By: Reyna Omictin

A European Union delegation to the Philippines Program Manager made up of Eric Galvin and party visited Tubigon to discuss and review ecoBudget with Municipal Officials last November 29 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall. Dr. Nestor M. Pestelos, project manager of DReAMS project, rationalized the purpose of their visit as an evaluation of the ecoBudget projects of the municipality, saying that they want “to see actual projects on the ground.” Pestelos said that the project is in good hands due to the proper management of the Local Government Unit, giving credits to the Municipal Planning and Development Officer Engr. Noel C. Mendaña. Mendaña then discussed the projects and development of the municipality as far as ecoBudget is concerned. He enumerated various actions of the municipality to address environmental issues such as waste management, agricultural concerns, marine preservation, and reforestation.

Moreover, Mendaña added that several other ecoBudget related projects are being implemented in the LGU such as the rehabilitation and reconstruction of impounding and diversion dams, mangrove reforestation, plantation of fruit and timber trees, small independent water system for barangays, the improvement of solid waste management containment facility, Information, Education, Communication Campaign for climate change and degraded marine habitat. Galvin, who is a representative of the EU’s delegation to the Philippines, was gratified for the warm welcome by the officials of the municipality, especially the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, during his short visit. He further stated that it was rewarding for him to come and see the project firsthand and witness its development.

Galvin added that it is a great professional work of the LGU for using good tools in identifying the proper actions to be undertaken to address environmental issues. Furthermore, Galvin said that what is important is to see the money of the European taxpayers being used in a good ways, in delivering basic services to the community. He was also awed on how pilot projects can become a mainstream project. When asked on how these projects benefit them, Vice Mayor Virgilio C. Fortich explained that it is very beneficial for them as lawmakers to see the satisfaction of the people by the projects and the services provided to them by the LGU. Lastly, Fortich affirmed that as elected officials, their main objective is to set tools such as the DReAMS and ecoBudget project in reducing the level of poverty in the community, to deliver basic services to the people and lastly, to leave a wonderful legacy to the future generations of Tubigon.