alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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The Philippines has the highest disaster risk from extreme natural events and negative climate change impacts in the world, according to the 2025 World Risk Index. As part of Canada’s continued support to advancing climate resilience in the region, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, The Honourable Randeep Sarai, recently visited Alinea’s project team and partner province, Bohol. Together with Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. David Hartman, Secretary Sarai learned how the Governance for Climate and Disaster Resilience (Gov-CDR) Project works to strengthen the resilience of communities to natural and climate-induced hazards. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Gov-CDR Project focuses on six provinces that are highly vulnerable to climate change: Kalinga, Aklan, Bohol, Samar, Bukidnon and Davao de Oro.

Loboc River Watershed Management Council

As part of their visit, Secretary Sarai, Ambassador Hartman, and the rest of the Canadian delegation witnessed the signing of two Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) in the Municipality of Loboc on November 15, 2025. The first MOA formalized the creation of the Loboc River Watershed Management Council (LRWMC), a multi-sectoral body tasked with overseeing sustainable efforts across the Loboc River Watershed which spans 67,563 hectares and covering 15 municipalities—the biggest in Bohol. The council will guide efforts that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsive. Its mandate includes preventing further degradation of the watershed and supporting the restoration of its protective and productive functions, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of this vital ecosystem. The MOA signing was led by the Government of Bohol represented by Provincial Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Officer Jose Cleo Colis, Loboc Mayor Raymond Jala, and the mayors of the 14 other municipalities that comprise the council.

The second MOA formalized the partnership between the newly formed LRWMC and Gov-CDR Project. Under this agreement, the LRWMC and Alinea Philippines commit to work collaboratively to support municipalities within the Loboc Watershed Ecosystem as a unified alliance to better understand and manage the climate and disaster risks affecting both the upstream biophysical systems and the downstream tourism and livelihoods. The partnership will also ensure that all initiatives are sustainable and responsive to Gender Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).

In his speech, Secretary Sarai expressed his appreciation for the ongoing efforts to strengthen climate and disaster resilience in the Philippines, noting the recent series of typhoons and earthquakes that have caused severe damage to communities, lives, businesses, and infrastructure in the country. He emphasized Canada’s commitment to supporting countries across the Indo-Pacific as climate-related disasters become more frequent and intense. Secretary Sarai congratulated the local governments for institutionalizing the LRWMC, recognizing their collective leadership in protecting, conserving, and sustainably managing the watershed to benefit agriculture, eco-tourism, and nature-based hazard protection. He also expressed his gratitude for witnessing these efforts firsthand and highlighted Canada’s support through the Gov-CDR Project, reaffirming Canada’s solidarity with the Filipino people.

The event was also attended by national government agencies, including Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and National Irrigation Administration (NIA); partners from the Academe, Bohol Island State University (BISU)-Bilar; partners from the development sector, the Philippine Red Cross; and other local stakeholders.

A tour of the Loboc river followed, with a discussion of Gov-CDR’s assistance led by one of the Project’s Local Resource Partners Mr. Aurelio S. Salgados Jr., Executive Director of Participatory Research, Organization of Communities and Education towards Struggle for Self-reliance (PROCESS-Bohol Inc.) and Project Director, Ms. Marion Villanueva as part of the Project’s activity of Scoping and Assessing Climate Change and Disaster Risk (CCDR) Assessments for Climate Action ongoing in the six provinces.

Balilihan Association of Women for Development (BAWOD)

Canada has long supported inclusive development initiatives in Bohol, including the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project, the Women’s Rights Action and Advocacy Project implemented by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED).

In Balilihan, the GREAT Women Project helped strengthen the Balilihan Association of Women for Development (BAWOD)—a women-led organization engaged in food processing, handicrafts, and eco-friendly enterprises.

Secretary Sarai and Ambassador Hartman, and the Canadian delegation met with BAWOD members and Balilihan Mayor Esther Patrisha V. Chatto to listen to community stories about how Canada’s support has helped sustain their livelihoods and how agriculture strengthened women’s participation in the local economy.

After the discussions, the delegation witnessed a live demonstration of how the BAWOD members produce its organic products, such as banana chips, squash noodles, and papaya pickles.

In 2025, through the Governance for Climate and Disaster Resilience (Gov-CDR) Project, BAWOD and other women-led organizations in the Loboc River Watershed deepened their understanding of climate change and disaster resilience. They have committed to supporting local climate action, including tree-growing and watershed protection activities that are climate adaptive—linking women’s economic empowerment with environmental sustainability and resilience building.