On 11 May 2012, Philippines was one of the 98 countries in the Committee of World Food Security (CFS) who officially endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT) in Rome, Italy. VGGT is as a set of guidelines that can be used as a reference, given the different national contexts that need to be taken into account in defining the governance of land and natural resources.

ANGOC has been promoting the use of VGGT through implementing projects partnered with national and international organizations such as GIZ-Philippines, National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI), and Philippine Development Forum – Working Group on Sustainable Rural Development (PDF-SRD).

On 11-14 July 2016, FAO and ANGOC conducted the training of trainers on “Increase the use of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT) among CSOs and Grassroots Organizations in the Philippines” in Tagaytay City.

Twenty two farmers, fisherfolks, indigenous peoples, and CSOs from different parts of the country participated in the workshop to increase their understanding and use of VGGT within the national context with the view of improving land governance in the country. The four-day course:  (i) fostered understanding on the background and process of the VGGT; (ii) explained the main topics covered by the VGGT; (iii) identified main actors and processes and their respective roles; and (iv) formulated an action plan to apply the VGGT in support of land rights work of the basic sectors.

From their own experiences on non-recognition of their rights, participants assessed the threats of their cases, the actors and their roles and influences.