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HISTORY |
I. Historical Imperatives of the Council
A. Global Context
Environment and development issues were introduced to the international arena in the United Nations Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972. The conference emphasized the need for common principles to guide mankind in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment . After this event, the Brundtland Commission was created in 1983, formally known as the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), to respond to the growing concern on environment and natural resources degradation vis-à-vis economic and social development. As a result, in 1987 the Brundtland report “Our Common Future” was published. This document laid down the definition of sustainable development as the “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.”
With the growing concern on the environment and development, the historic Earth Summit of 1992 in Rio de Janeiro was held. Through this Summit, the SD concept was further developed to produce a global blueprint for SD–the Agenda 21. This document offers the framework within which UN-member countries forged a commitment to work together to face the development challenge of our time. The Agenda 21 emphasized that environment agenda should be tackled alongside the pursuit of social and economic goals which has been the traditional development paradigm.
The Earth Summit represented the awakening of global consciousness on the critical function that the environment plays in the development process through its forward and backward linkage with social and economic factors. Such interaction of the environment, social and economic dimensions of development has been recognized as the foundation of sustainable development. Founded on the underlying concepts of interdependency of development objectives and intergenerational equity, SD has been a challenge to pursue over time given increasing social (population) and economic (poverty) pressures that are compounded by limitations posed by inadequate measures to quantify environment trade-offs vis-à-vis social and economic goals. By and large, the environment continues to pay the price of further development actions.
B. Local Context
Contrary to the common notion that promotion of SD in the country started only after the Earth Summit, SD as a fundamental governing principle has already been recognized way back as it is reflected in the 1987 Constitution. As a matter of policy, the Constitution mandates the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all while protecting and advancing the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
Moreover, the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) initiated the process of formulating a Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development in 1987. The PSSD’s goal is to achieve and maintain economic growth without depleting the stock of natural resources and degrading environmental quality. The result of this initiative and the series of consultation with various sectors was a document embodying the various policy & institutional measures, including investment programs and projects for implementation in the medium term. The PSSD was officially adopted in 1989.
The country’s participation in the Earth Summit in 1992 crystallized the various SD initiatives. After returning to the Philippines from Rio, both the government and the non-government delegations agreed to translate the commitments made in the Summit into policies & action programs that will benefit the country. This resulted to the drafting of the Philippine Agenda, the country’s blueprint on SD.
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Legal Basis |
II. Legal Basis in the creation of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development
The Philippines has been swift in responding to the call of the Earth Summit to bring action at the local level in support of sustainable development. President Fidel V. Ramos by virtue of Executive Order No. 15 dated 01 September 1992 created the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) which provide the mechanism for attaining the principles of SD and thus assure its integration in the Philippine national policies, plans and programs that will involve all sectors of the society.
Further, in 5 July 1995 Memorandum Order No. 399 was issued to direct the operationalization and monitoring of the PA 21. Then, in 26 September 1996, Executive Order No. 370 was issued to strengthen the Council’s functions and structure through expanding Council membership to include several government agencies. Likewise, EO 370 mandated the DILG to coordinate and monitor SD localization at the LGU level.
In 10 December 2001, Executive Order 62 was issued to further strengthen the Council mandate and its core composition through streamlining government representation and expanding non-government membership base.
III. Powers and Functions of the Council
The Council shall focus on issues that deal with the interplay of social, economic, and environmental concerns rather than solely sectoral matters that are already performed by the existing departments and agencies of the government. In particular, according to EO 62 (s. 2001), the Council is mandated to do the following:
1. To review and ensure the implementation of the commitments made by the Philippines in the light of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its follow-up process;
2. To act as the coordinating mechanism with the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) and the governing Bodies or Secretaries of other multilateral conventions, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DOF);
3. To establish guidelines and mechanisms that will ensure that the SD principles are embodied in the Rio Declaration, Agenda d 21, are integrated in the formulation of national, regional, and local development policies, plans, and programs;
4. To formulate policies and recommend new actions to appropriate bodies on SD issues focusing on the environment dimensions of social and economic interventions in the social and economic dimensions of environmental interventions;
5. To review and monitor plans, policies, program and legislation on SD to promote efficiency and timeliness of their execution and ensure consistency and coordination among the Legislative and Executive branches of government, local government units, civil society, business, labor and other concerned entities/sectors, and existing multi-stakeholder governance mechanisms;
6. Provide policy advice to appropriate bodies on Environment and SD issues of national interest;
7. To call on any and all government agencies, resource persons as necessary in the performance of its roles and functions;
8. To catalyze the formation and institutionalization of LCSDs in close coordination with local authorities;
9. To establish a networking mechanism to link the Council with local and international organizations involved in the sustainable development;
10. To create, reorganize or abolish committees of the Council, ad-hoc or permanent, and to define their structure, functions and limitations;
11. To submit its annual work program with actionable and time bounded targets and regularly report to the President the status of implementation and achievement of specific targets thereof; and
