BACOLOD City — Bacolod City’s bid to become a circular, resilient, and inclusive city by 2030 gained a boost after representatives from the European Union (EU) and the European business community expressed interest in forging partnerships that would support sustainability initiatives and green investments.
The visiting delegation, led by Dawn Marie Cabigon of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and Tsvetomir Svilenov, program manager of the EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership under the EU Delegation to the Philippines, met with city officials, business leaders, and academic stakeholders during an investment and economic dialogue held at the Bacolod City Government Center.
The discussions centered on “Bacolod 2030: Investing in a Circular, Resilient, and Inclusive Future,” the city’s development roadmap aimed at positioning Bacolod as an emerging hub for circular economy investments anchored on innovation, environmental sustainability, and inclusive growth.
A major component of the plan is the proposed Bacolod Integrated Resource Recycling and Technology Hub (BIRRTH), a flagship project designed to strengthen material recovery, organic waste management, and sustainable technologies while attracting both local and foreign investments.
Mayor Greg Gasataya welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to building a greener future through collaboration.
“The environment was not inherited from our parents; it was borrowed from our children,” Gasataya said, recalling a message that has guided his advocacy for environmental stewardship.
He cited the city’s ongoing sustainability initiatives, including solar energy installations in government facilities, energy-efficiency programs, and the deployment of electric patrol vehicles to promote cleaner transportation.
“We are committed to making this partnership count. We want to ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy the Bacolod we know today. We cannot do this alone, but together, we are stronger,” the mayor said.
During the forum, Department of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions head Mae Llamas presented the city’s investment framework, highlighting opportunities in healthcare, agriculture, education, tourism, transportation, renewable energy, green enterprises, employment generation, and climate resilience.
Llamas said the European delegation’s visit reflected growing interest in Bacolod’s circular economy initiatives, particularly projects involving recycling and upcycling of organic waste.
She said the city is exploring potential business-to-business collaborations with firms such as BSF and Bioflyt Agriventures, while also seeking public-private partnerships and private investors for medium- and long-term developments under the broader BIRRTH complex.
For the European Union, Svilenov said Bacolod’s sustainability agenda serves as a strong model for local green development.
“It is a real privilege to visit you because our work is all about partnership and sustainability. The biggest value of our partnership is the opportunity to work at the local level,” he said.
Having worked with several local government units nationwide, Svilenov said Bacolod stands out for its proactive leadership and commitment to pursuing transformative environmental solutions.
He also praised the city’s investment roadmap and described Gasataya as among the local leaders the EU hopes to work with more closely as it expands its sustainability initiatives across the country.
“We want to work with champions, and we regard you as one of the champion mayors with whom we would like to collaborate more intensively,” Svilenov said.
Cabigon, meanwhile, reaffirmed the ECCP’s commitment to helping promote Bacolod to European investors and encouraged the city to pursue business missions in Europe to expand investment opportunities.
She said the chamber could facilitate business matching in key industries, particularly food and tourism.
The engagement marks another step in Bacolod City’s efforts to strengthen its position as a preferred investment destination, with city officials aiming to attract sustainable investments, generate quality employment, strengthen local industries, and accelerate the transition toward a greener and more resilient economy./PN
