Unveiling a sculpture entitled “Intertwined” by artist Raphael Daniel David during inauguration of the France-Philippines Friendship Day at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park on Sunday, June 26, 2022. In photos are (from left) Together-Ensemble (TE) vice president commissioner Ramon Moreno Jr., TE Founder and President Hubert d’ Aboville, France Senator Samantha Cazebonne, France representative for ASEAN economic relations Francois Corbin, French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, TE Board member Neric Acosta, Senator Cynthia Villar, Sculptor Raphael Daniel David, DENR Asec. Gilbert D. Gonzales, DENR-NCR regional director Jacqueline Caancan, Asec. Hero Masuda, assistant director Jun Almira, BMB director Natividad Benardino, and (seated) director Khalil Bayam.

IPINAGDIWANG nina Senator Cynthia Villar at French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz kasama si French Senator Samantha Cazebone ng Parliament ng France ang ika- 75th anibersaryo ng diplomatic relations ng dalawang bansa sa Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park (LPPWP).

Pinangunahan ng mga naturang opisyal ang unveiling ng sculpture na tinawag na “Intertwined” na simbolo ng Inagurasyon ng Philippines-France Friendship Day.

Binigyan diin ni Villar na nasisiyahan siya sa pagdaraos ng mga naturang okasyon sa LPPWP na kinilala bilang “Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. ” Isa rin itong wetland protected area sa ilalim ng 2018 E-NIPAS Law.

“It gives me an opportunity to once again thank the French community here in the Philippines particularly the ‘Together Ensemble Foundation’ which partnered with us since last  year to further maintain and preserve this wetland, which as most of you know is listed in the Ramsar Convention as Wetland of International Importance, ” ayon kay Villar.

“So, truly, this is a joyous day. The relations between France and the Philippines have always been strong. I believe, the French’ joie de vivre (enjoyment of life) and the Filipinos’ hospitable nature have a lot to do with our flourishing relations over the centuries,” dagdag pa ni Villar.

Sinabi naman ni Ambassador Baccoz, “This is all the more valid as France and Philippines share the importance they attach to protect the environment and biodiversity.”

Itinatag ang diplomatic ties ng Pilipinas at Pransiya noong June 26, 1947 matapos lagdaan nina Philippine Vice President Elpidio Quirino, na foreign affairs secretary din at French foreign minister Georges Bidault sa Paris ang Treaty of Amity.

“France remains one of our country’s largest trading partners and investors from the European Union (EU) with most of the investments going into private services, electricity, gas, and water and manufacturing industries,” dagdag pa niya.

Ang Pransya ang ika-14 na pinakamalaking supplier ng Pilipinas at ika-18 pinaka-importante kliyente base sa Global Trade Atlas- Global Trade Information Services.

Sa pag-asang lalo pang lalakas ang relasyon  ng dalawang bansa,  iginiit ni Villar  na maraming sakop ang pagkakaibigan nila at ang kanilang  mutual interest at benefits.

“We also have our mutual concern regarding overseas Filipinos in France, particularly our OFWs, who are part of my main advocacies, too,” pahayag pa ni Villar.

Inorganisa ang okasyon ng Together-Ensemble Foundation Inc.  sa pakikipag-partner sa DEN-NCR, Las Piñas – LPPWP at Protected Area Management Office (PAMO).

Kabilang din sa dumalo rito sina OIC Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Gilbert Gonzales na kumatawan kay DENR-OIC Mr. Joselin Marcus Fragada Jr. at DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Ms. Jacqueline A. Caancan.