Tagbilaran City, under the leadership of Mayor Jane Yap, has embarked on a
transformative journey towards climate resilience through a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) signing with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Caritas
Australia.
The ceremonial signing took place on December 13, 2023, at the Bohol Tropics
Resort, marking a significant step in the implementation of the five-year project,
Climate Action Partnership in Asian Cities (CAPACities).
Mayor Yap, with the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Officer
Gerard Lavadia, and representatives from CRS and Caritas Australia, including
Mr. Jonas Tetangco and Ms. Ma. Concepcion Chin Nobleza, Head of
Programming at CRS, participated in the MOU signing.
CAPACities, a five-year initiative, is designed to fortify the inclusive climate
change governance and adaptive capacity of Tagbilaran City. The project aims to
support the local government in formulating, financing, and executing effective
climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.
Mayor Yap expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This
collaboration is a significant milestone in our city’s journey towards climate
resilience. Through CAPACities, we aim to not only fortify our city against climate
impacts but also ensure that our efforts are inclusive, accountable, and well-
communicated to our citizens.”
The project is structured around three key outcomes: first, climate change
stakeholders have strengthened capacity, multi-stakeholder engagement and
partnership coordination; second, Tagbilaran City LGU implement inclusive and
accountable Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) policies; and finally, improve two-
way communication and feedback with citizens around CCA issues.
The MOU signing signifies a collective commitment to addressing the challenges
posed by climate change and working towards a sustainable and resilient future
for Tagbilaran City.
The partnership with CRS and Caritas Australia is expected to bring valuable
expertise and resources to the city’s efforts in climate change adaptation and
mitigation.