Activities (clockwise): Validation workshop, visit to Cabra Island, tour of Lubang environmental center and organic fertilizer plant, interaction with students, visit to demo farm, discussion with local officials.
Lubang, Occidental Mindoro: Three delegates from the Municipality of Ebhausen, Germany made a reciprocal visit to their partner municipality in the Philippines, the Municipality of Lubang in Occidental Mindoro last January 30 to February 3, 2017 as part of the 5th Phase Municipal Climate Partnerships project.
The project aims for partner municipalities to have a Joint Program of Action in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation. For the program to have a specific target and measure, delegates were toured around the Municipality of Lubang to see its present state. The tour walked the visitors through Lubang’s implemented, on-going, and planned municipal projects and activities to encourage insights about its current situation as a 4th class municipality. Through this reciprocal visit, the visitors also experienced the island life. The visit delved on assessing the situational reality of the Municipality of Lubang and zero-in on the sectors that needs attention.
Results of the workshop from the initial visit of Lubang delegates to Ebhausen last October 2016 were validated on this reciprocal visit; particularly the working structure and the focal points of the partnership. The working structure identified the individuals, offices, organizations and institutions that may be involved in the project. The municipal council will draft an ordinance to create official mechanisms and structure to support the project.
Identified focus points wherein municipalities of Lubang and Ebhausen can design and implement projects in relation to this partnership include agriculture, technology, and farm equipment, renewable energies, and awareness campaign on climate change and its impacts.
Activities in these focal points are envisioned to be carried out in both municipalities by utilizing existing projects and structures with the climate partnership projects as complimentary activities.
Started in 2011, the Municipal Climate Partnerships Project is currently in its 5th Phase which involves partnerships between German municipalities and municipalities in South and Southeast Asia. It is implemented by the Service Agency Communities in One World of Engagement Global in cooperation with the Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Agenda 21 NRW e.V. (LAG 21 NRW) and funded by the Federal Ministry for the Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
ICLEI Southeast Asia Secretariat is the partner organization in the Philippines with three (3) of its member local government units participating in the project – Municipality of Lubang, Municipality of Dumangas and the Science City of Muñoz.
