The International Third Sector Research - Asia Pacific Conference, held from April 23-25, 2025, featured a compelling panel titled "Beyond Natural Resource Governance: An Interdisciplinary Framing of Extractivism in the Philippines." This insightful discussion successfully reframed the discourse around mining in the Philippines, moving beyond traditional natural resource governance perspectives to incorporate diverse disciplinary viewpoints. 

The panel illuminated the critical juncture of the Philippines' mining sector, which is plagued by climate catastrophes, civil protests, violence, and human rights violations, even as the state attempts to revitalize the industry with investment incentives. The Philippines, ranking highest in Asia for land defender fatalities, with most linked to mining, exemplifies the contentious intersection of politics, regulation, aggression, class struggle, dispossession, and environmental and cultural loss. The lived experiences shared by communities highlighted their feeling of being unheard amidst mounting political interests in new mining projects. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were recognized for their crucial role in mediating these tensions, advocating for sustainable mining practices or even an outright ban. 

The panel brought together a distinguished group of scholars and community leaders who offered a multidisciplinary analysis of extractivism. Yla Gloria Marie P. Paras from The Manila Observatory provided a nuanced discussion on the context of Just Energy Transition in the Philippines, emphasizing the potential negative impacts on communities despite the importance of decarbonization. Jake Atienza, a PhD student in Global Studies, offered an epistemological framing of mining in Cebu, focusing on how political and corporate interests interact with small-scale struggles and local residents. Lastly, Ryan Dave Rayla, an MA-Political Science candidate, delivered an insightful analysis of the politics of water, underscoring the need for collaboration and governance involving both formal public institutions and unrecognized informal sectors. These presentations critically reoriented the discussion on extractivism and natural resource governance in the Philippines, centering struggles and opportunities for social justice and sustainable practices.

The innovative selection of papers and presentations within this panel fostered a vibrant exchange with international participants, who provided valuable feedback on these critical issues. The interdisciplinary approach, encompassing sociology, political science, energy, and natural resource management, proved instrumental in generating a rich dialogue and offering fresh perspectives on the multifaceted aspects of natural resource governance in the context of extractivism in the Philippines.

/cgll