12. To perform such acts which are necessary to carry out its mandated functions and responsibilities.
Executive Order No. 15
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Powers and Functions |
III. Powers and Functions of the Council
The Council shall focus on issues that deal with the interplay of social, economic, and environmental concerns rather than solely sectoral matters that are already performed by the existing departments and agencies of the government. In particular, according to EO 62 (s. 2001), the Council is mandated to do the following:
1. To review and ensure the implementation of the commitments made by the Philippines in the light of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its follow-up process;
2. To act as the coordinating mechanism with the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) and the governing Bodies or Secretaries of other multilateral conventions, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DOF);
3. To establish guidelines and mechanisms that will ensure that the SD principles are embodied in the Rio Declaration, Agenda d 21, are integrated in the formulation of national, regional, and local development policies, plans, and programs;
4. To formulate policies and recommend new actions to appropriate bodies on SD issues focusing on the environment dimensions of social and economic interventions in the social and economic dimensions of environmental interventions;
5. To review and monitor plans, policies, program and legislation on SD to promote efficiency and timeliness of their execution and ensure consistency and coordination among the Legislative and Executive branches of government, local government units, civil society, business, labor and other concerned entities/sectors, and existing multi-stakeholder governance mechanisms;
6. Provide policy advice to appropriate bodies on Environment and SD issues of national interest;
7. To call on any and all government agencies, resource persons as necessary in the performance of its roles and functions;
8. To catalyze the formation and institutionalization of LCSDs in close coordination with local authorities;
9. To establish a networking mechanism to link the Council with local and international organizations involved in the sustainable development;
10. To create, reorganize or abolish committees of the Council, ad-hoc or permanent, and to define their structure, functions and limitations;
11. To submit its annual work program with actionable and time bounded targets and regularly report to the President the status of implementation and achievement of specific targets thereof; and
12. To perform such acts which are necessary to carry out its mandated functions and responsibilities.
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Organizational Structure |
IV. The PCSD Organizational Structure
The PCSD organization structure as provided by the E0 370s.1996 is composed of three levels of line function, namely: the Council, the Committees and the Sub-committees (details provided in the following sections). The PCSD structure allows an integrative , responsive , and efficient working relationship among its members in addressing SD issues and concerns.
V. Composition and Responsibilities of the Council and its Members
This section is guided by the provisions on Council composition provided under the Executive Orders 15, 370 and 62.
A. Council
A multi-stakeholder body composed of representatives from the various government and non-government departments, groups, and organizations (e.g., civil society, labor group, and business sector) geared toward promoting SD. In particular, its core members include the NEDA, DENR, and DFA together with 5 representatives from civil society and one (1) each from the business and labor sectors. Participation of other government and non-government representatives in the Council meetings is allowed, depending on the Council agenda/issue at hand.
The chairperson of the Council shall be the NEDA Director-General with the DENR Secretary as the Vice-Chairperson.
The Council governs the over-all organization and operations of the PCSD and is responsible for generating policies that will be submitted to the President for approval. The Council Chairperson shall perform the following:
1. Provide direction and leadership to all Council endeavors;
2. Evaluate the performance of the Council members in the fulfillment of their tasks; and
3. Preside over the Council meetings.
Council representation should not be lower than a rank of Director or its equivalent in non-government agencies to facilitate decision-making and solicit concrete commitments during Council meetings. The term of office of Council members is co-terminus with their appointments in their respective departments or organizations.
