THE 16 European Union (EU) ambassadors voiced their interest to partner with Cagayan de Oro City on various projects including reducing traffic congestion during their visit to the city on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

 

Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy led city officials in welcoming the EU delegation that was led by His Excellency Ambassador Massimo Santoro to City Hall during their courtesy visit to the mayor’s office.

 

With Mayor Klarex were Councilor Joyleen ‘Girlie’ Balaba, chairperson of the 21st City Council’s committees on tourism and sister city relations, Chief of Staff Sheila Lumbatan, City Administrator Atty. Roy Hilario Raagas and staffs of the Oro-Trade and Investment Promotions Center (Oro-TIPC) and City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office as headed by their department managers John W. Asuncion and Mark Kenneth Jalapadan respectively.

 

Also present were City Planning and Development Office department manager Engr. Ardines C. Cabrera and LGU and Stakeholder Engagement EU-PH under United Nations Development Program’s Green Economy Partnership representative Geonathan T. Barro.

 

Following the courtesy call, the delegation conducted a walking tour of the city’s historical sites, Gaston Park and the City Museum of Cagayan de Oro and Heritage Studies Center.

 

The day concluded with a welcome dinner hosted by Mayor Klarex Uy at Limketkai Luxe Hotel that served as a platform for cultural exchange.

 

The evening’s program featured performances for the representatives of the 16 European nations consisting of Hungary, Romania, Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Poland and Spain.

 

City Hall in turn gave a video presentation on Cagayan de Oro’s accomplishments and its aim to partner with the EU on future projects followed by an open forum with the EU Ambassadors.

 

The European Union’s visit highlighted their continued commitment to supporting peace, justice, and cultural preservation in Cagayan de Oro as part of its broader development agenda in the Philippines. (NLB/CIO/photos by Rod Constantino/CIO)