European Union Ambassador Luc Veron (center) with Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II (l-r)at the Bacolod Silay Airport Friday morning. *Ronnie Baldonado photo
The European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Véron, said on Friday, August 19, that he is discussing the advantages of adopting a circular economy with Negros Occidental officials.
Véron, who arrived in Negros Occidental Friday, met with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez, Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) and Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego, and is also set to meet with the other congressmen and local officials of the province.
“One of the things that we (in the EU) will adopt in the coming years is a circular economy and this is also something I’m here to discuss with the representatives of the LGUs,” said Veron, who is visiting Negros Occidental for the first time.
The EU Parliament says a circular economy involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson offers a fist-bump greeting to European Union Ambassador Luc Veron during the envoy’s courtesy call at the Capitol in Bacolod City this morning as Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II looks on.*Ronnie Baldonado photo
Véron said “this means when you conceptualize a product you think about the whole life of the product until it is no longer usable, and what kind of recycling can be done”.
The specific focus in the Philippines of the EU will be on the recycling of plastics, he said.
“This is an issue that was highlighted by the highest authorities of this country so we are fully in line with the preoccupation of the Philippine government,” he said.
The EU will help the Philippines in the recycling of plastics, he said.
“We think that in the European Union we have the knowhow to engage in meaningful partnerships with the private sector and also with the LGUs,” Véron said.
The envoy said he is visiting local government units in Negros Occidental to get to know the province.
Véron said he sure there is a lot of potential for economic ties between Negros Occidental and the EU states.
“We have a very broad agenda with the Republic of the Philippines, which involves trade and partnership in every aspect,” he said.
Véron said he is in Negros Occidental to watch the theater show, “Godo”, by the Maskara Theatre Ensemble at the University of St. La Salle on Saturday, August 20, as part of the Teatro Europa theater festival.*