German Ambassador visits GIZ disaster resilience and risk mitigation project in Eastern Visayas for stronger cooperation

The German Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke visited the GIZ Project “Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Risk Mitigation through Ecosystem-based Planning and Adaptation (E4DR)” 

Mayor Edito Mulig of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte welcomed the Ambassador and met with Saint Bernard LGU officials to discuss community resilience measures. The delegation also trekked to Guinsaugon Ground-Zero where the catastrophic Guinsaugon landslide occurred in 2006. Mayor Mulig expressed his deep gratitude to the German Ambassador and GIZ for their invaluable assistance in the aftermath of the disaster. In response, Ambassador Pfaffernoschke stressed the urgent need to address climate change and emphasized the importance of taking action to mitigate and minimize its impact.

The team then visited Cabalian Bay to discuss coastal resource management and law enforcement to curb illegal fishing with the members of the Panyan-San Isidro-Himbagan Mangrove Planters Association (PASAHI MAPA). Dr. Pfaffernoschke offered funding assistance for the establishment of the PASAHI MAPA office/processing center, a solar drying facility to help the organization produce a variety of products to support their plans and advocacies.

The Ambassador also met with the Hindag-an Forest Savers Association Inc. (HiFoSAI), a people’s organization (PO) holding a Community-based Management Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to discuss the association's operations and how they manage the Hindag-an Falls and Forest Park.

The visit highlights the strong collaboration between the GIZ-E4DR Project, NEDA Regional Office VIII, the LGUs, and local people's organizations, while also underscoring the deep diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Germany. It showcased their joint commitment to sustainable development and disaster resilience, marking a significant step forward in their collective efforts while strengthening the bonds of international partnership.

E4DR Principal Advisor Andrea Teran,and NEDA Regional Office Assistant Regional Director Jam M. Colas, welcomed the Ambassador to to Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte. The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife Marina Pfaffernoschke, GIZ Country Director Immanuel Gebhardt, and GIZ Climate Cluster Coordinator Nicole Kranz.