Report on the INVEST Support on the Launching of the Cities Development Initiative in INVEST Partner Cities: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo Investment Enabling Environment (INVEST) Project Submitted to U.S. Agency for International Development/Philippines Office of Economic Development and Governance under Contract No. AID-492-C-11-00005 November 15, 2012 By Orient Integrated Development Consultants, Inc. (OIDCI) FSS Building, 89 Scout Castor Street, Quezon City, Philippines Tel No.: 374.0757; Fax. No. 413.232 Table of Contents List of Acronyms ………..……………………………………………………………….. iii I. Introduction ……………………………………………………….……………………… 1 II. Launching of the Cities Development Initiative................................................. 2 A. Iloilo City ......................... ………………………………………..………………… 2 B. Batangas City ........................... …………….…………………………………….. 3 C. Cagayan de Oro City ……………………………………………………………..... 4 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Profile of Participants in the CDI Launch in Iloilo City................................ 2 Table 2. Profile of Participants in the CDI Launch in Batangas City ………………… 3 Table 3. Profile of Participants in the CDI Launch in Cagayan de Oro City ……….. 4 ANNEXES Annex A. Program of the CDI Launch in Partner Cities …………………………….. 5 Annex B. Pictures of the CDI Launch in Partner Cities ...…………………………….. 8 Annex C. Scene-Setters Prepared for the CDI Launch ………..……….…..………... 11 ii List of Acronyms ADB Asian Development Bank BOSS Business One-Stop Shop BPLO Business Permit and Licensing Office BPLS Business Permit and Licensing Systems CDI Cities Development Initiative CDO Cagayan de Oro COR Contracting Officer‟s Representative CTO City Treasurer‟s Office DILG Department of the Interior and Local Government DTI Department of Trade and Industry FSIC Fire Safety Inspection Certificate IBC Iloilo Business Club INVEST Investment Enabling Environment Project LEIPO Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer MOU Memorandum of Understanding NEDA National Economic and Development Authority NGA National Government Agency OroChamber Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry US United States USAID United States Agency for International Development iii I. Introduction The Investment Enabling Environment Project (INVEST) is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported two-year initiative that aims to assist the Philippine government to: (A) lower the transaction cost in doing business at the local level particularly involving business permits and licensing systems (BPLS), and (B) increase the flow of private investments and the number of business start-ups in the Philippines. As part of its Year 1 Work Plan, INVEST assisted the USAID in launching the Cities Development Initiaitive (CDI), a new USAID program that aims to partly address the disparity in economic growth across geographical locations by assisting first class cities to act on the binding constraints to local economic development. It employs a holistic approach in delivering USAID assistance in the areas of economic growth and investment, education, health, and environment. The implementation of the CDI shall start in cities identified by USAID for the INVEST. The CDI Launch in the three partner cities of INVEST – Batangas, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro – formally unveils and introduces the new and more integrated set of USAID assistance to Philippine cities. The CDI Launch was capped by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the USAID and the concerned city governments. This report presents the highlights and other relevant information on the CDI Launch in the three partner cities of INVEST. It records Deliverable No. 1 - Assistance to USAID in the Selection of Target Cities under Component 3 of the INVEST Project‟s Work Plan. 1 II. INVEST Support to the Launching of the Cities Development Initiative A. Iloilo City The CDI was first launched in Iloilo City on March 2, 2012 to coincide with the US Embassy‟s major event entitled: “America in 3D Program - Diplomacy, Development and Defense“1 which was held at the SM City Iloilo City from March 2 to 4, 2012. The USAID, through the COR, organized the CDI Launch, while the INVEST provided financial support. 