MEDCo-supported, Ongoing Programs and Projects

The TAG-3 is a two-year project supported by USAID and covering 9 cities and 30 municipalities in Mindanao. Its overall goal is to strengthen local governance and mechanisms for conflict resolution and local economic development in Mindanao cities and municipalities through the following: (a) Improve the overall business environment and increase the competitiveness of cities in Mindanao though better governance; (b) Institutionalize good governance agenda in Mindanao municipal governments; (c) Provide models of good governance tools and practices; (d) Measure improvements in the quality of business registration and real property tax administration of city governments; (e) Strengthen public-private partnerships in Mindanao cities; and, (f) Increase the availability of reading materials in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.

Aside from the technical assistance to local governments, the project also includes development of manuals on TAG processes, books distribution and the development of service standards on business permits and licensing and real property tax administration. TAG-3 is being implemented by The Asia Foundation with funding from the USAID.

TAG's Progress to date:

Among the accomplishments of the program are the following:

• Provided direct technical assistance to nine (9) Mindanao cities to improve the overall business environment, increase their competitiveness, and increase city revenues for additional services and projects.
• Developed service standards in at least two (2) service areas (business registration and real property tax administration), to assess the performance of local government service providers.
• Provided direct technical assistance to 30 conflict-affected municipalities in Mindanao to improve local governance operations and institutionalize consultative and participatory processes for more efficient, open, and transparent accountable local governments.
• Developed Manual on TAG Processes which contains tested tools and processes that will assist interested local governments to undertake governmental reforms, improve local government operations, engage citizens in governance processes, and achieve business friendly regulatory results. Likewise, it also contains specific experiences and approaches adopted by various local governments in undertaking reform processes.
• Capacitated the City Coalitions for Transparent Accountable Governance (CCTAG) in undertaking revenue-generating activities, raise and leverage funds from the local business community and other sources.
• Distributed over 13 million books and journals, as a contribution to national development, international understanding, and English-language literacy.