CDI Insights: Toward Sustainable and Resilient Futures

Cities as Dynamic Engines of Growth

The development of countries is intricately tied to the way cities evolve, with cities serving as dynamic engines of growth. If urban growth is well-planned, cities can boost regional economic growth, encourage innovation, and contribute to overall prosperity. Moreover, giving importance to urban resilience helps cities to effectively navigate challenges, withstand shocks, and emerge more robust in the face of adversities such as disasters, climate change, and pandemics.

While megacities like Metro Manila draw considerable economic and political focus, smaller cities, those with populations below one million, also serve as key areas for urban growth and population concentration. These secondary cities play a vital role in contributing to national wealth and productivity. Recognizing their significance, development initiatives and growth efforts in the Philippines place vital emphasis on these smaller urban centers.

Cities Development Initiative

As part of the shared goal to accelerate and sustain inclusive growth in the Philippines, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been actively reinforcing the economic competitiveness and resilience of cities beyond Metro Manila through the Cities Development Initiative (CDI). Introduced in 2012 under the Partnership for Growth, CDI helps to improve local governance and the local business environment, strengthen educational and health services to make growth more equitable, and enhance environmental and community resilience and reduce disaster risks.

CDI activities aim to encourage economic growth in urban areas outside of Metro Manila by:

Fostering an open and competitive business climate;
Facilitating investments in high-value industry clusters;
Enhancing human capital development and promoting industry-academe linkages
Strengthening health services; and
Ensuring urban environmental resilience.

Through this initiative, USAID provides a range of technical assistance, drawing from resources in economic growth, health, energy, environment, governance, and education. USAID works with various partners, including governments, civil society, local communities, and the private sector, to address development challenges and promote sustainable development.

Partner cities are selected based on the following criteria:

An enabling environment for growth;
Credible city government committed to good governance;
Committed local partners;
Engaged private sector; and
High likelihood of producing impact.

The nine partner cities of USAID under CDI are Batangas, Legazpi, and Puerto Princesa in Luzon; Iloilo, Tacloban, and Tagbilaran in Visayas; and Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga in Mindanao. CDI will expand its coverage to additional cities starting this year.

CDI Partner Cities

CDI underscores the significance of urban-rural linkages in promoting economic growth, good governance, and sustainability through effective partnerships. Consequently, USAID's initiatives reach beyond the borders of CDI cities, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to comprehensively address the interconnected aspects of regional development.

USAID Projects in CDI Partner Cities and Beyond

There are more than 20 active USAID projects underway across CDI partner cities and their respective provinces and regions. Urban Connect and Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) projects are central to CDI. Click here to browse through the complete list of active USAID projects in the Philippines.

Economic Development and Governance

Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE)
Initiative for Advancing Community Transformation (I-ACT)
Urban Connect
Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed)

Health

Expanding Access to Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (RenewHealth)
Family Planning and Maternal and Neonatal Health Innovations and Capacity Building Platforms (ReachHealth)
Local Works: Capacitating Strategic Organizations to Strengthen the Civil Society Organization Sector (CSO2)
Meeting Targets and Maintaining HIV Epidemic Control (EpiC)
TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening (TB Innovations)
TB Platforms for Sustainable Detection, Care and Treatment (TB Platforms)

Education

Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+)
Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Alliance (AMDev)
Strengthening Inclusive Education for Blind, Deaf, and Deafblind Children (Gabay)
Improving Second Chance Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth in the Philippines (Opportunity 2.0)
YouthWorks PH

Environment

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO)
Climate Resilient Cities (CRC)
Mindanao Bamboo Value Chain Development Program
Philippines Counter Wildlife Trafficking and Protected Area Management
Safe Water
Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL)

Humanitarian

Bicol Resilience in Coastal Communities (BRICC)

Urban Connect

Launched in October 2023, in Manila, Urban Connect marks the commencement of a transformative five-year initiative spanning from 2023 to 2028. This five-year project aims to foster inclusive and resilient economic growth across CDI partner cities and their neighboring areas. Through a strategic focus on bolstering local economic development and improving public service delivery, Urban Connect aspires to become a catalyst for positive change.

Urban Connect will bolster local economic development by improving the regulatory environment for private investment and enterprise growth and strengthening inter-local government coordination and connectivity. The project will likewise improve public service delivery by strengthening public financial management, advancing e-government solutions, and enhancing the delivery of health and education services. As a cross-cutting focus, the project will strengthen climate resilience and disaster preparedness, and promote greater gender equality and social inclusion to ensure high-impact interventions.

CHANGE

CHANGE is a five-year (2021-2026) project that supports strengthened democratic governance in the Philippines by making local governance more responsive. Working with CDI partner cities, the project seeks to achieve more responsive local governance by strengthening the enabling environment for decentralization; enhancing service delivery capacity, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability; and empowering citizens by increasing their participation in and oversight of local governance processes in ways that the government both approves and supports.

CHANGE operates under the premise that when local governments and the communities they serve collaborate more effectively through collective actions and stronger partnerships, it brings democratic governance closer to the people. More specifically, the enhanced implementation of decentralization in the Philippines will contribute to strengthening democratic governance in the country.

