BK participates in PH-OGP Workshop, commits to transparency and accountability in extractive industry

Bantay Kita, represented by its Program Manager Ms. Tina Pimentel, participated in the Third Quarter Assessment Workshop on the Governance Cluster and Philippine Open Government Partnership Initiatives held last October 21 at the Department of Budget and Management office.

Ms. Pimentel talked about the case of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the need for all stakeholders in the industry to communicate, capacitate, collaborate, and commit (4C).

Participants of the workshop agreed that good governance reforms must be institutionalized and that partnerships among CSOs and the government be strengthened. They also cited the need for the government to prepare civil servants about the OGP and engage citizens more frequently especially the most vulnerable sectors.

Bantay Kita, for its part, has committed to improving public understanding of the management of natural resources and also availability of data related to extractive industries. BK also committed to ensuring there are opportunities for dialogue and constructive engagement in natural resource management among stakeholders. BK made a 3-year plan to make sure it delivers its commitments. The plan includes holding annual CSO conferences, organizing outreach activities to communities affected by mining, and assisting IP groups among other commitments.