SP backs MOU for CDI-CHANGE

The 20th City Council on its regular session yesterday presided over by Vice Mayor Jocelyn B. Rodriguez enacted an ordinance authorizing City Mayor Rolando A. Uy to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) covering the implementation of the Cities Development Initiatives (CDI) – Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) Activity.

CDI seeks to foster the goals of inclusive, democratic and resilient growth by working with secondary and tertiary cities to develop them as economic growth hubs. USAID and CDI partner cities work together to strengthen the target cities’ ability to attract investment, generate new opportunities for employment, raise incomes, advance social inclusion, improve quality of life, promote a sustainable environment, and support democratic governance.

USAID and Cagayan de Oro City wish to cooperate to execute a catalytic, sustainable, transparent and equitable economic and governance reforms to spur resilient, broad-based, and inclusive economic growth and promote democratic governance in the city.

USAID, through CHANGE activity, will assist the city with the improvement of the environment for decentralization, enhancement of local government service delivery, and effective engagement of civil society in governance.

It also intends to furnish the city, subject to the availability of funds and pursuant to the terms of the assistance agreements in-kind support in the form of technical assistance, training, and commodities to further its development objectives.

Meanwhile, the city will provide counterpart support such as logistics like office space; equipment or clerical support for USAID-funded consultants and implementing partners; establishing and filing certain government positions or designating project counterparts; supporting training missions and activities, among others.

While the MOU memorializes the intent of USAID and Cagayan de Oro City, it does not constitute a treaty or other binding agreement under international law, nor does it supersede or interfere with any other compacts, agreements, contracts or grants between the government of the United States and the government of the Philippines, nor any grants, agreements, or other instruments executed by USAID, The Gavel learned.

The legislation was reviewed and endorsed by the committees on planning, research and innovation and people’s organization accreditation and on laws and rules both chaired by Councilor Ian Mark Q. Nacaya.