B. Executive Committee
An inter-agency body tasked to respond to less crucial Council concerns that require urgent decisions, which shall be confirmed by the Council. The Executive committee shall be composed of seven (7) members, namely: NEDA, DENR, DFA, DILG, and three (3) representatives from non-government community.
The representation of the non-government community (i.e., civil society, business and labor sectors) in the Committee shall be guided by their respective business processes and selection criteria.
C. Committee and Sub-Committee Members
An inter-agency group composed of members from different government and non-government agencies on SD, categorized into four (4) Committees and eight (8) Sub-Committees corresponding to the four (4) areas issues identified in the global Agenda 21.
The representation to the Committees and sub-committees shall be at least division chief or its equivalent in non-government offices.
The Committees are tasked to recommend to the Council specific resolutions addressing issues under their respective concerns and ensures that all recommendations brought to the Council is technically sound and viable as an effective national policy recommendation to the President. Specifically, The Committees and sub-committees serve as fora for:
1. Deliberation of specific policies, issues, and plan, and programs related to SD and formulation of recommendations, therein, and
2. Identification of specific objectives, strategies, and standards in the context of fulfilling Philippine commitments to the UNCED
c1. Committee on Social and Economic Dimensions (CSED). This committee responds to issues related to poverty, consumption patterns, population, human health, human settlements, and decision-making. CSED is chaired by the NEDA. Specifically the Committee is tasked to perform the following:
1. Monitor and ensure the commitments under the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21) are adequately reflected in the development plans (e.g., MTPDP and RDP);
2. Recommend policies, and possible plans and programs of the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21);
3. Initiate consultations among various government agencies and non-government organizations matters related to the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21).
c2. Committee on the Conservation and Management of Resources for Development (CCMRD). The Committee focus primarily on the physical dimensions of the environment and the issues associated with them such as the atmosphere, biodiversity, water and land resources. The DENR served as the Chair.
The committee is further categorized into four major areas of concern: the Sub-committee on Atmosphere (DENR/PAWB-Chair and DOST–Vice chair), the Sub-committee on Biodiversity (DENR/EMB–Chair and DOE-Vice chair), the Sub-committee on Water Resources (DENR/EMB–Chair and NWRB–Vice chair), and the Sub-committee on Land Resources (DENR/LMB and NEDA-Vice chair). Specific duties are, as follows:
1. Monitor and ensure the commitments under the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21) are adequately reflected in the development plans (e.g., MTPDP and RDP);
2. Recommend policies, and possible plans and programs of the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21);
3. Initiate consultations among various government agencies and non-government organizations matters related to the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21).
c3. Committee on Strengthening the Role of Major Groups (CSRMG). This Committee takes the lead in mainstreaming sustainable development through formation of SD focal/advocate that will serve as the critical mass to ensure continuity of the SD activities both in the government and non-government sectors. The CSRMG is chaired by DILG. The Committee is expected to perform the following:
1. Monitor and ensure the commitments under the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21) are adequately reflected in the development plans (e.g., MTPDP and RDP);
2. Recommend policies, and possible plans and programs of the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21);
3. Initiate consultations among various government agencies and non-government organizations matters related to the concerned section of the Agenda 21/ (EPA 21).
c4. Committee on Means of Implementation. This Committee is responsible for establishing and maintaining linkages with, and soliciting of assistance from international organizations in the fulfillment of Philippine commitments to the UNCED. CMI is chaired by DOST.
The Committee is further grouped into: the Sub-committee on Financing Arrangement (NEDA-Chair); the Sub-committee on Science and Technology (DOST-Chair); the Sub-committee on Information and Education (DECS-Chair); and the Sub-committee on Legal and Institutional Arrangements (DFA-Chair). The Committee is expected to perform the following:
1. Establish linkages with, and solicit assistance from international organizations in the fulfillment of Philippine commitments to the UNCED; and
2. Identify local and international institutional arrangements and mechanisms that would facilitate the implementation of Philippine commitments to the UNCED.
