Building on the theme of sustainability and transparency, the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) held its 2024 Regional Roadshow and Stakeholder Consultations at the Bai Hotel Cebu, Mandaue City, Cebu from September 3 to 5, 2024. Titled “Bridging Transparency: Empowering Local Voices in Natural Resource Governance,” focused on enhancing local community participation in managing natural resources, underlining the importance of transparency and sustainability in the extractive industries.
Organized by the Department of Finance (DOF), the roadshow aimed to bring EITI principles closer to the grassroots level by fostering discussions on the sub-nationalization of EITI standards. A roundtable discussion featured various stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from the extractive industry, local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and indigenous peoples' groups. Key topics included localizing transparency practices and increasing accountability at the community level, ensuring citizens play an active role in resource governance.
Day 1 of the roadshow started with a presentation on the current state of the Philippine extractive industries and their contribution to the national economy. Experts emphasized the role of transparency in enabling local stakeholders to understand and manage their natural resources.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division Chief Engr. Romualdo D. Aguilos reported on the topic, “Introducing EITI data: Enhancing Transparency in Extractive Industry” emphasizing the vital role of MGB in supporting local governments by monitoring and reporting on extractive activities.
On Day 2, a series of workshops and dialogues provided a platform for participants to delve deeper into the implementation of EITI reporting standards at the sub-national level. The workshops encouraged dialogue between LGUs, and communities affected by extractive activities, particularly focusing on how EITI standards can be adapted to ensure inclusive governance.
The event culminated on Day 3 with a community consultation in Toledo City, Cebu, where residents and communities directly impacted by mining operations engaged in an open dialogue with industry leaders and government representatives.
Discussions centered on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of mining in the region, the distribution of revenues, and the empowerment of local communities in decision-making processes.
By: Mineral Economics, Information, and Publication Division
Engr. Romualdo D. Aguilos presents 'Introducing EITI Data: Enhancing Transparency in the Extractive Industry’
MGB officials at the PH-EITI Regional Roadshow