Local Government Unit of San Carlos City
The Pitch
The Local Government Unit of San Carlos City created a Master Development Plan to guide the city’s sustainable development. They worked with communities to tailor projects to each neighborhood, addressing residents’ unique needs and concerns.
The Problem
Climate change and food shortages are threatening communities in the Philippines, creating a need for cities to create sustainable development strategies that guide them towards safer, climate-ready futures.
The Process
- Adopted a sustainability framework, the Master Development Plan, to balance economic growth and environmental protection in the city; the framework incorporates both rural and urban areas and all community sectors
- Established a non-profit, the San Carlos Development Board, Inc., to coordinate implementation of the Master Development Plan
- Incorporated solid waste management, energy development, special economic zones, rural growth centers, tourism, healthcare, social housing, job creation, reforestation and aquatic resource management into the Master Development Plan
- Sourced funds from the private sector and NGOs, removing the need for contributions from the local government
- Conducted consultations with communities and stakeholders to form barangay development plans
The Impact
- Streamlined the process by creating one body, the San Carlos Development Board, Inc., to oversee initiatives
- Put sustainable natural resource management back into the hands of residents
- Ensured that sustainable development plans met communities’ needs and improved quality of life through collaboration and consultation with residents
- Ensures a thriving future for the city by creating jobs for local residents, improving their access to public services, enhancing the natural environment and building a climate-ready city
