City Mayor Jane Yap presented the priority programs and vision of the city government leading to the city’s transformation into a sustainable and livable city during the Liveable Cities LocalLab held on June 5, 2024 at the MetroCentre Hotel.
In her keynote presentation, Mayor Yap outlined Tagbilaran’s journey towards becoming a sustainable, resilient, and innovative city.
She highlighted the city’s economic growth, opportunities, and digitalization efforts, aiming to position ICT as a major economic stream in Tagbilaran City
“Digitalization is one of the key executive agenda of my administration,” Mayor Yap emphasized.
She elaborated the topic on how streamlining and automating the city’s business registration process has been a crucial step in driving economic growth and opportunities in the city.
The mayor showcased Tagbilaran’s economic trajectory and priority program geared towards modernization and efficiency.
Other notable speakers at the event included Marietta Gasatan, Vice-President for External Affairs of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), who represented BCCI Past President Dominic Butalid.
Gasatan, spoke on “Doing Business in the City and Tagbilaran City as a Business and Investment Destination.”
Ms. Jovencia Ganub, Provincial Environment Management Officer, represented Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte and discussed “Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Bohol – Bohol’s Vision for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”
Engr. Ceidge Razon, Corporate Sustainability Manager of Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST), Inc., presented: “Partnership for Sustainable Communities,” and Patrick Gloria, Vice President for External Affairs of Globe, discussed “Digitalizing the Island.”
These presentations collectively underscored the multi-faceted approach to sustainability and development being undertaken in Tagbilaran City and the province of Bohol.
The event began with opening remarks by Guillermo Luz, Chairman of Liveable Cities Philippines, and a message from Massa Dunnaville, Mission Economist of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines.
Luz highlighted the importance of such fora in fostering collaboration and innovation among local government units, investors, and partners.
Dunnaville emphasized USAID’s commitment to supporting resilient and inclusive economic growth in Tagbilaran and other secondary cities through the USAID Urban Connect project.
Organized by Liveable Cities Philippines in partnership with USAID Urban Connect, this activity provided an avenue for local government units to engage with potential investors and partners, promoting a more resilient and inclusive economic growth.
Conducted both face-to-face and via Zoom, the event served as a platform for sharing good practices, innovative solutions, and appropriate technologies, fostering new partnerships and collaborative efforts.
USAID Urban Connect is a five-year project implementing various activities that promote inclusive and resilient economic growth in Tagbilaran and eight other secondary cities.
Meanwhile, Liveable Cities Labs are designed as one-day panel discussions focused on specific themes, providing a platform for sharing successful practices and forging new partnerships.