European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen and other ambassadors of several EU member states will join the group of bikers to cycle throughout half of Palawan to promote cycling to promote a healthy and climate-friendly lifestyle.
In an interview, Jessen admitted that he was very much excited to go on a bike tour dubbed as “Sikad Palawan” from El Nido traveling through Taytay, Roxas, and finally to Puerto Princesa spanning 200 kilometers from April 28 to 30, 2018.
“Next week, ambassadors from Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Romania, and myself will go on a bike tour…to promote the curbing of greenhouse gas emissions and to promote biking as a healthy and climate-friendly lifestyle,” Jessen said in a press conference this week.
Aside from Jessen and his family, personalities who will participate in the biking tour include Belgian Ambassador Michel Goffin and his family, German Ambassador Gordon Kricke, the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of France Laurent Legodec and the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Romania Mihai Sion.
Sikad Palawan is an offshoot of Padyak para sa Kalikasan, a yearly bike tour to Irawan watershed in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, which was shown on the sidelines of the Cine Europa.
Last year the EU member states signed a manifesto of support to Palawan Government in raising environmental awareness.
The “Sikad Palawan” is one of the many activities of the EU under its more than a long month Viva Europa 2018, a celebration of European cultures to give the Filipinos some awareness about the European culture and history.
From April to June, Filipinos will get the chance to experience a European Cultural Summer which will showcase the best European dance, film, literature, music, sports, and visual arts.
“The aim of this year’s European Year of Cultural Heritage is to encourage more people to discover Europe’s cultural heritage that we have in Europe in cultural areas, and to reinforce the sense of shared history and culture,” the EU envoy said.
Jessen said that through Viva Europa, the EU want to strengthen people-to-people links.
“Cultural diplomacy is one of the key areas where we want to focus on a better understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures,” Jessen said.
Jessen said the Viva Europa is composed of joint EU activities on one hand and individual activities from the Embassies of Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Alliance Francaise de Manille, and the Goethe Institut and EUNIC.
“Viva Europa is also an occasion to showcase our shared cultural values with the Philippines,” he said.
On May 12, children will be placed in the spotlight through the “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” initiative, the EU Delegations will provide the best of European storytelling, games, languages, film, music, and arts and crafts to disadvantaged children in the Museo Pambata.
There will be a workshop and on-the-spot drawing contest for children on May 24.
On May 26 to 27, the Far Eastern University will hold a nationwide choir competition.
On May 30, musicians from Austria, the Philippines, Spain and Sweden will play together.
As this developed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has renewed its partnership agreement with three business establishments within the Sarangani Bay protected seascape.
The agency’s Region 12 director, Nilo Tamoria, signed the memorandum of agreement for joint efforts in the management, protection and conservation of the protected area with Bayani Fredeluces, senior vice president of RD Fishing Industry Inc.; Engracio Sestina, vice president and general manager of Philbest Canning Corp., and Dr. Delfin Besquillo Jr., owner of Coco Beach Resort.
Under the arrangemenet, the department and business enterprises shall jointly manage, protect and conserve as well as develop and enhance the resources potentials of the seascape for the benefit and enjoyment of the communities and the general public.
The companies shall implement all programs, projects and activities identified in the comprehensive development and management plan, which was prepared in accordance with the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act.
“The DENR will strictly monitor the compliance of business establishments and the tourism business providers to environmental laws. We will be issuing notice of violations to those who would violate environmental laws,” Tamoria said.
“We had conducted appraisal/re-appraisal of the existing land being occupied by them and the improvement and structures introduced. Based on the re-assessment report, we favorably endorsed to SBPS-Protected Area Management Board, through a resolution, the renewal of the MoA for special uses within SBPS,” seascape protected area superintendent Iskak Dipatuan said.