British ambassador to the Philippines and Palau, Laure Beaufils, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines resident representative, Dr. Selva Ramachandran, visited San Carlos in Negros Occidental Feb. 10, and learned about the city’s Biodiversity Actions and Landscape Approach for Nature Conservation (BALANCE) program.
Mayor Renato Gustilo said the diplomats’ recognition of the city’s BALANCE program “is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and community-driven conservation.”
“Being chosen for this initiative inspires us to continue protecting our natural resources while empowering our people,” Gustilo said in a statement, adding that he looks forward to the opportunities that this collaboration will bring for a greener, and more sustainable San Carlos.
The program was established as part of the city’s continued commitment to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, watershed protection, and the series of green spaces following the Negros Island Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2018-2028, the city had said, adding this will serve as the biodiversity framework of San Carlos.
The program aims to mainstream biodiversity programs and local government projects, and encourage schools to support the city’s solid waste and conservation programs.
Beaufils and Ramachandran, along with their staff and city officials, also visited Sipaway Island Feb. 10.
The visit focused on exploring San Carlos’ grassroots eco-tourism initiatives through the Sipaway Eco-Tourism Workers Association, which has been chosen as a prospective project for possible UNDP funding, highlighting community-driven programs that showcase the island’s potential for sustainable development, the city said.
Beaufils said in a post that her country is working with UNDP, the province, and the city “to support biodiversity and invest in wildlife and forest corridors.”
Also present during the envoy’s historic visit to San Carlos were British Embassy Economic and Climate counsellor Lloyd Cameron, Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BioFin) project manager Anabelle Plantilla, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, city officials, Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. executive director Lisa Paguntalan-Marte, 1st District Board Member Rommel Debulgado, Provincial Environment Management Office head Julie Ann Bedrio, and representatives from UNDP, PhilBio, and BioFin. ||
