Authorized by Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 0079-A Series of 2021, Pilar Mayor Carolyn C. Sy-Reyes signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Technical Support Partnership and Data Sharing Arrangement with Action for Economic Reforms (AER) represented by its Chief of Party, COLLABDev Project, Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez on June 30, 2021 at 3:00 in the afternoon thru a virtual ceremonial signing which ran for thirty (30) minutes.

 

          AER is in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which is focused in the implementation of Coalescing Organizations towards Locally-Led Actions to Boost Development (COLLABDev) which seeks to promote data-driven approaches in local policy development, and work with local government units(LGUs), state universities and colleges and civil society organizations through technical support partnerships.

 

          COLLABDev project will employ data and evidence to advance development in ten sites located in Sorsogon, Pilar was chosen to be one of the pilot sites in a letter from AER dated April 20, 2021. Pilar considered the project as in line with its priorities, it positively acted on preparing the Letter of Intent. From then on, the Inception Meeting followed in May 31, 2021 with the core team designated by the Mayor to be a part of the project and all other activities were conducted as required. The partnership was formally made when the MOA Signing was administered by AER virtually. The Mayor, the Vice Mayor, the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator and Data Protection Officer on the part of Pilar attended the said activity.

 

          Challenged by the gaps identified in the provision of intervention programs and driven by the necessity to respond to the need for the inclusion of civil society organizations in local government undertaking, Pilar perceived that COLLABDev project will empower the LGU to try new, unique approaches to address development challenges in the communities. The project will guide the LGU on data collection process, data management and policies, data analytics and attitude, data driven policymaking and partnerships that will give opportunities and constraints in terms of data-driven development.