PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Through the support of the Australian Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines, represented by its Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrié, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Province of Agusan del Sur, represented by its Governor Santiago Cane Jr. This MOU was signed in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur in the scope of the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities Against Disasters and Climate Change (SHIELD) Programme to accelerate resilience-building efforts at the local level.

The MOU signing signifies the commitment of the Provincial Government to build provincial economic resilience by prioritizing the development of basic social services which can lead to a better quality of life among communities in the province.

“We have already made great strides in creating secure communities. But with SHIELD, we can build more communities that are adaptive to changes of time, responsive to the demands of the situation, and resilient to abrupt and unpredictable climatic conditions. This strategic partnership, made possible by the generous support of the Australian Government, will undoubtedly create effective initiatives that will strengthen our disaster and climate resilience,” said Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr.

The Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur expressed their intent to prioritize sustainable agri-forestry, tourism, and enterprise growth. Other areas included in their primary agenda are accessible basic quality services, well-managed natural and cultural resources, and stronger and safer settlement areas. To better assist Agusan del Sur on their thrust to reduce poverty, the SHIELD Programme will include capacity development on resilient value chain systems, business continuity of women’s organizations, and community enterprises, including those participating in the province’s upland sustainable agriculture project, to achieve local economic development.

The SHIELD Programme will also guide Agusan del Sur in crafting and implementing their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) as part of their strategic preparation for future disasters to prevent loss of livelihood and to save more lives. Through sharing of knowledge and extending technical expertise, SHIELD will aid the provincial government in their risk-based planning and data-driven implementation in the coming years. The province’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) will also be expanded to help Micro, small & Medium Enterprises adapt better to the changing economic landscape.

“SHIELD, through underscoring local resilience, will help Agusan del Sur move further on the scale of resilience against natural disasters. This programme will also become a knowledge sharing and expertise exchange platform to support the agenda of Agusan del Sur to achieve provincial, institutional, and community resilience. This Memorandum of Understanding signing is an important first step towards a long and fruitful cooperation,” shared by Edwine Carrie, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Philippines.

As an initiative to strengthen the disaster and climate resilience of targeted local governments in the Philippines, the Australian Government has invested PHP 630 million (AUD18 million) for the implementation of the SHIELD Programme. This programme will be implemented through a multistakeholder approach by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, UNDP Philippines, and its consortium partners UN-Habitat, Philippine Business for Social Progress, National Resilience Council, and the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society.

The SHIELD Programme will also underscore gender equality, disability, and social inclusion in the context of climate resilience-building in their technology-based and data-driven strategies to help strengthen local resilience across provinces in the Philippines.