Chronicle print news Tagbilaran City supports legal revenue generation initiatives

Bohol Chronicle p.27

32 30-Oct-16 Bohol Tribune print news Unified effort seen as Bohol pushes to get investments

Bohol Tribune p.4 & 28

33 2-Nov-16 Tagbilaran Philippine Information Agency

Facebook Post

Bohol, Tagbilaran, BCCI form invest promotion partnership

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

https://www.facebook.com/234anthony/posts/1208426932533603

34 2-Nov-16 Effective Development Communication Unit Bohol

online news Bohol to ramp up investments with “one voice for one destination”

Effective Development Communication Unit Bohol

http://edcom.bohol.gov.ph/bohol-to-ramp-up-investments-with-one-voice-for-one-destination/

35 7-Nov-16 City Information Department of Puerto Princesa City

Facebook Post

MIMAROPA Investment Conference 2016

Francis Ric Machado

https://www.facebook.com/francisricm/posts/10209172394885999


Facebook Livestream

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron talks about the investment opportunities in the "Simply Captivating" City of Puerto Princesa

Francis Ric Machado

https://www.facebook.com/francisricm/videos/10209172282963201/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE


Facebook Post

MIMAROPA Investment Conference

City Information Department of Puerto Princesa City

https://www.facebook.com/cio.puertoprincesa/posts/1331981160168921

38 9-Nov-16 City Government of Tagbilaran

Facebook Post

Mayor Yap, keen in improving the water system in the City














online news Mayor Yap, keen in improving the water system in the City


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/mayor-yap-keen-in-improving-the-water-system-in-the-city/


Facebook Post

All systems go for the improved business permits application


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1252434838149205.1073742107.650405008352194&type=3


online news All systems go for 2017 Business permits application


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/all-systems-go-for-2017-business-permits-application/

42 1-Dec-16 City Government of Tagbilaran

Facebook Post

Sustainable Water for Tagbilaran City



43 4-Dec-16 Bohol Tribune print news Program eyed to help Tagb get sustainable water source

Bohol Tribune p. 6 & 30

44 4-Dec-16 Bohol Chronicle print news Sustainable Water for Tagbilaran City

Bohol Chronicle p. 23


Facebook Post

Promoting Investments, generating income



46 5-Dec-16 Bohol Chronicle online news Red tide-affected brgys get food aid

Bohol Chronicle http://boholchronicle.com.ph/2016/12/05/red-tide-affected-brgys-get-food-aid/


online news Sustainable Water for Tagbilaran City


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/sustainable-water-for-tagbilaran-city/


Facebook Post

3-day workshop to improve business processes in TCWS




Facebook Post

Towards an improved water service delivery




Facebook Post

Tagbilaran City, ready for the business permits application and renewal



51 11-Dec-16 Bohol Chronicle online news Bohol-Cebu bridge ok’d; power shortage looms

Bohol Chronicle http://boholchronicle.com.ph/2016/12/11/bohol-cebu-bridge-okd-power-shortage-looms/








Facebook Post

Tagbilaran City, ready for 2017 business permits application and renewal


https://www.facebook.com/citymediabureau/photos/a.650409628351732.1073741827.650405008352194/1277491825643506/?type=3


online news Tagbilaran City, ready for 2017 business permits application and renewal


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/tagbilaran-city-ready-for-2017-business-permits-application-and-renewal/


Facebook Post

From 14 to 3 steps, business owners be ready


https://www.facebook.com/citymediabureau/posts/1287542157971806


Facebook Post

Faster business permits application in Tagbilaran City


https://www.facebook.com/notes/tagbilaran-city-government/faster-business-permits-application-in-tagbilaran-city/1291966250862730


online news City Gov’t. simplifies business process to just 3 steps


http://www.tagbilaran.gov.ph/news/city-govt-simplifies-business-process-to-just-3-steps/

quarterly progress report - united states …pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pa00n58n.pdf · quarterly...

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