ILOILO CITY -- Top European Union (EU) diplomats are going to Guimaras Islands for the first time to participate in the local Manggahan festival on April 15 to 16.
European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen together with the Romanian Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Mihai Sion and German Deputy Ambassador Michael Hasper will be in Guimaras to have a taste of the world famous mangoes and celebrate with the local people on their yearly mango festival.
The diplomats are also joining "Sikaran" (Bike Tour) in Jordan, Guimaras on Saturday, April 16, in their bid to reiterate environment advocacy of the European Union. The participation to the bike tour is in keeping with the 25th year anniversary of the EU Delegation in the Philippines.
"Sikaran" is a bike tour covering up to 25 kilometers organized by the Jordan municipal government together with Guimaras provincial government and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University. It is being held in connection with the "Manggahan" Mango Festival.
On Friday morning, April 15, EU Ambassador Jessen and his colleagues are meeting with Provincial Governor Samuel Gumarin, Iloilo City Administrator Norlito Bautista, Jordan Mayor Cresente Chavez Jr, mango industry stakeholders, the press and other local government officials in Western Visayas.
The EU diplomats are enthusiastic to participate in the "Sikaran" as a pre-Earth Day advocacy initiative to call on all stakeholders to help in countering climate change and to meet with mango industry stakeholders to see how to further boost EU-Philippines' trade particularly to increase access of Guimaras mangoes to international markets by way of adherence to intellectual property rights and to geographical indications' standards.”
The EU recently committed to lowering carbon emissions some 40 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This binding commitment forms part of the EU package implemented in the framework of the first-ever universal global climate deal which 195 nations, including the EU and the Philippines, adopted at the Paris Conference last December 2015.
In the Philippines, the EU has been supporting various energy efficiency actions under the SWITCH Project. Technical advice was provided to support the Philippines National Roadmap for Energy Efficiency which aims to generate 30 percent energy savings in the Philippines by 2030 compared to the business as usual scenario.
Targeted energy conservation measures for the private sector were also funded by the EU, including tourism establishments operating in remote areas where electricity is less reliable and costly.