CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Philippines, His Excellency Roderick Wols, paid an official visit to Malolos City on September 28, 2026, to support the ASEAN–Netherlands Cross-Learning Workshop held at the New Malolos City Hall.
Upon his arrival, Ambassador Wols was warmly welcomed by key city officials led by City Administrator Joel Eugenio, Chief of Staff Ferdie Durupa alongside Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Sports Deputy Officer Rommel Santiago, and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Division Head Amiel Cruz.
The delegation was treated to vibrant local music and traditional dance performances that highlighted the warmth and richness of Filipino hospitality.
During a courtesy call at the Mayor’s Office, Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian D. Natividad shared with the diplomat the deep historical connections between Malolos and the Netherlands. Mayor Natividad noted that Barangay Pinagbakahan historically served as a refuge for Dutch forces during early European naval engagements in the region — a little-known chapter that underscores the long-standing ties between the two peoples.
The visit also served as a platform to showcase Malolos City’s large-scale nature-based solutions on flood mitigation, demonstrating the city’s innovative and environment-centered approaches to disaster resilience and water management.
Following the courtesy call, Ambassador Wols delivered remarks before workshop delegates, extending official greetings and commending the growing collaboration between ASEAN Member States and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He emphasized the value of shared learning in addressing common challenges, including climate adaptation and sustainable urban development.
The visit concluded with an official dinner hosted by the City Government of Malolos in honor of Ambassador Wols and all participating delegates. The workshop reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation, with Malolos City standing as a model of inclusive governance, living heritage, and forward-looking environmental stewardship.
