MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Local Government (DILG) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have partnered for a project that will build economic hubs in nine partner cities in the Philippines.
The project named Urban Connect has an allocated budget of P625 million and is expected to be implemented for five years.
“As your partner in prosperity, the U.S. 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,” USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn said in the project launch on Friday.
The nine partner cities are Batangas, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga.
The project will work with the local government units of the cities to streamline business permits, transition to e-governance, promote disaster readiness, as well as promote health and education, among other roles.
“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.
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