News
Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Department of Finance (DOF) – Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
PH-EITI, NCIP strengthen partnership to ensure transparency and accountability in indigenous royalty payments
Published February 20, 2025
Manila, Philippines — In a significant move to promote transparency and accountability in royalty payments for Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) formalized their partnership through a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held on February 20 in Manila.
In the photo: (Left to right) PH-EITI National Coordinator Mary Ann Rodolfo, DOF Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin, NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, and Commissioner Jeorge Largado during the signing of the PH-EITI – NCIP Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening transparency and accountability in Indigenous Peoples-related payments in the extractive industries.
The MOU aims to improve data collection to ensure that Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) receive their rightful shares from mining, oil, gas, and coal extraction within their ancestral domains. By enhancing data-sharing practices and ensuring the proper implementation of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in projects affecting ancestral domains, the agreement seeks to address gaps in reporting and governance surrounding these royalties.
Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin of the Department of Finance, who also chairs PH-EITI, emphasized the critical role of the agreement in enhancing transparency in the extractives sector. “Through this collaboration, we seek to address these challenges [in data accuracy, compliance monitoring, and transparency] by establishing a robust data-sharing mechanism that ensures complete and accurate disclosure of IP-related payments,” Agabin stated during his remarks.
NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las echoed the importance of the collaboration, highlighting that the MOU solidifies the commitment of both PH-EITI and NCIP to uphold the rights and welfare of IPs, particularly in safeguarding their entitlements from mining and other extractive activities.
The event was attended by key officials from both agencies, as well as representatives from the PH-EITI Multistakeholder Group (MSG) and stakeholders from the extractives industries.
In the photo: A photo opportunity with attendees from the PH-EITI Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and stakeholders from the extractive industries, gathered to witness the signing of the PH-EITI and NCIP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU covers critical provisions that will enable better reporting and tracking of royalty payments received by IPs from extractive companies, including those involved in the mining, oil, gas, and coal industries. It will also pave the way for enhanced coordination between PH-EITI and NCIP in addressing long-standing challenges in royalty distribution and utilization.
This historic MOU signing marks a vital step towards a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable extractives sector—one where Indigenous Peoples are placed at the forefront of governance and decision-making.
A government-led, multi-stakeholder initiative implementing EITI, the global standard that promotes the open, accountable management, and good governance of oil, gas, and mineral resources. PH-EITI was created on 26 November 2013 through EO No. 147, s. of 2013. It is a government commitment first announced through EO No. 79, s. of 2012.