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Through the years: Revisiting Laws, Policies, and Ordinances on Extractive Industries and Natural Resource Governance in Cebu Province
by USC Intern Maraiah Ivana Colaljo
Natural resource extraction has been extensively known as a valuable source of income in the context of industrial development. Several empirical studies are published almost every year to highlight the importance of the extractive industry in the country and to keep the government's and the industry's commitment to sustainability in check. While considerable economic potential exists, resource extraction is commonly associated with social conflict and environmental degradation. However, sound policies are one of the most important ways to achieve this. There are already mechanisms at the national level for transparency, accountability, and civic participation, as well as ongoing policy reforms. For one, the Philippines' active participation in the Open Government Partnership and commitment to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) could strengthen natural resource governance. At the national level, the Philippine Mining Code of 1995 requires environmental monitoring and includes provisions for public consultation.
Read more here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18q755fWiZLwbiQQJISK4O-EXr-AYDMb-/view?usp=sharing
Over the weekend, experts convened at the Parish of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Alcoy, Cebu, for a two-day intensive engagement with youth and other key stakeholders.
The sessions provided critical insights into a range of crucial areas, including Human Rights, Natural Resource Governance, Environmental Law in Protecting the Sea, Climate Change, Strategic Social Media Use, Effective Participation in Governance, Subnationalization of the PH-EITI, The Youth Profile, and an orientation on essential LGU services. These expert-led discussions served as a crucial foundation for the subsequent Sectoral Focused Group Discussion (FGD).
The culminating output of this initiative will be formally submitted to the LGU as the Sectoral Agenda on Governance and Development, which will also inform the local election scorecard.
We are grateful to Fr. Ver Pedrano, the Parish Priest, and his team of parish mobilizers, CHR 7, PEJC, USJ-R SSP and Communications Departments, the STANCe Secretariat, including our Youth Engagement Specialist, and PAHRA for their generous support.
The Youth RePOWER Project is implemented by STANCe for PAHRA.
Photos by Marvin Llanos Maning.
Lecture presentations below
JTI-Philippines’ Generous Donation Brings Relief to STANCe Communities
JTI-Philippines’ Generous Donation Brings Relief to STANCe Communities
In a heartwarming act of generosity, JTI-Philippines has made a significant impact on the lives of many in Cebu through their recent donation of bags of rice. This benevolent gesture has provided much-needed support to various sectors of the community STANCe supports, showcasing the company’s commitment to social responsibility and community welfare.
The donation primarily benefitted the members of the STANCe CSO Assembly, a coalition dedicated to social advocacy and community development across Cebu. The reach of this donation extended far beyond, touching the lives of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), parishes, seminaries, informal aggregates sellers, and barangay local government units (LGUs).
JTI-Philippines’ act of kindness is a testament to the power of corporate social responsibility. By addressing the immediate needs of diverse community members, they have not only provided sustenance but also hope and reassurance. This initiative highlights the importance of solidarity and support within communities, especially during challenging times.
The entire STANCe community extends its heartfelt gratitude to JTI-Philippines for their unwavering support and generosity. Their contribution has made a tangible difference, reinforcing the spirit of unity and compassion that binds us all.
Equity Initiative Fellows Explore Climate Change and Equity in Sibonga and Argao
Equity Initiative Fellows Explore Climate Change and Equity in Sibonga and Argao
40 Equity Initiative Fellows and staff embarked on an outreach to the municipalities of Sibonga and Argao in Cebu to deepen their understanding of equity and climate change through direct engagement with local communities and their adaptive strategies.
The first stop of their visit was at SIMBADA, a fisherfolk association in Simala, Sibonga where discussions on the impacts of climate change on fisheries, a sector critical to the local economy. The dialogue highlighted the dual challenges of environmental changes and socio-economic issues such as poverty and inequity. The exchange underscored the importance of community resilience and the role of grassroots organizations in advocating for the rights and welfare of marginalized sectors.
Following this, the fellows visited Taloot Integrated School, a beacon of community-driven interventions. The school’s innovative programs addressing malnutrition and illiteracy have earned it the prestigious 2023 Galing Pook Award. This visit illustrated the profound impact of holistic, community-based approaches in tackling systemic issues and fostering inclusive development.
The third segment of the visit featured a lecture by Dr. Lillio, an expert on mangroves, who elaborated on the critical role of these coastal ecosystems in climate change adaptation and coastal protection. This immersive activity allowed the fellows to witness the biodiversity of mangroves and understand their vital function in safeguarding coastal communities against the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
The final destination was the Pestales Agriculture Cooperative, a model of sustainable agriculture and communal resilience. The cooperative has navigated the complexities of inconsistent agricultural policies, demonstrating the potential of farming as a sustainable livelihood. The fellows observed the cooperative’s innovative practices and their success in enhancing food security and economic stability. This visit highlighted the importance of coherent policies and support systems in empowering farmers and promoting equitable growth.
The visited took place on 6 August 2024. STANCe organized this event.