Since 2021, CHANGE is being implemented in the nine CDI cities. Beginning in 2024, CHANGE will expand its coverage to seven new cities.

#ICYMI In October, USAID launched a new partnership with the Philippine government to help fast-track the economic development of nine cities outside Metro Manila. USAID’s five-year, Php624-million ($11 million) Urban Connect Project will help build thriving economic hubs in nine partner cities: Batangas, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga. 🇺🇸🤝🇵🇭 #Watchnow #CDI

“The Philippines is a country of extraordinary diversity and rich culture, and its cities are vibrant hubs of innovation, economic growth, and countless opportunities. However, like any growing nation, the Philippines has its share of challenges. Challenges that require innovative solutions, bold initiatives, and the unwavering dedication of all stakeholders." Ryan Washburn, USAID Mission Director for Philippines and Mongolia

“USAID is focusing in strengthening economic growth, democratic governance, health, education, and environmental resilience. And because of this, it fosters strong democratic systems, and of course upholds human rights, sustainable growth, and drives inclusiveness all over the country. Maraming, maraming salamat, USAID.” Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of the Interior and Local Government

“Through the years, USAID has been a steadfast partner of the people of Batangas City in addressing development challenges and finding solutions that have had consequential impact not only in our city, but also in the province. From fostering economic growth to improving essential services, and introducing innovations in research and technology, USAID’s contributions have been pivotal in our journey toward progress.” Mayor Beverly Rose Dimacuha, Batangas City

“In recent years, USAID’s presence in Tagbilaran has been instrumental in driving progress and advancing key initiatives. Through our collaborative efforts, we’ve witnessed significant improvements in local governance, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Together, we made strides in strengthening public financial management, boosting the local business climate, and supporting education and health services.” Mayor Jane Yap, Tagbilaran City

"By building stronger economic engines around the country, we create more investment opportunities, generate job growth, and build a larger middle class. This ultimately is good for inclusive growth." Guillermo Luz, Chief Resilience Officer, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation

The Legacy of CDI and the Impact of USAID's SURGE Project

CDI has left an indelible mark on urban development by leveraging innovative strategies and fostering sustainable growth in the 9 partner cities and surrounding localities. This lasting impact resonated across the country as a result of the successful implementation of USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE), the flagship project of CDI. SURGE was a six-year (2015-2021) project that assisted CDI partner cities and adjacent areas to plan effectively, guarantee basic public services, reduce business transaction costs, promote competitiveness, and support sustainable development.

In 2022, USAID commissioned the Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation for Improved Development (CLAimDev) to undertake a performance evaluation of the SURGE Project. The evaluation states that:

SURGE was relevant, effective, and sustainable.

SURGE interventions were aligned with the needs of the LGUs.

SURGE’s demand-driven approach had many benefits, but also led to partner cities having different directions, depths of interventions, and levels of achievements within the scope of the project.

With CDI partner cities’ strong commitment and partners’ willingness to fund activities, achievements through SURGE are likely to be sustained.

SURGE not only laid the foundation for thriving cities but also set a precedent for future endeavors aimed at creating vibrant, resilient, and equitable urban landscapes. The legacy of CDI continues to resonate, shaping the trajectory of urban development initiatives in the country.

Browse through the captivating visual stories of CDI partner cities in the photobook "Cities Rising: Philippine Regional Urban Centers in Focus." Published in 2021, this collection demonstrates the blending of Philippine urbanism and economic development at its finest – how citizens, led by dedicated visionary leaders, planners, scholars, entrepreneurs, living and working in the country’s fastest growing cities, shape, and re-shape their urban ecosystem.

Iloilo's Youth Plant 200 Mangrove Seedlings for Climate Action

In Iloilo City, 35 out-of-school youth (OSY) participated in a volunteering activity on January 16, 2024, planting 200 mangrove seedlings to support the city's tree-planting program. Organized by the USAID Opportunity 2.0 (O2) Program, the Iloilo City Youth Development Alliance (YDA), and the city's Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation, the event aimed to safeguard the city's ecosystems.

“I have desired to ignite the Ilonggo youth's passion to protect and preserve the environment. One effective method, I believe, is through our active participation in planting mangrove trees along the coastline of Iloilo City,” said SK Federation President Jelma Crystel Implica.

Jelma, a member of the Iloilo City YDA, emphasized that environmental volunteerism holds significant importance for her and fellow youth members in the city. “We want the youth to realize that every mangrove tree planted is a promise to nurturing biodiversity and an effort to combat climate change,” she said.

O2 aims to enhance the environment for out-of-school youth (OSY) and foster positive youth development locally by forming YDAs. These alliances, composed of officials from local government units, line agencies, private sector entities, higher education institutions, and community stakeholders across 15 project sites, enable local youth champions to collaborate. Together, they work to enhance local systems, providing OSY with improved opportunities for continued education, employment, or entrepreneurship.

