The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recently participated in the five-leg nationwide roadshow of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) held in the cities of Butuan, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Davao and Pasay last July 15 to August 20.
The LGU roadshow was participated in by 387 stakeholders from local government units (LGU), national government agencies, civil society organizations and industries. It aimed to present the findings of the first PH-EITI Country Report; communicate gaps in the existing systems based on the first Report; discuss how to address the gaps; and how the EITI can serve as an instrument to strengthen governance of the extractive industry.
It served as a platform for discussion of gaps in the current government systems and issues in the distribution of shares in the national wealth, and other extractive industry concerns that include management of environmental and social development funds, small-scale mining and issues of indigenous peoples/indigenous cultural communities.
The roadshow also provided an avenue for the stakeholder groups to share good practices which others can adopt, and for the government, the civil society and the industry to work together on developing policy recommendations and action plans to address said concerns and gaps, which will be included in the second PH-EITI report.
MGB Assistant Director Dr. Elmer Billedo served as Panelist for the event. MGB senior officials Engr. Esteban Martin, Officer-in-charge of the Mining Technology Division; and Engr. Rodolfo Velasco, Chief of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division; served as resource speakers. They discussed the new guidelines for small-scale mining, and the harmonization of the Philippine environmental and mining laws, respectively.
The roadshow was a two-part event. The first day consisted of the "Forum on Natural Resource Governance: Making Transparency Matter" while the second day was dedicated for the "Workshop on EITI Reporting Process."
The event was co-organized by the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and Bantay Kita.
By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division