Tourism Key Players Pilot Test Tourism Loop

Key players in the tourism industry are test-piloting the Cebu-Bohol-Camiguin-Cagayan de Oro Tourism Loop, all of which benefit from access to the Mactan International Airport in Cebu. The Tourism Loop is part of the Bohol Tourism Action Plan, which includes such partners as USAID and the German development agency, GIZ. Tourism is a high-growth priority under the Partnership For Growth, and through this initiative communities can see significant local economic impact through higher spending and longer length of stay by visitors.

USAID/Philippines Mission Director Gloria D. Steele (center, first row) with Bohol government officials and stakeholders led by Bohol Representative Rene L. Relampagos (First District) and Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto during the launch of the Bohol Tourism Action Plan on July 26, 2012.

President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address Highlights Development Achievements

On July 23, 2012, President Benigno Aquino III delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA)
at a joint session of the Philippine Congress, reporting on his administration’s achievements on the
economy, education, land reform and defense, and citing the success of his crusade against corruption.
The Philippines’ GDP grew by 6.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 – the highest growth in the
Southeast Asian region, and second only to China in all of Asia. The 2012 SONA Technical Report
makes reference to accomplishments in PFG-related areas.

The goal of the PFG is to assist the Philippines achieve higher, sustained and more inclusive growth.

U.S. Treasury Assistance for Centralized Payroll

U.S. Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technical Assistance Larry McDonald visited the Philippines on July 10-11 to help launch the budget advisor's engagement and explore other possible Treasury technical assistance. The budget advisor will work for a two-year period with officials and staff of the Philippine Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management on implementation of the National Payroll System. The initiative will support development of a government-wide payroll and personnel management system to standardize processes and disburse salaries directly from the Treasury to employee accounts. The system will facilitate improved budget execution through enhanced cash forecasting and cost reductions in payroll administration.  Additionally, intermittent advisors are available to assist the Philippine government in the areas of purchase cards and rationalization of pensions, with a two-week assistance mission on pensions completed in August. Treasury's technical assistance supports Partnership for Growth efforts to improve expenditure management.

Court of Appeals Expands Automated Case Management System

USAID and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative have been working with the Philippine
Court of Appeals to expand its automated case management information system (CMIS), and to help the
court reach its “zero backlog” goal by this year. Before CMIS was created, litigants waited many years for
decisions by the Court. During the past two years under CMIS, rulings are promulgated within the one-
year time period required by the Constitution. The Court of Appeals handles 90% of all appealed cases,
including disputes from quasi-judicial agencies such as the Intellectual Property Office and the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

USAID Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg witnesses how the kiosk station of the CMIS allows
the public to view actual dockets and decisions
of the Philippine Court of Appeals

USAID Launches Cities Development Initiative in Mindanao

As part of its continuing thrust to enable cities to become engines of broad-based and inclusive economic
growth, U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. and USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele launched
the Cities Development Initiative (CDI) in Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao. In attendance
were national and local government officials, the private sector and civil society groups. Cagayan de
Oro is the third city (along with Batangas and Iloilo) selected by USAID for its innovative approach to
programming in support of the U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Growth. The CDI will help unlock and
maximize the city’s growth potential through significant collaboration in areas such as higher education,
energy, environment, health systems, and economic growth and investment.

U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. (extreme right) and USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele (2nd from left) launched the Cities Development Initiative in Cagayan de Oro City with government officials led by Mayor Vicente Emano (2nd from right) on June 29. Also present was Department of Trade and Industry Zenaida Maglaya (extreme left).