FOREWORD Message from the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines In 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP-BHR), a set of standards that expound on the State’s duty to protect human rights, the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and the duty to remedy abuses. This is a document that marks a milestone – one that lays down the principles and practices of human rights to be respected while in pursuit of business. Significantly, the UNGP-BHR prescribes the behavior that should be observed across industries and the measures expected from States. The Commission on Human Rights, as the national human rights institution with the mandate to promote and protect human rights in the Philippines, is your partner in mainstreaming UNGP-BHR. Along with programs to popularize the UNGP-BHR and handling relevant cases, it has actively advocated for the BHR agenda in the country since 2011. It has drafted position papers to include business and human rights-related provisions in the proposed legislation. Also, it has been working closely with different stakeholders, CSOs, and government agencies alike in enhancing existing mechanisms, such as through the crafting of guidelines in the national monitoring of human rights compliance in the mining industry and endorses the adoption by the Philippines of a national action plan on BHR. As such, this guidance document is another tangible tool that will assist advocates in popularizing BHR in the country. Through this document, the Commission, together with its partners manifests our commitment to engage all stakeholders, share knowledge and best practices, gain a deeper understanding of the UN Guiding Principles, and help everyone understand their role, keeping in mind the pillars of Respect, Protect, and Remedy. I would like to extend my congratulations to the Multi-Stakeholder BHR Group and everyone who in one way or another contributed to this document. May this catalyze building solutionoriented mechanisms addressing human rights issues in the context of business activities, and more importantly for collaboration among the stakeholders. JOSE LUIS MARTIN C. GASCON Chairperson i