Remarks by Roger Carlson, Acting Deputy Mission Director, Awarding of Certificate in Public Management - Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Master in Public Management Program

Thursday, July 9, 2015

[As Prepared]

Acknowledgements.

Good afternoon!

It is an honor for me to be here today on behalf of the U.S. Government. Today’s event is a re-affirmation of our commitment to work together and support the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

The Philippines has experienced challenging times especially for those affected by natural calamities. Our experience with Super Typhoon Yolanda was a reminder on how disasters can impact our lives and hinder progress. As the Philippines is frequented by typhoons and other natural calamities, it is important that the national and local governments plan and prepare to minimize vulnerabilities and remain resilient.

The Development Academy of the Philippines’s Masters in Public Management program, supported by the U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is specifically focused on capacity building at the local government unit level. As we know from established global frameworks, the higher the human capacity, particularly in planning, the lower the vulnerability to climate change and related natural disasters.

The U.S. Government is a strong advocate of capacity building because we believe that enhanced skills and abilities will allow the realization of development goals and achievement of sustainable results. I am here with you today to support your efforts at promoting good governance at the local level with emphasis on sound development planning and effective disaster management through capacity building.

I am pleased to note that one of the major goals of this masters program is to help LGUs design their five-year Area Development Plan that is complementary to the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan. The program will also help LGUs update their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), which will help leaders and communities to plan for their future and address challenges to broad-based and inclusive growth, such as those posed by natural disasters.

The U.S. Government will continue to work with you to help plan for better and more resilient communities.

I hope that all of you will remain committed to good governance and I wish you success in your efforts to rebuild your local governments.

Thank you and good day.

Issuing Country