European Union Ambassador to Visit Mindoro Island to Strengthen Environmental and Community Initiatives
During the visit, Ambassador Véron will engage with the management staff of Mts. Iglit-Baco, a key site for biodiversity conservation and one of the country’s 114 legislated protected areas. Additionally, he will visit one of the Communal Agroforestry sites on the island and meet with staff from the Asean Center for Biodiversity (ACB), which also received EU support for the last ten years.
Ambassador Véron is also set to attend the turnover ceremony of oil spill booms -temporary floating barriers used to contain marine spills- to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Apo Reef Natural Park. This is to prevent any future disasters such as that which occurred last year with devastating oil spill. The Mindoro Island encompasses the Verde Island Passage and Mindoro Strait, both marine hotspots and key sources of livelihood for coastal communities. The new oil spill booms provided to Apo Reef Natural Park will be used to enhance the protection of the island’s rich marine biodiversity and the livelihoods dependent on this ecosystem.
The EU Delegation team will also meet with staff from the Mindoro Strait Sustainable and Equitable Tuna for Bankability (MS SETB), a WWF-Philippines project funded by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia Programme. MS SETB, locally known as Project Buhay, aims to strengthen sustainable fishing practices, elevate fish catch quality, improve cold-chain facilities –which will help improve fishermen’s income- all while piloting alternative income sources for coastal communities.
Finally, the visit will include community engagement sessions with the local women’s livelihood groups Samahang Mangingisdang Kababaihan (SAMAKA) Producers' Cooperative in Sablayan, the Pinagpalang Mangingisda ng San Nicolas Fisherfolk Association (PMSNFA), and the Ligaya Flying Fish Catchers and Workers Association (LFFCWA). These groups aim to introduce and support sustainable livelihoods in Occidental Mindoro and increase equity among women fisherfolks in coastal communities.
The EU’s support for these initiatives underscores its commitment to fostering sustainable development and environmental stewardship globally. Ambassador Véron’s visit to Mindoro Island is part of a broader effort to strengthen the partnership between the EU and the Philippines, paving the way for continued cooperation and meaningful action in the region.
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For more information, please contact:
Ms. Thelma GECOLEA