By Liza Agoot
BAGUIO CITY – Seventeen (17) Ambassadors to the Philippines from as many European Union (EU) member-countries have expressed satisfaction with the implementation of projects in the country their governments fund.
“Absolutely, the assessment in general terms is positive,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro said in a briefing during the last day of their three-day visit here Wednesday.
One of the projects is the Quezon Elementary Library HOB (Hooked on Books) while the others are focused on green economy, justice coordination, and children’s rights.
The visit here by the envoys was also aimed at exploring opportunities for further collaboration on other sectors like energy production. Aside from visiting projects fund, the envoys also visited Baguio’s City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Command Center and the Mansion House.
“We had a very productive discussion with Mayor (Benjamin) Magalong and his team, wherein we learned more about the city’s policies. This was complemented by a visit to the Command Center of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. We also visited the Green LGU project, that, as you may know, is being supported by the European Union. We were happy to see that Baguio City’s priorities very much reflect the priorities of the EU in those two critical areas,” Santoro said.
“From the discussions done, we think positively of the sound implementation of the priority areas which the EU is interested in,” he added.
Santoro said they are collaborating with the Philippine government in support of its transition towards a green economy and green growth, including circular economy, reducing waste, renewable energy and research.
Baguio City is the group’s first stopover and Santoro said they will be going to 10 more provinces to complete their visit to 60 local government units (LGUs).
EU has 27 member states. “EU member states decide together because we work together and we coordinate with priorities and we put together ideas that need implementation,” the envoy explained.
He said a PHP28 billion funding was generated from the collaboration of the EU member states in the Philippines under the “Team Europe” approach, with most of the initiative placed on activities to push green economy.
The partnership between members of the European Union and the Philippines has evolved and intensified in the last 60 years, from development cooperation and humanitarian aid, to a wide range of areas including green economy, space, security, and education.
“This is part of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world,” Santoro added. (PNA)
