DAY 1. The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) in partnership with the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI), and Bantay Kita conducted the first of the six LGU Roadshows, National Resource Governance at the Local Level: Making Transparency Matter, Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City on July 15-16, 2015. ULAP Assistant Secretary General Councilor Kirk Asis welcomes the 83 participants composed of LGUs from CARAGA region, local CSOs, Regional Directors of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Energy, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Ports Authority, Bureau of Customs, Department of Budget and Management and Department of the Interior and Local Government and Bureau of Local Government Finance. Also present during the first day are one (1) Vice Governor, six (6) Municipal Mayors, two (2) Municipal Vice-Mayors and one (1) Councilor.
The first day of the Forum discussed current gaps and issues in the extractive sector and possible policy recommendations on the national and local levels. It also looks at how the EITI process can contribute to good governance in the extractive industries. During the morning session, the PH-EITI Multistakeholder Group, represented by DILG-BLGD Director Anna Liza Bonagua, presented the highlights and findings of the 1st EITI Report.
A panel discussion was also conducted to gather insights from the different stakeholders on what have emerged from the first report and can these insights target particular policies and implementation reforms, specifically on the computation and release of the LGU shares on the national wealth. The panelists were: Director Anna Liza Bonagua, ULAP Assistant Sec. Gen. Councilor Kirk Asis, Engr. Daniel Belderol, MGB Regional Office 13, Director/Engr. Rex Monsanto, MGB Regional Office 10, Atty. Ronald Recidoro, Chamber of Mines, and Executive Director Starjoan Villanueva, Alternative Forum for Research in Mindanao, Inc. The panel was moderated by ULAP Technical Manager, Genixon David.
On the afternoon, the participants attended different track sessions on extractive industries. The topics are: Sub-national EITI Implementation, Environmental Governance, Social Development and Management Programs and Social Expenditures, Mining 101 and Small-scale Mining.
Undersecretary Janet Abuel of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was also present to discuss the existing process and structure on the LGU Shares from the national wealth. She also mentioned that the Department, together with the different collecting agencies such as BIR and MGB, are currently looking into the current process to hasten the release of shares to the LGUs.
Lastly, the participants were asked to sign the commitment on continuing the advocacy of transparency and good governance in extractive industries.
DAY 2. The second day is a half-day workshop on the EITI Reporting Process attended by 24 local treasurers, revenue collection officers, local accountants from provincial, city and municipal LGUs in CARAGA region . The workshop presented the new reporting template for local government units. It explained and provided instructions for the data gathering and reconciliation process.
Participants of the Workshop on Day Two were required to bring collections from large-scale metallic mining companies for all types of payments for the year 2013 and 2014; receipt of shares from national wealth for 2013 and 2014; and management/utilization of collection shares from national wealth for 2013 and 2014.