The Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) approved the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s application (DILG) for the project preparation study (PPS) on the Local Devolution and Disasater Risk Reduction and Management Program in the Philippines. CDIA commissioned PRIMEX for the assignment on 15 June 2021 through its Agence Française de Développement (AFD)-European Union (EU) window.
The study envisions to build consensus with the DILG and agree on a policy dialogue that will be based on specific policies and a results matrix. The results will serve as the backbone of an AFD Local Devolution and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LD-DRRM) Program in the Philippines. The study also aims to assist AFD and DILG in designing an LD-DRRM Plan that will be suitable for AFD financing in 2022.
PRIMEX Director and Senior Adviser, Ms. Elvira C. Ablaza, was jubilant since this is the first contract of PRIMEX with AFD.
“This project is a milestone for us as PRIMEX enters its 32nd year in management consulting in August. We have a solid track record in doing DRRM projects for different clients, but this is special since it is our first with AFD. I am confident that our consultant team led by Mr. Emmanuel Torrente will meet the expectations of CDIA, AFD, and DILG.”
Ms. Elvira C. Ablaza, PRIMEX Director and Senior Adviser
The project aims to help build the DRRM capacity of DILG and local government units and support ongoing reform programs. This includes the implementation of relevant interventions in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP), 2011-2028. Specifically, one of the NDRRMP outcomes is for DRRM and climate change adaptation to be mainstreamed and integrated into national, sectoral, regional, and local development policies, plans, and budgets. At the local level, DRRM and climate change adaptation need to be mainstreamed in the LGUs’ provincial development and physical framework plans, comprehensive development plans, and comprehensive land use plans.
The PRIMEX consultant team was immediately mobilized and attended a virtual project kick-off meeting on 15 June 2021 with AFD, CDIA, and DILG. OIC-Director Vivian Suansing of the DILG-Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) welcomed PRIMEX as DILG’s new partner in conducting the PPS. She also acknowledged the AFD and CDIA’s support in strengthening the institutional capacity of DILG on DRRM and climate change adaptation, as well as in enhancing the LGU’s competencies. She shared their anticipation of the full devolution and rollout of the Mandanas Ruling, which will require a long-term capacity development program for LGUs.
The PRIMEX consultant team comprises six national specialists and one international specialist, Ms. Ann Lily Uvero, Public Administration Specialist, who was engaged through SOGEROM, PRIMEX’s French associate for this project. Apart from Mr. Torrente, the other PRIMEX consultants are: Ms. Catherine Vidar, Deputy Team Leader/Decentralization and Governance Specialist; Dr. Antonio Avila, Jr., Financial and Fiscal Management Specialist; Ms. Abee Generao, Institutional and Capacity Development Specialist; Ms. Eden Garde, Social and Gender Specialist; and Architect Oscar Molina, Climate and Urban Development Specialist.