Annual Performance Report, October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019: Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project

The project was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and focused on improving local capacity in inclusive and resilient urban development. The SURGE Project enhanced the training modules on Climate Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (DRR-CCA). The user-friendly html-based training module featured improvements on the content, style, and format of HLURB's existing guidebooks and toolkits. The enhanced training modules were targeted for nationwide use through the HLURB system. As a result of the Project's assistance in mainstreaming DRR-CCA in development planning, Tagbilaran and General Santos were able to integrate DRR-CCA in their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and secure approval of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). The Urban Development Learning Centers were successfully established in the University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo City, Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro City. The partner universities signed respective partnerships for academic cooperation with U.S.-based Golden Gate University (GGU), resulting in the improvement of existing and development of new degrees granting urban development programs in these universities. The SURGE Project also assisted in the reduction and avoidance of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The cities of Tagbilaran and Zamboanga developed their community-level GHG management plans, while General Santos and Legazpi completed their entity and community-level GHG inventories. Furthermore, the project collaborated with USAID's Climate Change Adaptation, Thought Leadership, and Assessments (ATLAS) Project to develop an improved monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for resilience in Cagayan de Oro City. The M&E system will measure implementation of Cagayan de Oro's Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP). The SURGE Project also focused on water and sanitation rehabilitation and economic recovery activities in Marawi City and surrounding areas. The project implemented various activities, including the restoration of livelihoods of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and support for economic recovery in Marawi/Lanao. The construction of trading centers in Marawi and its environs was also undertaken to promote economic growth and development in the area. The project's accomplishments were recognized through the establishment of partnerships with various stakeholders, including local government units, universities, and private sector organizations. The SURGE Project's efforts in strengthening urban resilience for growth with equity in the Philippines contributed to the country's development goals and objectives.