The Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) spearheaded a side event at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting, focusing on data interoperability and transparency in the extractive sector. Held on February 4-5, 2025, at the UP College of Law in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the event brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, civil society, and the mining industry to discuss strategies for improving data accessibility and governance.
With the theme: “Bridging Data for Better Governance: Interoperability and Transparency in the Extractive Sector,” the session underscored the importance of linking datasets to enhance accountability, mitigate corruption risks, and support evidence-based policymaking.
Engr. Romualdo D. Aguilos, Chief of the Mineral Economics, Information, and Publication Division (MEIPD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), delivered the opening remarks for the event. Mr. Mark Carlo C. Cruz, Systems Analyst II from the MGB-MEIPD, presented the MGB website, highlighting its features and functionalities designed to enhance access to mining-related data and transparency initiatives.
On the second day, discussions expanded to “Towards Justice in Climate Equity & the Energy Transition,” a session co-hosted by PH-EITI and Publish What You Pay Philippines-Bantay Kita. Ms. Anne Karla Navarro, Geologist of the Lands Geological Survey Division, MGB, highlighted the significance of critical minerals, addressing key sectoral challenges such as high energy costs and logistical constraints. She also emphasized the need for local mineral processing and MGB’s ongoing efforts to streamline permitting and identify mineral-rich areas for sustainable development.
The session also featured presentations from government, industry, and civil society representatives, including the Department of Energy, the Philippine Nickel Industry Association, and Oxfam Pilipinas, focusing on the role of transition minerals in achieving a just energy transition. The panel discussion emphasized the balance between resource extraction, environmental sustainability, and community benefits, ensuring that climate action aligns with equity and transparency.
Key discussions highlighted Local Government Units' challenges in tracking national wealth shares and the need for a centralized extractive data repository. Participants stressed interagency collaboration for standardized reporting and timely data access. PH-EITI and its partners aim to develop a unified data system to improve transparency and resource management.
Engr. Romualdo Aguilos delivers the opening remarks, setting the stage for discussions on transparency in the extractive sector.
Mr. Mark Carlo Cruz presents the MGB website, showcasing its features for improved data access and transparency.
Ms. Anne Karla Navarro discusses critical minerals, highlighting their importance, challenges, and the need for local processing.
By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division