“I believe you are ready to take on your next project,” said Priscilla Wilson, one of the International City/ County Management Association (ICMA) delegates during their study tour in Tagbilaran.
ICMA is the contracting agency of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is the professional home of more than 13,000 local government leaders, managers, staff, and stakeholders committed to developing and promoting the best practices in governance at the subnational level.
Various ICMA local governance experts mentored Tagbilaran City during the USAID-SURGE (Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity) project from 2015 to 2021.
After USAID-SURGE, CHANGE or Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement succeeded the USAID project in Tagbilaran City.
The study tour commenced at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall where City Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala delivered a welcome message followed by a response from ICMA’s head of delegation, Valmarie Turner.
Highlights of the USAID-SURGE implementation in Tagbilaran City were shown through a video presentation.
This was followed by the report done by USAID-CHANGE (Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement) Focal Person and Civil Society Organization (CSO) Desk Officer Alvin Acuzar.
According to the report, Tagbilaran’s accredited CSOs increased from 46 to 138 this year. Acuzar also pointed out that the accredited CSO members come from different groups which effectively represented the crucial sectors like the urban poor, women and children, transport, farmers, fisherfolks, and PWDs.
The ICMA delegates were impressed by the significant initiatives launched in the city, specifically in the establishment of the citizen monitors where the CSOs will be included in the monitoring of government project implementation.
USAID City Coordinator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes said that the success of the USAID Projects in Tagbilaran City relied heavily on the strong support from the City Officials.
“We are blessed with city government leaders who are committed to the project. Aside from the budget allocation to efficiently implement the initiatives, they were also open and supportive to the recommendations made by the consultants and technical experts,” Dr. Paredes said.
The City Hall Atrium also showcased the milestones from both the USAID SURGE and CHANGE projects in Tagbilaran. Stations were set up solely dedicated to USAID’s major projects in the city which included Livelihood, Streamlined Business Permitting, Civil Society Organizations, and Water.
The delegates freely checked out the ground exhibit showcase prepared by the Tagbilaran City Waterworks System, City Livelihood and Development Office, Business Permit and Licensing Office, and Barangay Affairs and Constituency Office.
A lunch fellowship was hosted by City Mayor Jane Yap at the Bohol Tropics Resort.
The group also visited Holy Name University, the National Museum, and the Balili Heritage House.
