The Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Ph-EITI) in collaboration with the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines and Mines and Geosciences Bureau through the MGB GAD Focal Point System organized a significant forum on March 18, 2025, at the Penthouse Ballroom, Lepanto Building in Makati City, with the theme "Mining Her Own Business: Elevating Women’s Voices in Natural Resource Governance." By highlighting the vital role that women play in the extractive sectors, the event sought to advance gender inclusion and equitable resource management as crucial elements of the governance of natural resources. As part of the celebrations for Women's Month, this initiative highlights the growing acknowledgement of women's contributions to fields that have historically been dominated by males.

The event started by the welcome remarks delivered by Maricor Anne D.G. Cauton, Director of Finance and Administration for the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, set an empowering tone for the conference focused on women's roles in the extractives industry. Her address underscored the importance of inclusivity and collaboration among stakeholders in addressing gender disparities within this sector. As she welcomed participants, Cauton highlighted that empowering women is not merely a matter of equity but also essential for sustainable development in mining and related industries.

Following her remarks, Albert A. San Diego, Deputy Coordinator for Communications, Research, and Data Management and Reporting and Concurrent Chief Technical Officer of the PH-EITI, presented an overview of the program, acknowledging key participants and setting expectations for fruitful discussions throughout the sessions. This framework laid a solid foundation for Session No. 1 entitled “Empowering Women in Extractives: Strengthening Voices, Breaking Barriers, and Driving Change.” Moderated by Ms. Beverly “Bon” Besmanos, National Coordinator of Bantay Kita, this session aimed to illuminate critical issues surrounding women’s involvement in mining.

The session featured impactful presentations from various speakers, including Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, Chairperson of National Commission on Indigenous People, who addressed Indigenous rights within mining contexts. Annie G. Dee shared her journey with Teresa Marble Corporation while Djoan Kate Tungpalan,PhD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs of the College of Engineering of University of the Philippines Diliman, provided insights into challenges faced by students pursuing mining engineering degrees. Additionally, Jeanira Godio-Okubo, Member of the PILIPINA, Inc. Baguio-Benguet Chapter, articulated Indigenous women’s perspectives on their rights concerning mining activities.

The reactors Miriam Buergo, GAD Consultant (Affiliated with the Philippine Commission on Women) and Aracell Bayubay-Mercado, Chairperson of the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance, Inc. and Board of Trustee, ECOWASTE Coalition Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Consultant and National Gender Resource Pool of the Philippine Commission on Women Association for Development of Teaching, Education and Learning, enriched discussions by providing valuable insights into gender equality initiatives within these frameworks. Their contributions emphasized that collaborative efforts are crucial to fostering an environment where both women’s voices and Indigenous rights are recognized and respected within the mining industry.

Resource Speakers, Session 1 Reactors and Moderator with the PH-EITI MSG Members

The second session of the event, titled “Harnessing Gender-Sensitive Data to Drive Inclusive Extractive Governance,” served as a critical platform for discussing the intersection of gender and mining. Moderated by Atty. Maria Karla L. Espinosa, Director IV at the Department of Finance, this session brought together various experts who underscored the importance of utilizing gender-sensitive data in the extractive industry. The discussions highlighted that inclusive governance is not only a matter of equity but also essential for sustainable development within mining sectors.

Dir. Jeanette T. Damo, Executive Director of the Institute of Labor Studies, Department of Labor and Employment, emphasized that understanding the unique challenges and contributions of women in both large and small-scale mining operations can lead to more effective policies and practices that support gender equity in the industry. She presented the research of the Institute of Labor Studies on women’s roles in both large-scale and small-scale mining operations. Her findings revealed that women often face systemic barriers in accessing opportunities within these sectors, thereby emphasizing the need for targeted policies that promote their participation and advancement.

This was complemented by National Coordinator of the PH-EITI Ms. Mary Ann D. Rodolfo’s insights into the initiatives led by Ph-EITI on data gathering related to women in mining, illustrating how comprehensive data can inform better governance practices.

Atty. Joan D. Adaci-Cattiling, President and General Manager for External Affairs and Social Performance, OceanaGold Philippines, Inc., shared compelling success stories from Oceanagold Philippines, Inc., demonstrating how empowering women can lead to enhanced social performance and community engagement in mining operations. Furthermore, Diory G. Carr, Development Management Officer III and GAD Focal Person of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau discussed efforts by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to establish a unified database focused on gender-sensitive data collection through its Gender and Development (GAD) framework.

The session concluded with thoughtful reflections from regional director of MGB Region VI Regional Director Cecilia Ochavo-Saycon, and Prof. Maria Aurora Teresita Tabada, Head of the Gender Resource Center, Visayas State University and Board of Trustees Member of Bantay Kita – Publish What You Pay, Inc. who emphasized comprehensive policy frameworks that support women’s participation in extractive industries as vital for achieving inclusive governance objectives.

Resource Speakers, Session 2 Reactors and Moderator with the PH-EITI MSG Members

Atty. Odette Javier, the Vice President and Assistant Corporate Secretary, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co., provided a synthesis of these discussions while Atty. Ronald Rex Recidoro, Executive Director of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines delivered closing remarks that reinforced the commitment towards integrating gender considerations into extractive governance strategies.

This collaborative approach not only amplified women’s voices but also sought to dismantle barriers that have historically restricted their participation in these sectors. The event provided a platform for sharing best practices and strategies aimed at enhancing women’s roles in decision-making processes related to natural resources.

In conclusion, the forum represents a pivotal step towards integrating gender perspectives into natural resource governance. By elevating women’s voices and fostering collaborative dialogues among stakeholders, such initiatives can significantly contribute to more equitable resource management frameworks. Ultimately, embracing gender inclusivity will not only empower women but also enhance overall sustainability within the extractive industries.

By: Mines and Geosciences Bureau Gender and Development Focal Point System