The Committee Chairman and Vice-chairman’s (in the absence of the Chairman) roles are as follows:
1. Lead its Committee and sub-committees through a specific strategic direction and action plan;
2. Lead the Committee in its role as the integrating arm of the Council on their respective areas of concern;
3. Evaluate each Committee member’s work performance; and
4. Preside over-all Committee meetings.
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Composition and Responsibilities |
V. Composition and Responsibilities of the Council and its Members
This section is guided by the provisions on Council composition provided under the Executive Orders 15, 370 and 62.
A. Council
A multi-stakeholder body composed of representatives from the various government and non-government departments, groups, and organizations (e.g., civil society, labor group, and business sector) geared toward promoting SD. In particular, its core members include the NEDA, DENR, and DFA together with 5 representatives from civil society and one (1) each from the business and labor sectors. Participation of other government and non-government representatives in the Council meetings is allowed, depending on the Council agenda/issue at hand.
The chairperson of the Council shall be the NEDA Director-General with the DENR Secretary as the Vice-Chairperson.
The Council governs the over-all organization and operations of the PCSD and is responsible for generating policies that will be submitted to the President for approval. The Council Chairperson shall perform the following:
1. Provide direction and leadership to all Council endeavors;
2. Evaluate the performance of the Council members in the fulfillment of their tasks; and
3. Preside over the Council meetings.
Council representation should not be lower than a rank of Director or its equivalent in non-government agencies to facilitate decision-making and solicit concrete commitments during Council meetings. The term of office of Council members is co-terminus with their appointments in their respective departments or organizations.
B. Executive Committee
An inter-agency body tasked to respond to less crucial Council concerns that require urgent decisions, which shall be confirmed by the Council. The Executive committee shall be composed of seven (7) members, namely: NEDA, DENR, DFA, DILG, and three (3) representatives from non-government community.
The representation of the non-government community (i.e., civil society, business and labor sectors) in the Committee shall be guided by their respective business processes and selection criteria.
C. Committee and Sub-Committee Members
An inter-agency group composed of members from different government and non-government agencies on SD, categorized into four (4) Committees and eight (8) Sub-Committees corresponding to the four (4) areas issues identified in the global Agenda 21.
The representation to the Committees and sub-committees shall be at least division chief or its equivalent in non-government offices.
The Committees are tasked to recommend to the Council specific resolutions addressing issues under their respective concerns and ensures that all recommendations brought to the Council is technically sound and viable as an effective national policy recommendation to the President. Specifically, The Committees and sub-committees serve as fora for:
1. Deliberation of specific policies, issues, and plan, and programs related to SD and formulation of recommendations, therein, and
2. Identification of specific objectives, strategies, and standards in the context of fulfilling Philippine commitments to the UNCED
c1. Committee on Social and Economic Dimensions (CSED). This committee responds to issues related to poverty, consumption patterns, population, human health, human settlements, and decision-making. CSED is chaired by the NEDA. Specifically the Committee is tasked to perform the following:
1. Monitor and ensure the commitments under the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21) are adequately reflected in the development plans (e.g., MTPDP and RDP);
2. Recommend policies, and possible plans and programs of the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21);
3. Initiate consultations among various government agencies and non-government organizations matters related to the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21).
c2. Committee on the Conservation and Management of Resources for Development (CCMRD). The Committee focus primarily on the physical dimensions of the environment and the issues associated with them such as the atmosphere, biodiversity, water and land resources. The DENR served as the Chair.
The committee is further categorized into four major areas of concern: the Sub-committee on Atmosphere (DENR/PAWB-Chair and DOST–Vice chair), the Sub-committee on Biodiversity (DENR/EMB–Chair and DOE-Vice chair), the Sub-committee on Water Resources (DENR/EMB–Chair and NWRB–Vice chair), and the Sub-committee on Land Resources (DENR/LMB and NEDA-Vice chair). Specific duties are, as follows:
1. Monitor and ensure the commitments under the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21) are adequately reflected in the development plans (e.g., MTPDP and RDP);
2. Recommend policies, and possible plans and programs of the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21);
3. Initiate consultations among various government agencies and non-government organizations matters related to the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21).
