By PR | 09:43 AM May 03, 2024
The Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines Michel Parys paid a courtesy visit at the Capitol on Monday, April 29.
Board member Lucille Lagunay of the first district, who represented Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, welcomed Ambassador Parys, who was accompanied by Consul Enrison Benedicto and Shenette Radores from the Consulate of Belgium.
Ambassador Parys revealed that it was his first time to visit Bohol.
He declared interest in initiating programs, projects, and partnerships between the Global Geopark island province and the Kingdom of Belgium.
“It’s time to look for new opportunities. That is why I’m coming to see Bohol,” Parys said as he opened possible partnerships on renewable, green energy, and innovations through sustainable tourism.
Parys emphasized that the world is already shifting to green energy and that “it is something to think about ahead of time.”
For her part, Lagunay expressed gratitude for the ambassador’s visit and further shared the vision of the Aumentado-Balite administration aligned with the strategic change agenda.
“Bohol is positioning itself as one regenerative island, so your intentional visit today is a blessing for us,” she said.
Other topics discussed during the meeting include water intrusion, management and development, waste management, and the current situation in the agriculture sector amidst the El Niño phenomenon.
Joanne Pinat, Bohol Provincial Tourism Office OIC, shared that 1,256 Belgian tourists visited Bohol last year, contributing to 36% of foreign tourists, and making Belgium the fourth most number of tourist arrivals from a European country.
Don Villanueva of the Bureau of Immigration, and PLt. Dunhill Sarmiento, Bohol Provincial Police Office Provincial Intelligence Unit assistant chief also shared the report on the welfare, safety, and security of Belgian tourists and those living in Bohol with no reported incidents involving foreign nationals.
“I want to personally commend the provincial government of Bohol for being a top tourist destination, and congratulations on your brand of service,” Consul Benedicto said in his closing message.
Engr. Ronilita Bunado, Engr. Angelus Sales and Mildred Heldrana, Provincial Planning Development Office consultant, PPDO-OA IR Unit Head and PPDO-ODA IR staff member respectively were also present during the visit. (PiMO/JSS)
