The Institute of International Legal Studies (IILS) in partnership with Parabukas , together with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), held a Validation Workshop on Green Jobs and Industrialization in Philippine Agriculture last May 19, 2023 (Friday). The event took place via a hybrid set-up, with some participants attending on-site at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City, while others joined via Zoom.

The Philippine study is part of a broader international research program whose aim is to better understand synergies and conflicts in the development of policies supporting climate change goals, other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and reducing inequality.

The event was attended by representatives from government and civil society, including: Department of Agriculture, Climate Change Commission, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Manila Observatory, Rare Philippines, Oxfam Philippines, Centro Saka, The CENTRE Philippines, UP Visayas Institute on Fisheries Policies and Development Studies, NGOs for Fisheries Reform, and Rice Watch Action Network.

Professor Solomon F. Lumba, Associate Dean of the UP College of Law, gave his opening remarks followed by an Overview of the ClimEQ Project by Ms. Zoha Shawoo, a Scientist in Climate and Development form SEI. The Philippine Case Study was presented by Atty. Alaya de Leon and UP-IILS Senior Legal Associate, Atty. Niner Guiao.

A workshop was conducted in the afternoon, where participants were grouped together to give their insights and comments on the draft Policy Brief of the Philippine Case Study. A final lecture on The Political Drivers of (In)coherence in Germany, South Africa and the Philippines: A Comparison was delivered by Ms. Alexia Faus Onbargi, a researcher IDOS’ Programme Environmental Governance and Transformation to Sustainability. To end the program, Director U-Nichols Manalo of the Department of Agriculture gave his closing remarks. He stressed the importance of the project, and expressed looking forward to the final output of the project and the incorporation of the insights from the workshop into the work being undertaken.