SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — The European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines Ambassador H. E. Luc Veron recently visited the municipality of Sablayan as part of his state visit to the country and affirms his commitment for sustainable development.
The EU, the provincial and municipal governments “confirmed their commitment to various forms of cooperation for sustainable development,” by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), a press release from the municipal government of Sablayan said.
Among the signatories were the EU represented by Ambassador Veron, Sablayan Mayor Walter Marquez and Vice Mayor Edwin N. Mintufor the Sablayan municipal government;, Provincial Administrator Muriel M. Reguinding representing Governor Eduardo Gadiano for the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro, and Congressional District Representative Leody F. Tarriela.
Sablayan local government highlighted the EU’s contributions to the community, which include efforts to protect the Tamaraw or Bubalus Mindorensis— a critically endangered bovine endemic to Mindoro, and providing welfare aid for the Mangyan-Taobuid natives.
Additionally, a ceremony was held for the turnover of ₱1 million worth of oil spill booms to protect Apo Reef, one of the Protected Areas in the province and the second-largest contiguous reef in the world. The intervention is from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines under the SwitchAsia Program funded by the EU.
According to LGU Sablayan, this strengthens the readiness of the local government in case an oil spill strikes the reef as international shipping lines pass near the area, learning from the recent oil spill incident in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
The delegates also visited the Community Fish Landing Center. The facility stores the tuna supply for the EU and other countries. It also serves as a center for bottled tuna, squid, and lamayong flying fish production supported by the WWF, and provincial, and the municipal governments.
The EU Delegation to the Philippines, as explained on their official website, is “one of the 140 diplomatic missions that represent the EU across the globe.”
It aims to strengthen EU-Philippine relations through developing EU-Philippine dialogues, promoting strong economic and trade ties, supporting the government in its peace efforts, and working with the Philippine government to reach the Sustainable Development Goals or the Global Goals. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA-Occidental Mindoro/With report from LGU Sablayan)
