The Bacolod City Government has strengthened its commitment to climate-resilient and sustainable urban growth through new agreements with international development partners Clean Air Asia and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Mayor Greg Gasataya received representatives from the partner organizations during the Urban-Act Knowledge Handover ceremony at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center. The event marked the official transfer of technical studies and planning resources generated under the Integrated Urban Climate Action for Low Carbon and Resilient Cities (Urban-Act) initiative.
The handed-over assets comprise climate risk assessment reports, policy briefs, and planning toolkits created collaboratively by Clean Air Asia, GIZ Philippines, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Stuttgart.
City officials plan to utilize these inputs to update core local frameworks, including the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), and the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
Gasataya, along with members of the City Council led by Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella, formally accepted the planning materials. Addressing attendees, the mayor highlighted that the event represents an ongoing trajectory rather than a final conclusion.
“We don’t consider this as an end to the partnership but we are looking at this as a jumping board for more and bigger partnerships for Bacolod City,” Gasataya said.
The mayor expressed gratitude to the involved institutions for dedicating time, technical capabilities, and resources toward strengthening Bacolod’s urban planning framework.
He noted that the initiative also enhanced the technical proficiency of city personnel, equipping them with valuable skills for future municipal projects.
As part of the program, Gasataya and Clean Air Asia Deputy Executive Director Glynda Bathan-Baterina executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate on air quality management, clean energy, sustainable transit, and urban development.
Additionally, the city signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the deployment of AirGradient air quality monitoring equipment. The sensors will allow local authorities to track key environmental metrics, including temperature, carbon dioxide levels, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
City officials stated that these combined efforts will strengthen Bacolod’s capacity to leverage scientific data and international partnerships to build a climate-responsive, resilient municipality.