Victorias in Negros Occidental is among the seven new cities in the Philippines that partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) project.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez signed the memorandum of understanding with USAID Philippines Office of Economic Development and Governance director, Jeffery Goebel, March 12 at the City Resort Pavilion.
“Through the ‘Change’ project, we are not just enhancing our local governance ecosystem, we are reaffirming our commitment to the values of democratic governance,” Benitez said in his message at the MOU signing.
He stressed that this partnership with USAID “is a significant step in the realization of the city’s vision to become a beacon of inclusive development and a model for effective and people-centered governance.”
The project supports strengthened democratic governance in the Philippines by making local governance more responsive, the city said in a press release.
It also hopes to strengthen the enabling environment for decentralization; enhance service delivery capacity, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability of participating local governments; and empower citizens by increasing their participation in and oversight of governance processes in ways that the government both approves and support, the city added.
Goebel said the CHANGE Project will augment responsive governance, through increased citizen engagement, and will enable an improved public service delivery.
Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and Democracy, Rights, and Governance senior specialist Gerardo Porta of the USAID Philippines Office of Economic Development and Governance witnessed the MOU signing.
Bureau of Local Government Finance Region VI director Maria Rhodora Gascon, councilors Teresita Bartolome and Joji Adorio-Larraga, City Administrator Atty. Lindolf De Castro, DILG CLGOO Stephanie Almira, schools division superintendent Portia Mallorca, department heads, and representatives from the Samahan ng mga Ex-OFWs Victorias, Hacienda Aida Integrated Small Farmers Association, Hacienda Cabuyawan Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Association, Barangay XX Farmers and Sugarcane Association, and Barangay XIII Women’s Homebase Workers Association, among others, also attended the MOU signing. ||
