Report on the INVEST Support on the Launching of the Cities Development Initiative in INVEST Partner Cities: Batangas, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo

As part of its Year 1 Work Plan, INVEST assisted USAID in launching the Cities Development Initiative (CDI), a new program that aims to address the disparity in economic growth across geographical locations by assisting first-class cities to act on binding constraints to local economic development. The CDI Launch was formally unveiled in three partner cities of INVEST: Batangas, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. The launch was capped by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID and the concerned city governments. The CDI Launch in Iloilo City was held on March 2, 2012, and was attended by 41 participants, mostly composed of city officials, representatives from national government agencies, and the private sector. The launch was supported by INVEST, which provided financial assistance. In Batangas City, the CDI Launch was held on March 3, 2012, and was attended by 59 participants, mainly composed of representatives from the business sector, officials from national government agencies, and city officials. The launch was also supported by INVEST, which provided financial assistance. The CDI Launch in Cagayan de Oro City was held on March 4, 2012, and was attended by 130 participants, mostly composed of city officials, representatives from national government agencies, and the private sector. The launch was also supported by INVEST, which provided financial assistance. The CDI Launch in each city was marked by the signing of an MOU between USAID and the city government, as well as expressions of support from national government officials and private sector representatives. The launches were also attended by high-ranking officials, including the US Ambassador to the Philippines, who graced the event in Cagayan de Oro City. The CDI Launch was a significant event that formally unveiled the new and more integrated set of USAID assistance to Philippine cities. The expenses incurred for the CDI Launch in each city were as follows: P59,274.96 in Iloilo City, P74,980.17 in Batangas City, and P166,628.42 in Cagayan de Oro City. The launches were supported by INVEST, which provided financial assistance to the events. The CDI Launch was a significant step towards implementing the CDI in the three partner cities, which aims to address the disparity in economic growth across geographical locations by assisting first-class cities to act on binding constraints to local economic development. The CDI Launch was a collaborative effort between USAID, INVEST, and the city governments of Batangas, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. The launches were attended by high-ranking officials, including national government officials and private sector representatives, who expressed their support for the CDI. The CDI Launch was a significant event that formally unveiled the new and more integrated set of USAID assistance to Philippine cities, and marked the beginning of the implementation of the CDI in the three partner cities.