Mayor Yap, expresses thanks to the USAID-SURGE project
In this file photo, the Revenue Management Advisor of the International County Management Association (ICMA) under the United States Agency for International Development-Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth and Development (USAID-SURGE) Ron Rabun (left) paid a courtesy visit to City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II (center), together with USAID-SURGE Project Coordinator, Dr. Rosalinda Paredes (right). Rabun went on a two-week mission in Tagbilaran to assess and identify strategies which assisted the City in increasing its revenues. Contributed photo
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II expressed his heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the United States Agency for International Development- Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (USAID-SURGE) as the latter ended its project in the City on Sept. 30, 2021.
Mayor Yap said that through the technical expertise provided by the USAID- SURGE project thru its coordinator, Dr. Rosalinda Paredes, Tagbilaran City became competitive in terms of upgrading its systems and methods of governance.
Core development projects were pioneered and institutionalized in Tagbilaran thru the expert guidance of USAID-SURGE Project.
The various projects and achievements that the City was able to attain through the strong collaboration and partnership with USAID-SURGE Project includes the ff:
1. improvement of the capacity of City Waterworks System and access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
2. passage of City Ordinance C-275, establishing the Septage Management System of the City of Tagbilaran;
3. approval of the Local Climate Change Action Plan; information dissemination through conduct of seminars and workshops on the importance of low-carbon emission and clean energy and sustainable urban development;
4. streamlining the process of securing business permits and licenses and building and construction permits;
5. formulation of the Strategic Financial Management Plan, Strategic Asset Management Plan, and the Business Area Service Response and Recovery Plan;
6. formulation and organization of the Tagbilaran City Tourism Development Plan and Heritage Tour;
7. mainstreamed Gender Equality and Social Inclusion principles into the Project Activities;
8. creation of Tagbo sa Tagbi Online Food Bazaar for micro, small, and medium enterprises in Tagbilaran and Bohol;
9. creation of Tagbilaran City Business Service and Development Center, and strengthened linkages between the City and various stakeholders.
The USAID- SURGE Project is a five-year flagship project of the said agency’s Cities Development Initiative (CDI), which fosters the development of conditions for broad-based, inclusive and resilient economic growth for secondary and tertiary cities in the Philippines and aims to shift the Philippines to a sustained and more inclusive growth trajectory at par with other high‐performing emerging economies.
Graduates of BABA Livelihood Project complete certification training
Two of the graduates during their competency assessment in Tubigon: Jeizyl L. Cagyat (left) and Ma. Linda P. Baliquig (right). Contributed photo
The City Government of Tagbilaran congratulates the first batch of successful trainees of the Bangon ug Abante sa Bag-ong Asenso (BABA) Livelihood Project – Garments Manufacturing Business for gaining 100% rating in Tailoring National Competency Assessment held at the Provincial Training Center (PTC), Tubigon Bohol on September 25-27, 2021.
The trainees who passed the assessment are Arlene Abalos, Antonieta Aporan, Ma. Linda Baliquig, Ma. Lourdes Bamuya, Ailene Banluta, Jeizyl Cagyat, Aurelia Castro, Cynthia Faye Cimeni, Juvylen Co, Ruchelle Cuelo, Rebecca Datoy, Carol Inting, Leah Magto, Melinda Pablo, Lilia Pregunta, Ma. Elena Quipanes, Crispina Delos Reyes, Angelie Saren, Maricel Sumabong, Annabel Tanara, Jackielyn Teves, Francisca Dela Torre, Mary Jane Torrejas, and Jocelyn Ugboc.
The City Livelihood and Community Development Unit (CLCDU) is also grateful to its partners from the Bohol Island State University (BISU), especially to the trainers, Jo-ann Ingking, Nicole Faustor and Amethyst Lloren for enabling the trainees to succeed.
CLCDU head Adelfa Salutan also extended the appreciation to Argeo Melisimo and Leonor Dano of the First Consolidated Bank (FCB) Foundation.
Furthermore, the wholehearted support of City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II and First Lady Jane Yap made the program successful.
Mayor Yap congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue their aspirations of becoming an entrepreneur.
“Use all the skills that you have learned here as you venture into your business. Coupled with faith, perseverance, and hard work, these capacity buildings will help you achieve your goals of becoming financially independent in the future,” Yap said.
Mayor Yap also led the contract signing between the City Government and the University of Bohol Research Center (UBRC) as represented by its Dean, Dr. Leah Wilfreda Pilongo and the Tagbilaran City Livelihood Development Office under Adelfa Salutan.
UBRC will conduct a study on the economic strategic sub-sector value chain in the 15 barangays and the gathering of necessary, essential and closely related information needed for the establishment of the Tagbilaran City Livelihood Database.
The database would provide vital information in establishing livelihood projects for the recipients.
Mayor Yap said the database would provide the necessary information as to what livelihood programs would significantly improve the quality of life of the Tagbilaranons.