Bacolod City – The European Union is looking into a possible collaboration with the provincial government of Negros Occidental on forest protection and climate change mitigation.
This was among the topics discussed yesterday by Luc Veron, EU Ambassador to the Philippines, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City. He was accompanied by EU officials Robert Leon and Michiko Quinto.
Veron said he also discussed with Gov. Lacson and other Negros Occidental officials the “circular economy” of the future, which basically concerns the production, consumption and post-consumption cycles of products.
When you conceptualize a product, you should think the of whole life of a product, including the time until the product is no longer usable, and what type of product recycling, he said.
There will also be a specific focus in the Philippines, in the disposition of plastics, in the next few years, an issue highlighted by the highest authority in the Philippines, the EU diplomat said.
Veron said that EU will be teaching methods in the disposal of plastics, in partnership with the private sector and the Philippines government as well.
He also believes that there is a huge potential in trade and investment partnership between the country and EU member-countries.
Veron attended the Europe Theater Festival at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City over-the-weekend and is also scheduled to meet with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)