USAID Environment Office Deputy Chief meets with Puerto Princesa City environment stakeholders

On August 15 to 17, new USAID/Philippines Environment Office Deputy Chief Paul Seong and USAID/Philippines Urban Planning Specialist Marian Cruz-Navata conducted a validation visit of USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project activities in Puerto Princesa City. USAID/SURGE Component Team Lead Dr. Pedcris Orencio described the interventions of USAID/SURGE in climate risk disaster assessment, water demand management, septage management operations, and the crafting of the septage facility feasibility study, the Local Sustainable Sanitation Plan, and the community-level barangay disaster risk reduction plan and contingency action plan. The USAID team also met with Mayor Lucilo Bayron, and Mr. Seong commended the mayor for the city’s commitment to various USAID projects. Through USAID/SURGE, the city government was able to streamline its business permit ad licensing processes, set up a real property asset management system linked to a geographic information system, operationalize its Tourism Development Plan and establish the Puerto Princesa-Palawan Seaweed Network. USAID/SURGE presented its continuing technical assistance for Year 4 project implementation, highlighting water safety planning, climate risk disaster assessment and the barangay disaster risk reduction management and contingency planning.