BACOLOD City – A delegation from Bacolod participated in the Better Air Quality International Conference 2026, a global gathering supported by the United Nations held in Bangkok from March 11 to 13.
Representing the city were Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Urban Planning and Development; Mary Jean Ramos, head of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO); and Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, head of the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (BCDRRMD).
The international conference gathered around 900 delegates from 45 countries to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and strengthen global cooperation in addressing air pollution and improving urban air quality.
Bacolod City’s participation forms part of the Urban-Act Project, an initiative supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Philippines in partnership with Clean Air Asia Philippines. The program identifies Antipolo, Bacolod City, and Tagbilaran as pilot cities working toward sustainable urban development and improved air quality management.
Distrito said Bacolod’s participation in the conference provides an opportunity for the city to learn from international experiences and innovative solutions in managing air pollution and promoting sustainable urban planning.
“Our participation in the Better Air Quality Conference allows Bacolod City to strengthen its initiatives on sustainable urban development and environmental protection. By learning from global best practices, we can develop better policies and programs that will ensure cleaner air and a healthier environment for Bacolodnons,” Distrito said.
Pornan noted that the conference features discussions on air quality management, sustainable urban mobility, climate and health impacts, and emerging technologies aimed at reducing air pollution in rapidly growing cities.
Ramos added that Bacolod hopes to bring home new strategies and partnerships that will support the city’s continuing efforts to build a more resilient and environmentally responsible urban community.
The city’s engagement with international urban development programs also builds on earlier cooperation under the Urban-Act initiative.
In 2024, several Bacolod officials, including the three representatives, participated in a fully sponsored study tour in Germany organized by GIZ, which focused on climate change programs, urban planning, and transportation innovation, with an additional learning visit in the Netherlands for disaster resilience initiatives.
The exposure program allowed participating officials to observe best practices in sustainable city development and climate-responsive governance—insights that Bacolod continues to integrate into its long-term urban planning and environmental strategies./PN
