Group formed to monitor implementation of environmental laws

MANILA, Philippines - To ensure more responsible stewardship of the environment, policy experts from academe, business and government have formed an advocacy group aimed at monitoring the implementation of existing environmental policies and regulations.

Convenors of the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST) said the group would likewise monitor compliance of regulated industries with environmental rules, and help expose and prosecute violators.

“We are committed to actively promoting sound developmental policies and advocating right governance that will ensure responsible stewardship of the environment as a requisite in the operations of all Philippine industries,” said PBEST lead convenor Victor Andres Manhit.

The experts trained at the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University have put up PBEST to raise public awareness of a regulatory framework to help big business pursue eco-friendly corporate social responsibility programs.

The convenors said PBEST seeks a paradigm shift in the regulation of Philippine industries through an advocacy and consensus-building campaign guided by the core principles of resource management, pollution management, solid waste management, and productive and efficient land use.

Manhit heads the Stratbase Research Institute, one of the country’s leading think tanks doing consulting work for both local and foreign clients. He had served as education undersecretary and deputy secretary at the Philippine Senate.

The other PBEST convenors are Carlos Primo David, a faculty member at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences who obtained his PhD in Environmental Science and Geology at Stanford University; and Lysander Castillo, a legal consultant to the Department of Agrarian Reform who had served as lawyer for Upholding Life and Nature Inc. after finishing his law degree at the Ateneo de Manila University.

“Our attitude about the environment is more developmental and not hard line. There is no one solution or approach to the whole country as every location has different physical, geological, socio-cultural and even political situation. PBEST aims to actively participate in intelligent, facts-based, and scientific discussions that would result in good policy reforms meant to encourage responsible stewardship of the environment,” David said.

“We believe that managing the environment in partnership with communities, the private sector and environment professionals makes smart business sense. This cooperative and developmental attitude on the environment opens the country to a more sustainable economic future,” he added.

Manhit said PBEST will also “actively advocate for and educate the people on good policies, research solutions and innovations, promote programs that are proven to be effective, and link up with like-minded organizations.”