USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project 3rd Quarter Progress Report, April to June 2021

The project focuses on improving local capacity in inclusive and resilient urban development, improving the environment for local economic development, and expanding economic connectivity and access between urban and rural areas. In the third quarter of Year 6, the SURGE Project concentrated its efforts on continued technical assistance to the Cities Development Initiative (CDI) cities' initiatives on climate and disaster risk assessment, climate change mitigation, and the strengthening of city-university partnerships. The project has already led to 1,612.54 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in four CDI cities: Legazpi City, Tagbilaran City, Zamboanga City, and General Santos City. The SURGE Project also continued its support for its academic partners in the CDI cities, including the launch of the Masters in Public Sector Innovations (MPSI) program from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in Cagayan de Oro City. The program was developed with assistance from SURGE and Golden Gate University of San Francisco, California. Additionally, SURGE worked with two of its university partners in establishing drinking-water laboratories: Holy Name University in Bohol province, and Mindanao State University in General Santos City. The project also extended assistance to its partner water service providers as they drafted, developed, and sought approval for geographic information system (GIS) databases for their Public Service Continuity Plans (PSCP), water security master plans, water demand management strategies, and water safety plans. SURGE interventions have also opened avenues for CDI local government units (LGUs) and residents to work with national government and private sector partners for financing, notably in the promotion of household financing options to residents of General Santos City who will have to retrofit or upgrade their existing home facilities. The SURGE Project has made significant progress in improving the resilience and growth of the eight CDI cities, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the establishment of drinking-water laboratories, and the promotion of household financing options. The project's continued technical assistance and support for its academic partners and water service providers are expected to have a lasting impact on the development of the CDI cities. In terms of COVID-19 response assistance, the SURGE Project provided support to CDI cities and Marawi City, including the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the provision of technical assistance on contact tracing and case management. The project also worked with national government partners to provide support to affected communities. The SURGE Project's recovery work on water and sanitation rehabilitation activities in Marawi City focused on the restoration of water and sanitation services, including the repair of damaged water treatment plants and the installation of new water distribution systems. The project also worked with local government units and residents to develop a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of water and sanitation services in Marawi City.