Daily TribuneThe US government seeks to strengthen the capacity of our partner cities and surrounding areas to become not only centers of economic growth, but also beacons of inclusivity and innovation.
Photograph courtesy of usaid DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and USAID Philippines mission director Ryan Washburn (center) lead representatives of USAID’s Cities Development Initiative partner-cities in the launch of the Urban Connect project in Quezon City.
Another partnership with the US will fast-track the economic development of nine cities outside Metro Manila.
USAID's five-year, P625-million ($11 million) Urban Connect Project with the Philippines will fund capacity-building initiatives and provide technical assistance that will build thriving economic hubs in Batangas, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Zamboanga.
Under the program, USAID will work closely with said local governments to facilitate enterprise growth, streamline the business permit system, reinforce public financial management, promote e-governance transition, and enhance cooperation between neighboring cities.
The project will also improve health and education services, promote climate resilience and disaster readiness, and champion gender equality and social inclusion in partner-cities.
The launch, which coincided with the celebration of World Cities Day on 31 October and the Philippines' Local Government Month, gathered partners and representatives from the private sector, supporting agencies, and the Philippines' national and local government.
"As your partner in prosperity, the US government seeks to strengthen the capacity of our partner cities and surrounding areas to become not only centers of economic growth, but also beacons of inclusivity and innovation," said USAID Philippines mission director Ryan Washburn. "The Urban Connect Project fosters sustainability and resilience and ensures that no one is left behind as these cities progress."
"Aligned with our vision in building competitive, resilient, socially-protective, and safe LGUs, we believe that USAID's Urban Connect Project will complement and can help in further supplementing the efforts not only of DILG but also of other government agencies in enhancing public service delivery and advancing local economic development," DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said.
The new partnership builds on the gains of USAID's ongoing Cities Development Initiative, which has helped introduce key economic reforms and boosted the competitiveness of its pilot cities such as Batangas, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro.
USAID's Urban Connect Project also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and supports the US government's goal to boost the country's regional competitiveness in the Indo-Pacific by promoting inclusive and resilient economic growth.
