Through its partnership with the FCDO-funded Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme (GCIEP), CoST the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative has been advancing practical measures to strengthen governance and transparency in infrastructure across the Philippines. Through this partnership, CoST is helping local authorities implement globally recognized standards and tools that enhance efficiency, accountability, and public trust. 

Earlier this month, Asia Regional Adviser Clara Feng and Technical Adviser Hamish Goldie-Scot led a familiarisation workshop in Baguio City, introducing CoST tools and standards as practical vehicles for improving infrastructure governance. The interactive session brought together city officials, including Mayor Benjamin Magalong, representatives from the British Embassy in Manila, and students of city administration. 

Participants explored the key features of the CoST approach and collectively identified gaps in current practices using CoST tools, helping to lay the groundwork for more targeted capacity-building. Following the workshop, individual sessions with City Government officials were scheduled to conduct needs assessments and build technical capacity. These activities support the city’s ongoing efforts to develop anti-bribery policies, strengthen internal controls, and promote transparency in procurement, contract management, and financial oversight. 

The CoST International Secretariat is also working closely with the City Government of Baguio to conduct a gap analysis as a first step towards an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification. This ISO certification is the international standard for Anti-Bribery Management Systems, providing a practical framework to prevent, detect, and address bribery through strengthened leadership controls, risk assessment, procedures, training, reporting, monitoring, and corrective actions. Baguio is aiming to become the first local government unit (LGU) in the Philippines to seek this certification from an accredited certifier—starting with infrastructure-related functions before expanding to other areas of management and administration. 

Alongside work in Baguio City, CoST held meetings in Manila, Philippines with representatives from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Department of Budget and Management, and the Secretariat of the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) coalition. This work took place as part of an Open Government Fellowship Programme for first-term mayors. This discussion also showcased CoST’s tools and standards, and how it supports governance challenges, and infrastructure delivery performance. It also explored aspects such as various data tools developed by CoST members,  

This collaboration demonstrates how CoST and GCIEP are translating global governance standards into local action, helping cities like Baguio take concrete steps toward more transparent and ethical infrastructure management. CoST’s work under the GCIEP programme spans multiple sectors, including climate-resilient urban water management, transit-oriented development, and energy infrastructure, with a focus on equipping local governments with the skills and systems needed to manage risks, prevent bribery, and promote ethical infrastructure delivery.