The Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) together with Davao City is among the only 10 local government units (LGUs) nationwide that have been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to be considered for the 60-million Euro grant for local circular economy, solid waste management, and climate change mitigation measures.
The online report of the Presidential Communications Operations (PCO) dated August 2, says that the DENR recently signed a joint declaration for the Green Economy Program in the Philippines during the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week.
Aside from Samal and Davao City other LGUs being considered Euro grant included Baguio City, Pasig City, Quezon City, Caloocan City, as well as Ormoc City, Metro Iloilo and the islands of Palawan and Siargao.
“The 60 million (euro) grant is an offer by the EU (European Union) principally for the purpose that you just mentioned. The details of which still have to be worked out and defended at the NEDA-ICC (National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Committee). So, we’re in the process of actually putting the necessary documentation together,” Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
Yulo-Loyzaga said that DENR targets to have all necessary documentation be ready for assessment by the NEDA-ICC by November this year.
According to the Secretary, the DENR has picked the LGUs “because they are the frontliners in solid waste management efforts in the country, particularly in controlling methane releases from solid waste landfills”.
Meanwhile, PIA Davao del Norte previously reported that the Island Garden City of Samal was chosen as a candidate City to the SMART ASEAN Green Cities Programme dedicated to foster the development of funding and financing solutions to implement smart green city projects.
The City was represented by Engr. Kim Joshua Garciano of CENRO Samal who showcased the city’s innovative strategies in coping with environmental urban challenges during the first Smart Green ASEAN Cities (SGAC) City Windows Series entitled “Making Capital Work for Cities: Architecture and Instruments”, in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 6–8, 2022.
Smart Green ASEAN Cities (SGAC) Programme is a unique initiative of the European Union, implemented by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in consultation with the ASEAN Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (AWGESC) and the ASEAN Secretariat. (JMDA/PIA Davao del Norte with online reports from the Presidential Communications Office)
