Good Gold Days: PH-EITI marks 50th MSG meet

The 50th MSG Meeting, held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila

Who would have thought that traditionally opposing groups could sit together and build consensus on issues concerning extractives and natural resource governance?
This was the collective sentiment of members of the PH-EITI Multi-stakeholder Group (MSG) as they held their “golden” or 50th meeting on March 9, 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

PH-EITI was created by virtue of Executive Order Nos. 79, s. 2012 and 147, s. 2013 to institutionalize reforms in the mining sector and improve transparency in the industry through EITI implementation in the country.
The very first MSG meeting was held on January 29, 2013 at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in San Miguel, Manila. About five years and fifty meetings hence, the government, industry, and civil society organization (CSO) members affirm their commitment to pursue PH-EITI’s objectives and build on the success EITI implementation has achieved in the Philippines.

DOF Undersecretary and PH-EITI Focal Person and Chair Bayani Agabin presided over the milestone meeting, which tackled, among others, PH-EITI’s 2018 Work Plan, implementation of DENR DAO 2017-07, and preparations for the 2018 PH-EITI National Conference.
​
Also present as observers during the meeting were officers from the national secretariat of Papua New Guinea EITI who were in the country for a study visit.