In August 2022, Mayor Jerry Treñas endorsed the establishment of the Iloilo City YDA through Executive Order 029. Since its inception, OSY have actively participated in city-level planning and collaborated on various activities facilitated by the YDA through public-private partnerships. Furthermore, O2 and the Iloilo YDA jointly recommended participating OSY to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for needs-based scholarships in technical-vocational training courses. Looking ahead, the Iloilo YDA plans to engage more OSY in volunteering activities throughout 2024.

O2 also works with YDAs in the CDI partner cities of Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Legazpi, Tagbilaran, and Zamboanga. O2 supports systems in the Philippines to provide second-chance education to 180,000 out-of-school youth across 15 cities that lead to their successful employment and livelihoods.

Mental Health Initiatives for COVID-19 Recovery

The Philippines, like many countries, is recovering from the economic, social, and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting its recovery is important not only for economic stability but also for the social well-being and resilience of communities. This involves addressing mental health challenges, strengthening healthcare systems, providing resources, and offering expertise in diseases prevention and control.

To help the Philippines address priority public health challenges, including COVID-19 and global health security, the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and USAID, has been delivering high-quality technical assistance to the Department of Health and regional and health facility levels and building relationships with relevant partners working to address COVID-19.
This includes co-establishing mental health programs, wellness rooms, and resilience teams to promote mental health in the workplace.

In Zamboanga region, EpiC helped establish the Zambaonga del Sur Medical Center (ZDSMC) “Kapahulayan” Wellness Room, which is part of the hospital’s integrated mental health program that includes psychosocial support interventions for its healthcare workers.

Since January 2024, 407 healthcare workers have benefitted from ZDSMC’s mental health program, which contributed to USAID’s goal to strengthen mental health resilience among healthcare workers in government hospitals.

Learn how the Kapahulayan Wellness Room effectively tackled mental health challenges arising from the pandemic by watching this video:

EpiC is an eight-year global project (2019–2027) that provides technical assistance to strengthen global, regional, and local public health systems to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases, building on broad experience and existing capabilities.

Growing Resilience: USAID, CRS Philippines, and DA-ATI Team Up for Climate-Smart Farmers' Field School

In an effort to bolster resilience against climate change, USAID and CRS Philippines, through the Climate Resilient Cities (CRS) project, collaborated with Conservation International and the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute to launch the Climate-Smart Farmers' Field School (CSFFS) in Iloilo City in early December 2023. This 17-week training program in integrated crop management for vegetable production marks a significant stride toward fortifying agricultural sustainability in the face of rising climate threats.

Situated amidst waterways, Iloilo City is prone to flooding, posing a threat to agricultural production in the area. Compounded by the lack of necessary training to use climate information in their farming, farmers remain vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.

The CSFFS is currently equipping 34 farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate these environmental conditions. Through targeted instruction, farmers gain insights on climate change and access to localized weather forecasts, enabling informed decision-making and cost-effective-adaptation strategies in farming.

Farmers also receive instruction on enhancing crop production and protection, covering aspects such as pest and disease management, soil fertility improvement, water management, and post-harvest practices.

By fostering a community of climate-resilient farmers, USAID and CRS Philippines aim to bolster the efforts of Iloilo City's government in ensuring food security and livelihood sustainability for its residents. CRS is a five-year (2021-2026) project that aims to improve resilience of six cities in the country by strengthening the adaptive capacity of cities to adapt to, mitigate, and manage the impacts of climate change and disasters.

Reaching New Heights on COVID-19 Prevention and Maternal Health

At a recent culminating event, the USAID ReachHealth project showcased its accomplishments, emphasizing initiatives aimed at aiding local government units (LGUs) in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This further advances the project's ongoing efforts to enhance maternal, child, and adolescent health outcomes across the Philippines.

Since May 2020, ReachHealth has been assisting local government units and the Department of Health efforts to protect Filipinos from the burden of COVID-19. The project strengthened LGU-led COVID-19 emergency response and vaccination service delivery efforts to a total of 37 sites nationwide, mainly through capacity development for health and non-health care workers, community engagement, social behavioral change and risk communication, human resource augmentation, and provision of medical and laboratory supplies and equipment.

ReachHealth collaborated with the education sector, particularly the Department of Education, the BARMM-Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, and several development partners such as UNICEF and World Health Organization in contingency planning and safe schools reopening in Visayas and Mindanao.

The project also assisted PhilHealth in developing and implementing health financing policies on vaccine compensation claims, benefit packages for testing, as well as the COVID-19 home isolation benefit package.

ReachHealth is a six-year (2018-2024) project that aims to reduce unmet needs for family planning and decrease teen pregnancy and newborn morbidity and mortality across 11 regions in the Philippines.

About this Newsletter

"CDI Insights: Toward Sustainable and Resilient Futures" is a quarterly newsletter curated by USAID Urban Connect, featuring regular updates and compelling stories from CDI partner cities and their adjacent localities in the Philippines. This publication serves as a platform to disseminate opportunities for collaboration and engagement while highlighting the successful initiatives of USAID, with a specific focus on economic growth, governance, health, energy, education, and environmental resilience.