BK conducts seminar on EI in Antique; creates leeway for subnational EITI MSG

Bantay Kita with partners from Visayas conducted an orientation-seminar on subnational EITI conducted last January 29, 2016 in San Jose, Antique.

The activity was attended by at least 270 participants mainly civil society representatives, youth and faith-based organization representatives, and officials from the barangay, municipal, and provincial level. Antique, specifically in the island town of Caluya, is host to Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC).

SMPC is the biggest coal operator in the Philippines. The province is also host to some nonmetallic and metallic mining operations.
Antique vice-governor Hon. Edgar D. Denosta presented on the provincial environmental code and committed to having an EITI subnational initiative in the province.

BK legal consultant Gina Tumlos presented on the legal framework of EITI implementation in the Philippines. Dr. Merian Mani, BK board member and current member of the PH-EITI multi-stakeholder group, shared to the audience the overview of EITI implementation in the country. Mr. Marvin Casalan of University of Antique rendered a presentation on socio-environmental impacts of extractive industries to communities.

A team tasked to organize the technical working group was also delegated during the event. Dr. Mani facilitated a workshop on organizing, planning towards coalition building, organizational meeting, action planning was facilitated by Dr. Mani. The secretariat was formed headed by the Supreme Student Council President of University of Antique and with other volunteers from religious organizations and women’s group.

BK partnered with the provincial government of Antique, Travesia Inc., Marinduque State College, and University of Antique.