Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has expressed interest in partnering with the Czech Republic on his plan to make Manila a “smart, green and livable city.”

Domagoso made this suggestion during the courtesy call of Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Šedivá at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. 

Šedivá assured Domagoso that the Czech Embassy will make the Manila green city project among its top priorities aside from the other collaborations that both sides are currently undertaking.

“It was my distinct pleasure to meet Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and to share with him the efforts both of the Czech Embassy in Manila and the European Union in building bilateral and multilateral relations and cooperation with the Philippines, particularly with Manila City. We are also eager to share that the Czech Embassy is ready to work closely with Manila City in its aspirations to create a green and smart city,” she said.

Also highlighted in their discussion are the efforts of the European Union (EU), of which the Czech Republic is a member, to support the City of Manila in the rehabilitation of the Pasig River, and to contribute to building a green resilient and plastic-free economy in the Philippines.

The Czech diplomat apprised Domagoso of her Embassy’s development and cultural programs in Manila, including the one-year humanitarian project to provide education and vocational training to 80 youths in Baseco, one of the most densely populated urban poor communities in the country. The said project, which aims to bridge gaps in education and employment, is being implemented through World Vision Philippines.

Domagoso presented the Czech ambassador with a key to the city as a symbol of the continuous cooperation between the Czech Embassy and the City of Manila. Similarly, Šedivá gave the mayor a gift made out of Czech crystals.