publication of the National Action Plan for Human Rights – and implementation of the UNGPs on Business and Human Rights. The resolution focused attention on the repression of activists peacefully campaigning for the protection of their ancestral lands from the harmful impacts of mining and deforestation. It also concentrated on the inhuman working conditions of many Filipino seamen, calling on European Union (EU) member-States to bar vessels from European port when working conditions contravene labor rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. More recently, on 11 March 2017, a two-day international workshop on “Business, Human Rights and Access to Justice” was held in the Philippines. The multi-stakeholder workshop, led by the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR), involved delegates from China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Mongolia, Philippines, and other United Nation (UN) agencies, including representatives from National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academe, and other international organizations. Operationalization of the UNGPs in the Philippines While the UNGPs are still not fully in place in the country, these have started to be implemented and operationalized. A key step is the building of awareness among relevant constituencies and development of indicators towards monitoring business corporations’ observance of UNGPs and other international covenants. 1. Building Awareness on the UNGPs The UNGPs on Business and Human Rights was activated by the CHR during the leadership of former Executive Director Atty. Jacqueline Mejia and then Chairman Etta Rosales. The latter started popularizing the UNGP by facilitating forums with the sectors interested in mining, land rights, and agrarian reform. These fora included a UN Development Programme (UNDP)-assisted event where government officials and top managers from the business community were called upon to clarify issues and align their understanding of the UNGPs. In an interview, Atty. Jesus Torres, Chair of the ESCR Center, emphasized that even before the UNGPs were identified, the CHR had embedded in its mandate to monitor human rights issues on Business and Human Rights. The CHR conducts data gathering and research before engaging, requesting, or recommending to government agencies on legal issues. Also, CHR has been exploring similar existing initiatives that complement their goal on mainstreaming the UNGPs on Business and Human Rights. 2. Establishing Mechanisms and Developing BHR Monitoring Tool Aside from building awareness on the UNGPs, the CHR has sought to identify the mechanisms needed to effectively address issues on BHR. One such mechanism is the establishment of indicators that are needed to monitor businesses and their adherence to human rights. Using pre-tested indicators, CHR intends to: (a) review related literature on the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR);4 (b) engage rights holders; and (c) encourage participation of duty-bearers, including businesses. Along this objective, the CHR is in the process of developing a guidebook for monitoring and reporting purposes. 3. Providing Access to Remedy One of the many roles of CHR is to ensure “access to remedy.” In December 2016, the CHR filed the “world’s first ever national investigation into human rights harms resulting from climate change, despite apparent opposition from some fossil fuel companies” (fidh, 2016). This petition was submitted by 18 individuals and 14 organizations, implicating 47 carbon producers/fossil fuel companies, such as, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total, BHP Billiton, Suncor, and Conoco Philips (Greenpeace, 2016). According to the CHR, 21 of the 47 participants who have responded, only six have essentially admitted their contribution to increasing fossil fuel emission and cited programs they have initiated to mitigate the negative effects of their business operations. The other 15 companies have questioned CHR’s jurisdiction, saying that the Commission is encroaching on the The International Covenant on ESCR is a UN human rights treaty that gives legal force to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This treaty covers important areas of public policy, such as the rights to: work, fair and just conditions of work, social security, adequate food, clothing and housing, health, and education. 4 5