PIA-8 (March 7) --- German Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch said he is happy with the efficient implementation of German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) projects funded by the Federal Government of Germany, in Tanauan, Leyte.

The German Ambassador is also appreciated the positive response of the Local Government and the people of Tanauan, to the GTZ projects in the municipality namely: the Land Use Based Barangay Development Project, Disaster Response Management, and Local Regional Economic Development.

"Visiting the various projects of GTZ in Tanauan, I could see how important the projects are to the local government and the community," Ambassador Tortsch said.

The German Ambassador appreciated the fact that he was brought to a truly rural setting in the interior barangay Atipolo during his visit to the municipality on March 3, 2009.

The Ambassador was accompanied by Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu and the GTZ officials in observing the Land Use Based Barangay Development Planning which is now being implemented in Barangay Atipolo and in two other barangays, Magay and Solano.

The visitors saw for themselves how, with the help of the Municipal Implementing team, the barangay residents go about the process of making a development plan for their barangay using their land resources as their basis.

As the good Ambassador was keenly observing the process, the barangay folks were even more excited saying that this is the first time an Ambassador visited their barangay, and it is their first time to see an Ambassador in person.

The Ambassador is a friendly person, the barangay folks said. He is always smiling and he speaks good English, the others said when asked what they can say about their visitor.

About 42 out of the 54 barangays of Tanauan, Leyte already have completed their Land Use Based Barangay Development Plan, Mayor Tiu said. The process will be replicated in all the barangays of Tanauan. After all the barangays have completed their development plans, these will be incorporated in the Municipal Plan.

Right now, two members of the Tanauan Implementing team Charlene Binasahan and Engr. Ruchelle Orit, together with a staff from the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte, are in San Carlos City in order to help upscale the system in San Carlos City.

The Ambassador and the other visitors enjoyed the sumptuous lunch comprising of the lechon which Tanauan in known for, oyster (talaba) which turned out to be one of his favorite, rootcrops and other native food.

The Local Regional Economic Development project which is the enhancement of the bamboo craft producer was also visited by the Ambassador. At the Display Area of the producers, the Ambassador watched with delight how bamboo furniture is made.

He expressed concern about the supply of raw material and was impressed to know from the Municipal Agriculturist, Mr. Nick Liberato, that Tanauan has developed a bamboo nursery and bamboo setum.

The Ambassador expressed satisfaction that the German Government Funds being given to the various GTZ projects in Leyte are being used efficiently and appreciated by the beneficiaries. (PIA 8)