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By Dawn Po Quimque, Gov Data Initiative
(This article is part of the Good Governance Champions Series by the Gov Data Initiative)
Open-pit mining area of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp., in Bataraza, Palawan. (Photo by Dawn Po Quimque of Gov Data Initiative for USAID’s JET Minerals Challenge)
The Philippines is a major player in the global mining industry, boasting abundant mineral resources crucial for economic growth and energy transition. However, weak resource governance at the local level poses a major challenge in this sector, leading to the deprivation of benefits for communities, environmental degradation, and social conflicts. These problems are worsened by a lack of transparency and accountability, undermining trust in the mining industry and the government.
GDI Executive Director Marco Zaplan presents the project overview of PREDIC Tool.
(Photo by Dawn Po Quimque of Gov Data Initiative for USAID’s JET Minerals Challenge)
To help address these issues, the Gov Data Initiative (GDI) has developed the Projecting Revenues from the Extractives for the Development and Investment in Communities (PREDIC) Tool in partnership with the Manila Observatory and the Sustainable Development Strategies Group. This tool enables local stakeholders to estimate and visualize production, sales, and revenue from extractive operations, facilitating informed decision-making and meaningful engagement in discussions on mineral resource management. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Powering a Just Energy Transition Green Minerals Challenge (JET Minerals Challenge), this initiative aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the extractives sector, empowering local stakeholders and ensuring the fair distribution of benefits from resource extraction activities. The project will be piloted in the provinces of Cebu and Palawan.
Recognizing that tackling these challenges demands collaboration with local stakeholders, including community leaders, civil society organizations, and government agencies, GDI is taking a bottom-up approach. As part of this strategy, GDI is launching a campaign called the "Good Governance Champion Series." This campaign aims to spotlight individuals who are passionate about promoting good governance through data and evidence-based analysis. This series will showcase their work in using data to inform public decision-making, advocating for data-driven governance, encouraging public participation, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.
BM. Atty Jiembo Borgonia as GDI's Good Governance Champion
For GDI’s first Good Governance Champion, meet Atty. Ismael John “Jiembo” Borgonia—anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability champion in the province of Cebu.
Borgonia, a Provincial Board Member (BM) in Cebu's 3rd District, a local leader and advocate of good governance, believes that the PREDIC Tool can play a key role in revolutionizing the governance of the mining industry in the province. Embracing data-driven decision-making to foster transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement, he sees PREDIC Tool as an essential tool for local governments to better plan programs and prioritize projects benefiting the poor and marginalized communities. Borgonia's role as a provincial board member in the province of Cebu is crucial for advancing the project's objectives, allowing him to better design policies and advocate for measures that promote transparency, citizen engagement, and accountability in the governance of the natural resources of the province.
I believe that data is of utmost importance as it cannot be disputed unless it is spurious or manipulated. Therefore, government officials, whether elected or appointed, should utilize this information to identify and prioritize programs and projects that truly benefit those in need of government assistance." – BM Atty. Jiembo Borgonia
Borgonia, a seasoned lawyer and lawmaker, underscored the power of data and evidence-based analysis towards ensuring that the government effectively responds to people's needs through targeted projects. According to him, government officials must carefully utilize data in order to make informed decisions that benefit both the government and the community. He stresses that access to data should be available at all levels of decision-making, from municipal councils to the smallest barangays.
BM. Atty Jiembo Borgonia during the introduction meeting with the GDI team in Cebu City. (Photo by Dawn Po Quimque of Gov Data Initiative for USAID’s JET Minerals Challenge)
“If a decision is based on data, it is also based on evidence. This is the foundation for the plans that will be developed. Take the budget as an example—it covers areas such as healthcare, education, social welfare, and more. The data collected is utilized to prioritize and implement budgetary decisions, addressing existing problems. So, if those in positions of authority would take the time to listen and study these programs, it would greatly enhance the quality of government services." – BM Atty. Jiembo Borgonia
Borgonia firmly asserts that serving the public interest must always be prioritized over personal gain. He explains, "Transparency and accountability are essential in earning the people's trust. The public has the right to be informed and should demand transparency from government officials. This is how important it is and how it can change people's perspectives."
BM Atty. Jiembo Borgonia meets with the GDI team to discuss the PREDIC Tool in Cebu City.
(Photo by Dawn Po Quimque of Gov Data Initiative for USAID’s JET Minerals Challenge)
Borgonia sees digital solutions like GDI’s PREDIC Tool as vital for raising awareness and fostering transparency, not only in government but also within the private sector, particularly in Cebu where the mining sector holds significant sway over economic landscapes. With its ability to forecast and visualize extractives operations’ production, sales, and revenue, PREDIC Tool has the potential to address a myriad of sectoral gaps and challenges including in revenue allocation, environmental impact assessment, community engagement, regulatory compliance, and economic planning at the local level.
"We hope that this project will serve as a starting point, like a match that ignites a fire and grows into something bigger. It aims to increase awareness and inspire individuals to be more socially conscious. It is crucial for good people to take action to prevent evil from prevailing. Each one of us, at our own level and capacity, can contribute to addressing this issue," Borgonia added.
PREDIC Tool presentation to CSO stakeholders. (Photo by Dawn Po Quimque of Gov Data Initiative for USAID’s JET Minerals Challenge)
Looking ahead, BM Atty. Jiembo Borgonia hopes that initiatives like the PREDIC Tool will help drive meaningful change and better foster a culture of transparency and accountability in the Province of Cebu. By championing this initiative, he envisions a future with a more responsive local government working together with empowered communities to ensure that mining activities and revenues generate resources that go directly toward ensuring a more sustainable future for citizens. Such is a future that GDI is also marching towards—a horizon where the promise of data transforms not just governance, but ultimately, people’s lives.
The PREDIC Tool (Projecting Revenues from the Extractives for the Development and Investment in Communities Tool) was developed by the Gov Data Initiative. The tool is currently being piloted in Cebu and Palawan in partnership with the Manila Observatory and the Sustainable Development Strategies Group under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) Digital Innovation Hub.
The PREDIC Tool helps estimate and visualize production, sales, and revenue from mining operations, enabling informed decision-making and discussions related to local mining governance. Funded by the USAID's JET Minerals Challenge, this 15-month project aims to enhance transparency and accountability in natural resource governance, empower local stakeholders and ensure a fair distribution of benefits from extractive industries.
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