ANTIQUE – The Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, and the Republic of Slovenia have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of a wastewater treatment system project at Antique National School.
The signing ceremony was held at the ATTIF Building in Barangay Dalipe, San Jose de Buenavista.
Under the partnership, Slovenia will fund the establishment of a wastewater treatment plant at Antique National School to promote effective wastewater management and improve water sanitation and hygiene among students.
Dragan Barbutovski, deputy ambassador and acting ambassador of the Embassy of Slovenia to the Philippines, said the project marks a milestone in the two countries’ development cooperation.
“This marks the very first official development assistance project of the Republic of Slovenia in the Philippines,” Barbutovski said.
He said the project reflects the shared priority of Slovenia and the Philippines to address climate change through sustainable water and natural resource management.
“This project perfectly aligns the shared priority close to both of our nations’ hearts and this is combating climate change through sustainable water and natural resource management,” he said.
Barbutovski added that the project would introduce Slovenia’s water management technology in the Philippines for the first time. It will also include a training component on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) to ensure that students at Antique National School receive continuing education on proper water and sanitation practices.
San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Atty. Paul Joseph Untaran thanked the Slovenian government for its support and commitment to improving the lives of residents.
He said the partnership reflects the friendship between Slovenia and the Philippines and demonstrates that community development can transcend borders.
“International partnerships such as this remind us that development knows no borders,” Untaran said.
Local officials also thanked Senator Loren Legarda and Antique Rep. AA Legarda for facilitating and supporting the partnership, which they described as an important step toward environmental protection.
Antique Gov. Paolo S. Javier said the MOA marks only the beginning of the project and stressed that its success would depend on sustained cooperation, transparency, and commitment among stakeholders.
Javier urged those involved to ensure that the facility would benefit the community and serve as a model of sustainable development not only in Antique but throughout the region.
Antique National School Principal IV Roger A. Jalomo expressed gratitude for the school’s selection as the project recipient.
He said school officials are looking forward to the construction of the wastewater treatment plant and the accompanying training, which are expected to improve wastewater management and water sanitation and hygiene practices within the school./PN
