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Championing Climate Justice: Dean Tony La Viña on the Power of Data, Transparency, and Collaboration in Environmental Advocacy

Writer's picture: Dawn Po QuimqueDawn Po Quimque

By Dawn Po Quimque, Gov Data Initiative (This article is part of the Good Governance Champions Series by the Gov Data Initiative)

 

Dean Tony La Viña leads an educational discussion with students, passionately speaking out against the cutting of trees on the Ateneo campus. (Photo credit: Dean La Viña / Facebook)

Mining sits at the center of a complex and often contentious debate between economic growth and human rights and environmental justice in the Philippines. The country’s rich deposits of nickel, copper, and cobalt are vital to the global shift to clean energy. However, the cost of extracting these natural resources is high, often leading to environmental degradation, displacement of indigenous communities, and conflict over who benefits from mining. Addressing climate justice within this context has now become more important than ever.


Dean Antonio "Tony" GM La Viña as GDI's Good Governance Champion for the month of May 2024.

Dean Antonio "Tony" G.M. La Viña, JSD, GDI’s Good Governance Champion for May, is a formidable force in addressing the complex challenges of mining and environmental justice. He brings a wealth of expertise to his work with nearly 40 years of experience as an educator, lawyer, and advocate for human rights and the environment. He earned his law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law, placing third in the 1989 Bar Examination, and holds advanced degrees from Yale Law School, where he specialized in international environmental law and policy. 


Dean Tony is renowned for his thorough understanding of climate change, human rights, and indigenous peoples' rights, which he imparts as an advocate and professor of law, philosophy, governance, and politics at various universities in the country. His tenure as Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources during the Ramos Administration further solidified his expertise in the field where he spearheaded critical mining policy reforms and negotiated equitable revenue shares for the government and indigenous communities.



Dean Tony La Viña supervises a dynamic discussion on art, religion, bigotry, and disinformation during his Philosophy of Law class at Ateneo Law School. (Photo credit: Dean La Viña / Facebook)


As Associate Director and Head of the Klima Center at the Manila Observatory, Dean Tony La Viña advocates for the protection of environmental defenders and climate justice at the international, national, and local level. The Klima Center offers science-based policy support, legal services, and capacity-building to government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. Through this data-driven approach, Klima not only anchors its initiatives in science but also delivers real, impactful change for both communities and the environment.

"The right to information in environmental issues is sacrosanct. When things are transparent, you don't have to speculate. It's right there before you." - Dean Tony La Viña

Dean Tony La Viña poses with his Manila Observatory team during the first Klima Leadership Conference at Villa La Viña in Cagayan de Oro.  (Photo credit: Dean La Viña / Facebook)

Dean Tony has long advocated for transparency and accountability in government as he considers access to accurate information very important to local communities. Without access to information, communities are unable to make informed decisions or meaningfully participate in governance and processes that directly impact their lives. He believes that by providing accessible, understandable, and actionable data, communities are able to effectively assert their rights and interests.


Dean Tony La Viña, alongside fellow human rights defenders, files a petition before the Supreme Court for writs of Amparo and Habeas Data on behalf of the families of Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus, activists from the Cordillera Administrative Region abducted on April 28, 2023. (Photo credit: Dean La Viña / Facebook)

"It is important to make environmental data public to raise awareness about the issues and challenges. We must receive and translate this information into language and formats that make sense for local communities." - Dean Tony La Viña

The Klima team at COP 28 meets Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga. (Photo credit: Dean La Viña / Facebook)

Dean Tony is also pushing for a shift in government attitudes, urging officials to see CSOs and communities as allies rather than adversaries. According to him, true progress comes from involving all stakeholders in decision-making, building trust, and sharing responsibility. He advocates for a just transition to renewable energy that not only includes but also empowers the communities most impacted by mining.


"But there needs to be a cultural change in government. We should not see CSOs as adversaries. Communities are not adversaries." - Dean Tony La Viña

Dean Tony La Viña with his Manila Observatory team. (Photo credit: Dean La Viña / Facebook)


Currently, the Manila Observatory is spearheading the Community Development Agreement (CDA) Digital Innovation Hub, funded by USAID's JET Minerals Challenge and developed in partnership with Sustainable Development Strategies Group and Gov Data Initiative (GDI). This initiative aims to make CDAs more accessible to the public, ensuring greater transparency and promoting improved management of mining impacts and benefits. For Dean Tony, data isn't just a tool—it's a catalyst for change. His vision is a world where environmental justice and human rights are upheld, driven by transparency, truth, and fair resource distribution.


"I believe that if we do the right things, including using data properly for good governance, we will have a better planet, and people will actually be happier on this planet and feel that they are not marginalized anymore but, in fact, at the center of this planet." - Dean Tony La Viña

Dean Tony La Viña as one of the panel experts during an event on celebrating the Climate Law and Governance Day. (Photo credit: Dean La Viña / Facebook)


As the Philippines grapples with the challenges and opportunities around the energy transition, Dean Tony's work shines as a beacon of hope. He champions a holistic approach that brings together data, communities, and policies to foster a mining industry and energy transition that is fair and just. His commitment is a powerful reminder that climate justice isn't just about protecting the environment—it’s also about ensuring that natural resources are fairly shared across generations and that the voices of those most affected are heard and included in decision-making.

 

The PREDIC Tool (Projecting Revenues from the Extractives for the Development and Investment in Communities Tool) was developed by the Gov Data Initiative. The tool is currently being piloted in Cebu and Palawan in partnership with the Manila Observatory and the Sustainable Development Strategies Group under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) Digital Innovation Hub.


The PREDIC Tool helps estimate and visualize production, sales, and revenue from mining operations, enabling informed decision-making and discussions related to local mining governance. Funded by the American people through USAID's JET Minerals Challenge, this 15-month project aims to enhance transparency and accountability in natural resource governance, empower local stakeholders, and ensure a fair distribution of benefits from extractive industries.


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