EITI Primer (2).pdf Jun. 2014 | Page 23

Bantay Kita is a coalition of organizations advocating for transparency and accountability in the extractive industry. What is the advocacy framework of Bantay Kita? Many international organizations, institutions and even governments believe that utilizing a country’s natural resources is necessary to enhance national growth. However, experiences in many countries show that utilization of natural resources does not automatically translate to development and poverty alleviation. Exiting policies and processes that govern the extractive industry do not ensure the rationalization of benefits for the country nor the protection and welfare of affected communities. The lack of transparency in the extractive industry hinders people’s organizations and concerned citizens from holding the government and mining companies accountable for environmental damages and the absence of development from these projects. It is of utmost importance to identify and monitor who gains from the extraction of natural resources to ensure that the country and our people get the fair share from the utilization of these resources. Bantay Kita advocates the need to institute comprehensive transparency and accountability mechanisms in the entire value chain of the extractive industry. This advocacy framework is captured by Publish What You Pay’s Chain for Change. EITI Primer.indd 23 8/14/13 4:31 PM