MULTI-STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPS) (MINDANAO REGION) (PHI/115/05)

Project Details & Results

The Philippines has ratified the Stockholm Convention and is now in the process of formulating the National Implementation Plan (NIP) to implement the POPs Treaty. One of the main areas of activity in relation to the implementation of the Treaty is taking stock of the Philippine situation pertaining to POPs and alternatives, particularly, non-chemical alternatives at the community level. While there have been some efforts already by the government to come up with a national profile on POPs and a POPs Treaty National Implementation Plan is already being developed, these have been mainly through official channels using official figures which may not adequately reflect the complete situation for the entire country, especially at the rural countryside. It is important, therefore, that public interest NGOs and people’s organizations that have extensive partnership and membership in grassroots communities be involved in the process, examine the POPs situation in the country more carefully and come up with recommendations that would complement what is being done at the government level. As an initial activity to facilitate meaningful participation of grassroots organizations, a one-day roundtable consultation is proposed.

Notable Community Participation
The one-day roundtable activity on POPs shall serve as an opening forum to bring together representatives from various public interest groups, particularly those with strong community partnerships, who have the interest, knowledge, experience, and concern regarding POPs.

Capacity - Building Component
The roundtable activity will aim to gather key public interest groups with extensive community partnerships whose participation would be critical in the attainment of the objectives of the Stockholm Convention and achieve a good understanding of the current situation on POPs. Certain key stakeholders, including the government, academe, and private sector will be invited to the roundtable to provide their own perspective on the issue. The roundtable activity hopes to identify areas of common concern and recommend appropriate actions. This is within the overall aim to promote public participation in addressing and developing effective responses to POPs and their health and environmental effects (Article 10, Stockholm Convention).

Gender Focus
The main participants are to come from civil society, from environmental, health, and sustainable agriculture groups, including the most vulnerable sectoral groups such as women, urban poor, peasants and workers who are most likely impacted by POPs.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The activity aims to reflect a strong civil society representation and fulfill the Convention’s strong concern for its involvement in the enabling projects to eliminate POPs. This would also provide the opportunity for civil society groups to present their earlier work on POPS.

Policy Impact
The proposals and recommendations to result from the activity, shall form the basis of potential project areas for UNDP-GEF-SGP (as its potential contribution to the Convention), and ultimately, are hoped to enrich the government’s National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms
To provide substantive information, representatives will be invited from high-risk areas to share testimonials that could provide first hand information on POPS impact and could recommend on possible areas and forms of action.

Project Results
Firstly, the activity shall aim to produce a list of identified common areas of concern by multi-stakeholder interests;

Secondly, the activity shall aim to produce proposals and recommendations for common action on POPS