1. The Program The original plan to have the US Ambassador as the guest of honor during the event did not materialize due to unforeseen circumstances. Hence, the United States Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Leslie A. Bassett, signed the MOU on behalf of the US Government and delivered the “Expression of Support” for the Project. The Philippine Government, on the other hand, was represented by Senator Franklin Drilon and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero. The President of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), Mr. Antonio Jon, gave the closing remarks. The Program for the event is found in Annex A while selected pictures taken during the event are presented in Annex B. 2. Profile of the Participants A total of 41 participants attended the CDI Launch in Iloilo City, mostly composed of city officials, representatives from national government agencies, and the private sector (Table 1). There were more male than female participants to the event. Table 1. Profile of Participants in the CDI Launch in Iloilo City Type of Institution Female Male Total City Officials 0 6 6 Other National Government 2 3 5 Agencies Private Sector 8 13 21 Business Sector 5 6 11 Academe 3 7 10 Media 1 4 5 USAID 2 0 2 INVEST 2 0 2 TOTAL 15 26 41 1 The event featured the following: (a) musical performances from various artists, (b) presentation of American culture, (c) free seminar on visa application, (d) briefing on how to study in the US, (e) free sports clinic, and (f) dance lessons. 2 3. Expenses Incurred for the Launch A total of P59,274.96 was expended for the CDI Launch in Iloilo City. B. Batangas City 1. The Program The CDI Launch in Batangas City, which was held on March 3, 2012, was planned to coincide with the visit of Mr. Donald Steinberg, USAID Deputy Administrator, to the Philippines to attend the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). A ceremonial signing of an MOU between USAID and the city government capped the event. Expressions of support were delivered by Undersecretary Merly Cruz of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), who represented the National Government, and Mr. Faustino Caedo who represented the private sector in Batangas City. The Program of the Launch is presented in Annex A while pictures of the event are found in Annex B. 2. Profile of Partiicipants Fifty-nine (59) participants attended the event, mainly composed of representatives from the business sector, officials from national government agencies (NGAs) whose subnational offices are located in Batangas, and city officials (Table 2). Unlike the CDI Launch in iloilo City, there were more female than male participants in the Batangas City CDI Launch. Table 2. Profile of Participants in the CDI Launch in Batangas City Type of Institution Female Male Total City Officials 5 6 11 Other National Government Agency 7 5 12 Private Sector 14 14 28 Business Sector 5 8 13 CSO 2 3 5 Academe 7 3 10 USAID 2 1 3 INVEST Project 3 2 5 TOTAL 31 28 59 3. Expenses Incurred for the Launch A total of P74,980.17 was expended for the CDI Launch in Batangas City. 3 C. Cagayan De Oro City 1. The Program Cagayan de Oro (CDO) was the last of the INVEST partner cities where the CDI was launched. No less than His Excellency Harry K. Thomas, US Ambassador to the Philippines, graced the event. Similar to the first two CDI events, an MOU was signed between USAID and the city government. The National Governemnt was represented by Undersecretary Austere Panadero of the DILG and Undersecretary Zenaida Magalaya of DTI who both delivered expressions of support to the CDI. Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of the Second District of CDO and Ms. Ma. Teresa Alegreo, the current President of the Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OroChamber) expressed their appreciation to the USAID for the assistance it was extending to the city and articulated their support to ensure the success of the CDI in CDO. The Program for the Launch is presented in Annex A while some of the pictures taken during the event are displayed in Annex B. 2. Profile of Partiicipants A total of 130 participants attended the CDI Launch in CDO. Most of the participants came from the city government (28%) with all members of the local Sanggunian (legislative assembly) present. The other participants were representatives of the private sector (24%), NGAs (17%) and local media (38%). There were notably more males than females who attended the event. Table 3. Profile of Participants in the CDI Launch in Cagayan de Oro City Type of Institution Female Male Total City Officials 12 25 37 Other National Government Agency 12 10 22 Private Sector 11 20 31 Business Sector 7 19 26 Academe 4 1 5 Media 8 17 25 USAID 1 3 4 INVEST Project 4 2 6 Others 2 3 5 TOTAL 50 80 130 3. Expenses Incurred for the Launch A total of P166,628.42 was expended for the CDI Launch in Cagayan de Oro City. 4 Annex A. Program of the CDI Launch in Partner Cities 1. Iloilo City Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between USAID/Philippines and the City Government of Iloilo to Launch the Cities Development Initiative (CDI) Friday, March 2, 2012, 3:30pm Rio Function Room, Hotel del Rio, Iloilo City Program 3:30 – 4:00pm Registration 4:00 – 4:15pm Opening Remarks and Introduction of Guest of Honor Hon. Gloria D. Steele USAID/Philippines Mission Director 4:15 – 4:25pm Messages Hon. Leslie A. Bassett United States Chief of Mission Hon. Jed Patrick E. Mabilog Mayor, Iloilo City 4:25 – 4:35pm Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding 4:35 – 4:45pm Expressions of Support Senator Franklin M. Drilon Senate of the Philippines Hon.