“TOGETHER, we can make good governance happen. Although there is still much to do, we are 100% onboard. This partnership we have forged is an important foundation for the success of democratic governance and citizen’s engagement in the city,” emphasized City Mayor Jane Yap during her opening message in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with USAID-CHANGE.
After the successful partnership of Tagbilaran City with USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE), Tagbilaran is in for another meaningful partnership, this time with USAID-CHANGE.
The CHANGE activity will assist Tagbilaran City with the improvement of the environment for decentralization, enhancement of local government service delivery, and effective engagement of civil society in governance.
USAID-CHANGE also intends to mobilize a wide range of methods to increase development impact, including using assistance to leverage private sector engagement, convening the private sector to support good governance, engaging academia and civil society in development programs, and supporting Tagbilaran City’s work to create an enabling environment for social development, economic growth, and good governance.
Prior to the MOU signing, a two-day training on social accountability were also rolled out to the various civil society organizations, academe, and city department heads.
An onboarding session was also conducted in 2022 thru the launch of the Citizen and Monitoring Report Card. It is a collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and the city government. Dr. Leah Pilongo from the University of Bohol discussed the merits of the survey tool which would be used to assess a city government project. The tool was based on the tenets of good governance anchored in Transparency, Accountability, and Participation. Aside from the survey, a desk review was also conducted to check and assess the documents in the course of the project such as business plan, feasibility studies, financial reports, and other pertinent documents.
Seven (7) monitors from various Civil Society Organizations will conduct the survey and Focus Group Interviews. Two representatives from the City Government will also be part of the monitoring team. This initiative is the first undertaking between the civil society organizations and the local government unit. This unique undertaking is spearheaded by USAID-CHANGE Coordinator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes. (Jeanette Busano)
