Ms. Feliece YebanVISIT FROM CAFOD – CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS
By Feliece Yeban, Vice President, Social Commitments
October 25, 2007




TVI received a visit recently from Ms Sonya Maldar, Extractives Policy Analyst of the UK-based Catholic Agency for Overseas Development or CAFOD, who gave us some useful feedback to which we are already responding, to improve delivery on our Information, Education and Communications (IEC) responsibilities.

She explained that CAFOD wishes to develop proposed guidelines for government, company and other stakeholders as regards how best to implement mining projects that truly and genuinely benefit their host communities.  This is an objective that TVI concurs with, wholeheartedly.  At the same time, we feel that we were able to feed back to her, that while companies are working hard to act responsibly (Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR), we feel that the NGOs should  likewise be held accountable for their actions (NGO Accountabiliy), afterall, both sectors wish to serve the community.

CAFOD spent several days in the Siocon area, interviewing stakeholders and members of the community, as well as representatives of the organizations that oppose mining.  Unfortunately, because of heavy rains, Sonya was not able to visit the mine site and interview many of our key players.  But she did take the opportunity to meet with us in our offices in Manila.

Ms Maldar raised certain issues during the meeting that we found legitimate.  I agree with her that, first, information dissemination efforts must remain faithful to the spirit of transparency and that  this is something that we as a company should  further improve on.  And second, the need to disseminate information, particularly to Subanon groups outside the Council of Elders in Canatuan becomes more compelling, especially if the communications processes are not working well within the community itself.

The meeting did not, however, make it clear to me what else NGOs like CAFOD and its partner organizations can do beyond their traditional “expose and oppose” approach vis-à-vis mining companies like TVIRD.  CAFOD’s policy is not that it opposes mining but that it seeks to promote responsible mining. The world needs mining, and the Philippines needs mining.  And communities can benefit from mining if it’s done right. So what can they do to help, that’s more constructive and more of a contribution?

The interview gave both TVIRD and CAFOD the chance to discuss — in a no holds barred atmosphere — issues related to the Canatuan operations beyond the usual pro- vs. anti- mining discourse.

We hope there will be more.  TVIRD has attempted on a number of occasions to have civil, productive discussions with NGOs to move beyond the adversarial stance.