Through the Years_ Revisiting Laws, Policies, and Ordinances on Extractive Industries and Natural Resource Governance in Cebu Province (1).pdfThrough the Years_ Revisiting Laws, Policies, and Ordinances on Extractive Industries and Natural Resource Governance in Cebu ProvinceMaraiah Ivana Colaljo, Intern
Energy Transition in Cebu City.pdfOn Enenrgy TransitionAngela Arco, Intern
Coastal Management in Visayas.pdfCoastal ManagementAngela Arco, Intern
land use.pdfOn Land UseAngela Arco, Intern
Just Energy Transitions in the Philippines.pdfJust Energy Transition in the PhilippinesSajed Navarro, Intern
Literature Review_ Beneficial Ownership Transparency.pdfBOT Transparency Lit ReviewSajed Navarro, Intern
a youth-defined world
a youth-defined world
On June 14, 2024, STANCe, alongside the CHR 7 and PAHRA organized a youth and gender forum on NRG and climate change.
While development decisions were made for the youth, most often without them giving a voice to their right to self-determination, the forum provided a venue where women and especially the youth can articulate the most essential components that they imagine can make up a better world.
STANCe director receives chr 7 citation
STANCe director receives chr 7 citation
It is a great honor for an organization whose work relies on volunteers to be recognized for its work for a fair and just society through good natural resource governance.
Our gratitude to the Commission on Human Rights Region 7 for this recognition.
Faith, Director for Legal and Corporate Affairs received the citation for STANCe.
certificate of completion conferred
certificate of completion conferred
STANCe conferred Certificates of Completion to 9 community trainers on Climate and Natural Resource Governance. The course runs on 2 segments, the main training was done on 20 April 2024 in Argao, Cebu and the Return Demonstration on 01 May 2024.
The RetDem hones further the community-engagement skills of the trainers.
This event was co-funded by the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) and co-organized by Unifying Sectoral Responses on Environmental Protocols-Sibonga (USREPS) for the Save Sibonga Movement.
The Save Sibonga Movement continues the struggle since 2007 to oppose cement projects in Sibonga.
STANce receives recognition
STANce receives recognition
STANCe concludes the term as non-government representative for the Visayas to the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP).
PH-OGP is a multilateral platform towards inclusive and transparent governance.
The event was hosted by the Department of Budget and Management on 27 May 2024.
Secretary Pangandaman of the DBM conferred the award.
STANCe Chair Glenn Pajares, Ph.D., seen here with Vice Governor Hilario Davide III.
During his visit to Vice Governor Hilario Davide III last March 16, 2020, Dr. Pajares apprised the vice governor of the initiative spearheaded by STANCe to formalize an extractive industries transparency council in the Province of Cebu. This is in line with the recent development in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where a similar bill is filed. The vice governor gave his assurance to support this initiative.
In 2018, STANCe collaborated with PENRO and the Provincial Treasurer's Office in drafting an ordinance to institutionalize a participatory and transparency body for the extractive industry in the province. The project, funded by the UN Democracy Fund Project through Bantay Kita, previously consulted the basic sectors of women, farmers, and fisherfolks in mining communities in order to supply in situ information and proposals informing the ordinance.
Meanwhile, STANCe actively promotes a quarterly forum participated by sectors, relevant government agencies, and industry to discuss contexts and ways forward on matters pertaining to the extractive sector.
Cebu is host to extractive industries utilizing mineral, non-mineral, oil, gas, and coal resources.
Women and Development
The sector of women remains among the poorest socio-economic sectors in the country (see Genderdizing Development presentation below for data). This context finds a unique emphasis on communities around extractives. The negative externalities are not fully compiled, the potential for social and environmental payments to augment local development priorities needs clear-cut guidelines, and a broader understanding of the relationship between sustainable development goals and extractives is yet to be reached.
To date, extractives remain a linear economy and LGUs hosting extractives are yet to strengthen their development models to diversify the local economy using their share of national wealth.
Building the Netwrok Bridge
STANCe reached out to media practitioners and academics to gain deeper understanding on the role of media in extractives transparency.
This event in August of 2022 provided key insights into the prevailing context and challenges the media face today. The FGD also highlighted valuable points in expanding NRG advocacy that is attractive for reportage.
In November of 2021, the proposed ordinance on extractives transparency reached the second reading. STANCe presented to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the prime value of this legislation and how this will set the Provincial LGU as the forerunner of subnational extractives transparency in the country. The document is yet to hurdle the third reading.
In September of 2020, STANCe reached out to the Office of Hon. Borgonia to discuss relevant components of a proposed extractives transparency ordinance he penned. The ordinance seeks to gather extractives data in the Province of Cebu to provide data-driven decisions on natural resource governance.
The 2023 OGp week
The 2023 OGp week
On May 8-11, open government collaborators and supporters from various stakeholders come together in Manila to join the global Open Government Week.
The Philippine Open Government Partnership is a co-creative process seeking various ways to make government processes open and accountable.
Checkout PH-OGP FB account here:
opening the open government week
opening the open government week
STANCe, contributing both as a Steering Committee Member and 5th NAP Commitment Holder, joined the opening session of the Philippine Open Government Week.
The event, led by the Secretary of Budget and Management Amena Pangandaman, allowed the Steering Committee members a chance to reflect on what had been gain and how to improve on the 5th NAP in an ever-dynamic co-creation process towards a more open government.
In opening the event, the SBM shared the gains of PH-OGP and highlighted government commitment to facilitate building infrastructures for e-governance in its pursuit of faster government transactions, more responsive public service, and more efficient feedback mechanisms.
Photo from the PH-OGP Facebook page.
Genderdizing Development.pdfGENDERDIZING DEVELOPMENT
GENDERDIZING DEVELOPMENT
This presentation intends to help LGUs orient their development plans to gender and inclusion
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