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NAGA CITY Philippines (July 9, 2011) - The multimillion-dollar Naga River revitalization project  by the city government here gets a US$321,000 grant from the Cities Development Initiatives to Asia (CDIA) as technical assistance  in conducting pre-feasibility study.

Karin Eberle, CDIA team leader, said the approved grant for Naga City was the fastest approval so far since the funding agency was established in 2007 by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Germany, with additional funds from Sweden, Austria, Spain and Shanghai People’s Municipal Government.

“We’ve never experienced fast efficient process (but with Naga City),” Eberle mused, during a press conference last weekend at the Avenue Plaza Hotel here.

She mentioned Naga City’s track record in good governance and transparency practices with regards to the approval of the application for assistance to the revitalization project.

Eberle said the size of the city, city development plan, and disaster risk management plan were also considered in the approval of the application for technical assistance by the CDIA.

She also noted the importance of the river revitalization project to the cultural heritage of Naga City, one the five oldest settlements in the country established in 1575.

Eberle revealed, in a letter of approval sent to Mayor John Bongat dated Feb. 15, 2011, that the financing of the pre-feasibility study is covered by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammernarbeit (GIZ) funds at the disposal of CDIA.

She said the pre-feasibility study will deal with integrated concerns in river revitalization including drainage, solid waste disposal, water treatment facility and infrastructure.

Eberle disclosed the CDIA project assistance to Naga City is the second to be approved in the Philippines after Iloilo City which earned a similar assistance for its central terminal.

The pre-feasibility study of the Naga River revitalization project will be conducted by several foreign and local consultants who will finish the job within a six-month period.

Eberle pledged to continuously provide assistance to Naga City with regards to the financial component of the Naga River revitalization project.

It is expected that from the result of the pre-feasibility study specific concerns to revitalize Naga River can be packaged independently with detailed costing that can be offered to investors.

Covering a wide-range of concerns, the Naga River revitalization project aims to improve livelihood, reduce disaster casualties, promote environmental consciousness and tourism, enhance the river’s aesthetic and historical value and create alternative water-based transportation.