Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Sub-component C.1 Takes Off!


Grant 9175's Sub-component C.1 (Resilience by mitigating vulnerability causes related to land use management, management of critical assets, and disaster preparedness) took off yesterday (13JUN2016) with an Orientation Program for representatives from the 30 Beneficiary Local Government Units, at the Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban City.

The simple and quick program was opened by Atty Cyril Casey Blanco, DILG8 Regional Legal Officer & Concurrent OIC-Chief, in behalf of Regional Director Dr. Pedro A. Noval. In his welcome address, Atty. Blanco informed the participants that this sub-component of ADB JFPR's Grant 9175 is an opportunity for the beneficiary LGUs to once and for all make their Comprehensive Land Use Programs (CLUPs) and Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPs) updated and strengthened by incorporating DRR and CCA measures using modern approaches such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies.

Coming all the way from DILG's Central Offices, Asst. Director Dennis Villasenor of the Bureau of Local Government Development, in behalf of its Director Anna Liza F. Bonagua, made a presentation on the expected roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in this ADB-funded project. Encouraging commitment from all present, AD Villasenor said this is not even for the good of DILG, but entirely for the benefit of the respective LGU's constituents to ensure resilience, being a disaster-prone region of the country. His presentation included not only the provincial governments, but even the roles of the academe and the private sector, who were duly represented, along with other cooperating agencies like OCD, NEDA, Business Chamber, etc.

Methodologies, approaches and expected outputs were then discussed by Architect Nathaniel Von Einsiedel, the Project Team Leader of the consulting firm that will execute the project deliverables in these 30 beneficiary local government units affected by super typhoon Yolanda(Haiyan). This consulting firm is a consortium of CONCEP, GEOS and ASSURE dedicating experts in the field of land use planning, geographic information systems, and social development.

Hosted & moderated by Dindo Mengote, Grant Management Unit's (GMU) Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations Expert (SEERE) of ADB JFPR, the 'short' orientation program became engrossingly active during the Q&A portion where enthusiastic participants did not only ask about project details and/or approaches, but they even shared their respective experiences or unique LGU conditions. The zest to know and share more from participants tended to manifest affirmation of their commitment to support and do their respective roles in this sub-component's activity details. To which all affirmed, by taking part in the ceremonial signing of the commitment board for stakeholders!

As implementing agency, the DILG is actively pursuing successful completion of this project so it can be emulated by other LGUs, not only in Region VIII, but the country. On hand to support the program were other DILG Central, Regional and Provincial Officers like Jenifer Galorport, Local Development Planning Division Chief of the BLGD, Adrian Colasito, the DILG Regional point person for this project, and Jude Villero, DILG Provincial Director for Eastern Samar.

Also in attendance were ADB Staff and Consultants. There are 3 consultants (Arvi Miguel, Susan Rachel Jose and Eugene Napisa, each with their own areas of expertise) dedicated to this sub-component alone, while the rest of the GMU Consultants Cathy Vidar, Anna Almodiel and Dindo Mengote were also present to support the proceedings. Olive Rillo from ADB Philippine Country Office also came to oversee the conduct of this initial activity.

This morning program/launch was immediately followed by the "1st Technical Consultation Workshop", a 5-day in-house workshop on the initial ground activities of this sub-component's deliverables.


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