Phl interested in environmental pact with Czech Republic

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has expressed interest in a bilateral environment cooperation agreement with the Czech Republic that could include areas of renewable energy, flood protection and disaster risk management.

A high-level delegation from the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, led by Deputy Speaker Petr Gazdik, met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday to discuss cooperation in the fields of environmental protection and renewable energy.

During the meeting, Gazdik expressed appreciation for Del Rosario’s message of support to the Czech people in the aftermath of the shooting incident in Uhersk Brod.

Both sides highlighted opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation between the Philippines and the Czech Republic.

The delegation conveyed readiness to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines in the energy and environmental conservation sectors. Established in 2008, the Czech Republic has funded the Talarak conservation project in Negros Occidental, which is engaged in the protection of endangered species and an accredited rescue center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Czech Republic is also helping Cagayan de Oro’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in improving its flood-warning system through a Web-based tool.

The delegation inspected on Wednesday the Talarak project as well as the St. Joseph the Worker church in Bacolod, which was built by Czech-American architect Antonin Raymond.

Gazdik extolled the cultural links that bound the Philippines and the Czech Republic, noting the presence of several Czech Jesuits during the pre-independence days of the Philippines.

The Czech delegation also met with Sen. Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate committee on energy; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Reps. Reynaldo Umali and Amado Bagatsing of the House committees on energy and ecology, respectively.