Call for views on progress in EITI implementation of Requirement 1.3 on civil society engagement in the Philippines

The Philippines joined the EITI in 2013. In February 2022, the Philippines’ Validation against the 2019 Standard found that the Philippines had achieved a “moderate” overall score in implementing the EITI Standard. In May 2023, the EITI Board agreed that a targeted assessment of EITI Requirement 1.3 on civil society engagement should be undertaken in the Philippines commencing on 1 January 2024.

In accordance with the agreed procedure, the EITI International Secretariat is seeking stakeholder views on the Philippines’ progress in implementing EITI Requirement 1.3 on civil society engagement between February 2022 and January 2024. Stakeholders are requested to send views to Gilbert Makore ([email protected]) by 1 January 2024.

The EITI Standard requires that the government, extractive companies and civil society are fully, actively and effectively engaged in EITI implementation. The Secretariat is in particular seeking views on the following questions:

1. Are the government, extractive companies and civil society fully, actively and effectively engaged in EITI implementation?
2. Are there any obstacles or barriers to the participation of any of these constituencies or their sub-groups in EITI implementation?

Civil society engagement in the EITI will be assessed in accordance with EITI Protocol: Participation of civil society. Stakeholders are requested to provide input on the Philippines’ adherence with the protocol.

Any concerns related to potential breaches of the protocol should be accompanied with a description of the related incident, including its timing, actors involved and the link to the EITI process. If available, supporting documentation should be provided. Stakeholders may also indicate which provision of the civil society protocol they consider the breach(es) to relate to. Responses will be anonymised and be kept confidential.

The Secretariat is seeking views on the following questions related to civil society engagement:

Are civil society organisations able to engage in public debate related to the EITI process and express opinions about the EITI process without restraint, coercion or reprisal?

1. Are civil society representatives able to operate freely in relation to the EITI process?
2. Are civil society representatives able to communicate and cooperate with each other regarding the EITI process?
3. Are civil society representatives able to be fully, actively and effectively engaged in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the EITI process?
4. Are civil society representatives able to speak freely on transparency and natural resource governance issues, and ensure that the EITI contributes to public debate?

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For purposes of the protocol, ‘civil society representatives’ refer to civil society representatives who are substantively involved in the EITI process, including but not limited to members of the multi-stakeholder group. The ‘EITI process’ refers to activities related to preparing for EITI sign-up; MSG meetings; CSO constituency side-meetings on EITI, including interactions with MSG representatives; producing EITI Reports; producing materials or conducting analysis on EITI Reports; expressing views related to EITI activities; and expressing views related to natural resource governance.​

For the full details of this call, kindly check the EITI website:
https://eiti.org/offers/philippines-2024-eiti-targeted-assessment-call-views-stakeholder-engagement