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The Earth Summit in 1992 recommended
the active participation of citizens along with governments in implementation of the Rio
agreements. Since then, many countries have established their own multi-stakeholder
participatory body, referred to as National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD), to
promote and implement sustainable development at the national level.
The Philippine Council for
Sustainable Development (PCSD) was created on September 1, 1992 through Executive
Order No. 15 in order to chart environment and sustainable development (SD)
initiatives in the country.
The PCSD became one of the
few government bodies that have adopted the principles of counterparting and
consensus-building in their structure. It institutionalized the participation of
members of the civil society as counterparts of government representatives. Through
the leadership of the PCSD, the Philippines has been able to undertake more concrete steps
in pursuit of the global vision for SD. Foremost among these is the formulation of Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21) as the country's blueprint for
sustainable development. Its launching on Sept. 26, 1996 marked a significant
milestone for the PCSD, highlighted by the signing of a Peoples' Covenant Towards a
Transition to Sustainable Development by all stakeholders.
On the occasion of the fourth year anniversary of the Council on Sept. 26 1996, the
President of the Philippines issued Executive Order No. 370 to
further strengthen the PCSD with fresh mandates and an expanded membership which includes
business and labor sector representatives.
In 1996, through Memorandum Order No. 399, in adopting PA 21 as
the national agenda for sustainable development, the PCSD is mandated to oversee and
monitor the implementation of the PA 21 by providing the coordinating and monitoring
mechanisms for its implementation. PCSD is also authorized to mobilize coordinating
bodies, including the Regional Development Councils and the local councils for sustainable
development for this purpose.
To actively and effectively participate in the Earth Summit +10, the President of the
Philippines issued on 19 August 2000 the Memorandum Order No. 110
directing the PCSD to make a ten year review of the 1992 United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) commitments. |
| Membership
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To effectively carry its functions, the PCSD created Committees and Sub-Committees that
are mandated to address the different concerns.
PCSD is headed by the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) as Chairperson, and the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) as Vice-Chairperson. The membership of the Council is composed of
various departments of the government and groups/organization from the civil society.
The members of the committees and sub-committees are representatives from the
national government agencies and their counterpart from the civil society, non-government
organizations, and people's organizations. |
<<directory
of members>>
Committees
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In support of the PCSD, four committees were created corresponding to the four major areas
of concern of the global Agenda 21. These committees are: Committee on Social and
Economic Dimensions (SCED), Committee on Conservation and Management of Resources for
Development (CCMRD), Committee on Strengthening the Role of Major Groups (CSRMG), and
Committee on Means of Implementation (CMI). |
<<directory of
committee members>>
Sub-Committees
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Sub-Committees were also created, namely: Sub-Committees on Biodiversity, Atmosphere, Land
Resources, and Water Resources under Committee on the Conservation and Management of
Resources for Development (CCMRD); and Sub-Committees on Financing Arrangements, Science
and Technology, Information and Education, and Legal and Institutional Arrangements under
the Committee on Means and Implementation (CMI). |
<<directory of
sub-committee members>>
Secretariat
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The Council is assisted by the Natural Resources Division- Agriculture Staff of the
National Economic and Development Authority which act as the Secretariat. |
<<directory of the coordinating
secretariat>>
Local Committees/Councils
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To further strengthen the PCSD, local councils and committees were organized and created
in various regions of the country. A study team composed of government, civil
society and donor agency representatives has been formed to undertake field visits to
establish local councils for sustainable development (LCSD). The activity seeks to
strengthen linkages between the national PCSD and the local level LCSDs. These field
visits also serve as a venue for sharing SD initiatives at the local level and to evaluate
the sustainability of pilot activities initiated by the local community in partnership
with government and other stakeholders. |
<<directory
of local council members>>
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Distinct
Features of the PCSD
- The PCSD includes the participation of members of civil
society as counterpart to the representatives of the State. NGO/PO representatives in the
Council are selected through a process designed and implemented by them, not by the
government.
- The PCSD grants the NGO/PO sector a counterpart role
in decision-making. The PCSD's decision-making process requires a consensus among GO and
NGO/PO members. Hence, the PCSD position to an issue would include the view and sentiments
of the NGO/ PO community.
- The PCSD is committed to information sharing.
Information necessary for members to make clear, firm, informed judgement on policy issues
will ensure the effectivity of the Council.
- " The PCSD is a potent mechanism for
strengthening civil society and its role In sustainable development. More than any other
government organization, the Council operationalizes President Ramos' program of people
empowerment through authentic participation of NG0s and P0s."
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The
Mandates and Functions of PCSD
- Review and ensure the implementation of the Philippine
commitments to sustainable development principles made at the UNCED;
- Establish guidelines and mechanisms to concretise and
operationalize the sustainable development principles embodied in the Rio Declaration
during the UNCED and the Philippine Agenda 21, and incorporate them in the preparation of
the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan at both the national and local levels;
- Provide directions in the form of policy reforms,
programs, and new legislations to address continuing and emergent issues and to chart
future actions related to, environment and sustainable development;
- Act as a coordinating mechanism, in cooperation with the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - Office of the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development (UNCSD) and other international organizations, on the provision of
assistance and cooperation towards the fulfillment of Philippine commitments to the UNCED;
and
P0s."
- Formally adopt a Philippine Agenda 21 and develop national
sustainability plans.
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date
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meetings
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click here for
minutes
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| 06 December
2002 |
42nd PCSD
Meeting |
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| 08 October 2002 |
Post World
Summit on Sustainable Development Workshop |
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| 30 September
2002 |
41st PCSD
Meeting |
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| 14 August 2002 |
Meeting of the Philippine
Delegation in Preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development |
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| 08 August 2002 |
Meeting of the
PCSD Sub-Committee of Information and Education |
in html |
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