IV. CONSIDERATION OF MULTILATERAL TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS IN
DOMESTIC POLICY FORMULATION
[ IV | IV-A
| IV-B | IV-C ]
B. Integrating agreements into domestic policy formulation
[ B | B-1
| B-2 | B-3 ]
At present, no formal mechanisms (tools) and systems (institutional
arrangements) are in place or being utilized in integrating multilateral
agreements at the policy level. That is apparent from the list of initiatives
undertaken thus far by the respective focal agencies related to integrating
environmental agreements at the policy level. Policy formulation has proceeded
in an academic manner, involving the creation of interagency committees
and multisectoral task forces which are relied upon to evaluate policy
issues and formulate applicable compliance provisions. Systems continually
evolve as the need for such arrangement arise.
Environmental concerns have traditionally been viewed as falling within
the scope of the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources, mainly because of the highly sectionalized
planning approach. The failure to recognize the interconnection of environmental
concerns have resulted in other departments becoming largely detached from
the process of contributing to solutions to environmental problems. That
situation essentially reflects the state of the response mechanism accorded
to multilateral environmental agreements prior to the creation of the Philippine
Council for Sustainable Development. The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, as the focal agency in charge of environmental concerns,
retains the adjunct responsibility of translating agreements into policy
initiatives.
Promoting internal consensus on sustainable development
The creation of PCSD in 1992 formalized the forum for the discussion
of policy options on sustainable development. The PCSD structure and mechanism
serves as a clearinghouse for intra-agency debates and conflicts. PCSD
committees and subcommittees constitute by far the most effective structure
in encouraging discussion and consensus on major international agreements.
Similarly, PCSD may be credited for facilitating preparatory activities
for international meetings including organizing a pool of experts to constitute
the Philippine Delegation to those forums. The Department
of Foreign Affairs recommended that an inter-agency approach (approximating
the PCSD structure) to Philippine participation be continued because it
had proven to be effective in evolving and enunciating the position of
the Philippines during international meetings.
To that end, PCSD is endeavouring to further strengthening of its structure
to enable it to contribute to environmental protection and sustainability.
In addressing the need to strengthen PCSD participation in international
forums and conferences, and to provide an effective response and mechanism
in compliance with global agreements on the environment, PCSD has proposed
the formulation of a Manual of Protocol that will formalize and systematize
the process of participation and reporting on the results of major international
meetings, country commitments and the status of compliance. With PCSD localization
currently underway that process is expected to be reinforced.
A number of entities play important roles in facilitating the process
of mainstreaming global agreements at the policy level. Those entities
are described below.
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