c3. Committee on Strengthening the Role of Major Groups (CSRMG). This Committee takes the lead in mainstreaming sustainable development through formation of SD focal/advocate that will serve as the critical mass to ensure continuity of the SD activities both in the government and non-government sectors. The CSRMG is chaired by DILG. The Committee is expected to perform the following:
1. Monitor and ensure the commitments under the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21) are adequately reflected in the development plans (e.g., MTPDP and RDP);
2. Recommend policies, and possible plans and programs of the concerned section of the Agenda 21/(EPA 21);
3. Initiate consultations among various government agencies and non-government organizations matters related to the concerned section of the Agenda 21/ (EPA 21).
c4. Committee on Means of Implementation. This Committee is responsible for establishing and maintaining linkages with, and soliciting of assistance from international organizations in the fulfillment of Philippine commitments to the UNCED. CMI is chaired by DOST.
The Committee is further grouped into: the Sub-committee on Financing Arrangement (NEDA-Chair); the Sub-committee on Science and Technology (DOST-Chair); the Sub-committee on Information and Education (DECS-Chair); and the Sub-committee on Legal and Institutional Arrangements (DFA-Chair). The Committee is expected to perform the following:
1. Establish linkages with, and solicit assistance from international organizations in the fulfillment of Philippine commitments to the UNCED; and
2. Identify local and international institutional arrangements and mechanisms that would facilitate the implementation of Philippine commitments to the UNCED.
The Committee Chairman and Vice-chairman’s (in the absence of the Chairman) roles are as follows:
1. Lead its Committee and sub-committees through a specific strategic direction and action plan;
2. Lead the Committee in its role as the integrating arm of the Council on their respective areas of concern;
3. Evaluate each Committee member’s work performance; and
4. Preside over-all Committee meetings.
D. NEDA PCSD Coordinating Secretariat
The Coordinating Secretariat is composed of the various staffs of the NEDA Central Office namely: Agriculture Staff, Infrastructure Staff, Information Technology and Communication Staff, Management Staff, Legal Staff, Public Investment Staff, Social Development Staff, Regional Development and Coordination Staff, Trade Industries utilities Staff, National Planning and Policy Staff, and Project Monitoring Staff. The Coordinating Secretariat is tasked to:
1. Coordinate the activities of all agencies with respect to the implementation and monitoring of Philippine commitments on SD to the UNCED;
2. Provide technical support to the various committees and sub-committees under the Council;
4. Ensure that SD concerns, as stipulated in the EPA 21 are integrated in the development planning and programming processes;
5. Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate SD related activities, within and outside NEDA;
6. Provide active leadership/participation as Chair, Vice-chair, and/or member of the various PCSD committees and sub-committees (refer to Table 1);
7. Handle all technical and administrative requirements of the Council and its partners;
8. Take the lead in the agenda setting and meetings of the Council; and
9. Perform other functions designated by the Council.
Table 1. NEDA Staffs Committee Involvement vis-à-vis EPA 21 Priority Thrusts
Committees* EPA 21 Thematic Thrusts Staffs involved
1. Conservation and Management of Resources for Development i. Ecological Integrity AS, IS, RDCS
2. Strengthening the Role of Major Groups i. Securing peace and solidarity
MS, RDCS, SDS, LS
ii. Empowerment and good governance MS, LS, SDS, RDCS
3. Means of implementation Localization, Resource mobilization, Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Information, Education, and Communication Campaign, and Official Development Assistance AS, PIS, ITCS, DIS, PMS, RDCS
4. Social and Economic Dimensions i. Eradicating Poverty SDS, NPPS, IS, AS
ii. Managing Globalization NPPS, TIUS, ITCS, SDS
iii. Social Equity SDS, IS, ITCS
* Structure and functions of the Committees are provided in item D. of this manual
E. The Civil Society Counterpart Council for Sustainable Development (CSCCSD)
The CSCCSD is a body composed of representatives from civil society involved in the SD-related endeavors. As a major partner of the PCSD, the CSCCSD serves the crucial task of organizing civil society participation/engagement in Council business/es, which include, among others, processing of harmonized civil society position on sector specific concerns.
The CSCCSD Secretariat liaise with the government Secretariat (NEDA-Agriculture Staff) on PCSD related endeavors.
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