President outlines vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive Philippine minerals industry.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. became the first sitting Philippine president in decades to attend the Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition, underscoring his administration’s resolve to revitalize the minerals industry through responsible and sustainable practices.
Speaking before an audience of industry leaders, diplomats, engineers and local government executives at the Grand Hyatt Manila on October 22, the President delivered a keynote address that many described as a defining moment for the sector.
“Irresponsible mining has no place in our nation,” Marcos declared to sustained applause. His statement, delivered with clarity and conviction, set the tone for the three-day conference organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP). The event focused on a shared goal: developing a world-class mining industry that upholds environmental integrity, transparency and equitable community benefit.
From the Gold Veins of Baguio to the Green Energy Future
“Mining has long been a great part of our nation’s story,” Marcos said. “From the gold veins of Baguio to the copper deposits of Cebu to the nickel belts in Mindanao—these resources have provided livelihoods and shaped communities throughout the years.”
The President emphasized that the industry must now redefine its role in light of global environmental challenges. “To be given this much potential is both a blessing and a responsibility,” he continued. “We are offered the chance to help power the global green transition and ensure that this progress uplifts every Filipino, especially those who live closest to the mines themselves.”
Marcos stressed that the nation’s vast mineral wealth must be harnessed to drive sustainable development, particularly as demand for critical minerals such as nickel, copper and cobalt increases to support renewable energy technologies.
Mining with Purpose
The President described responsible mining as essential to the country’s long-term growth strategy. “Here we ask the vital questions,” he told delegates. “How can the Philippines become a reliable source of critical minerals for a greener future? How can mining fuel regional industrialization and create decent, lasting jobs? And how can we open doors to responsible investment without compromising our planet or our people?”
The conference provided a platform for government, industry and civil society to explore how the Philippines can position itself as a trusted global supplier of “green metals” while ensuring environmental protection and community inclusion.
A Global Benchmark for Responsible Mining
Marcos commended the Chamber of Mines for championing the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative, an internationally recognized framework for environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance originally developed in Canada.
“The Philippines stands proud as the first in Asia to implement this program,” the President said, noting that the country now joins resource-rich nations such as Canada and Australia in promoting ethical and transparent mining practices.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), saying it ensures that revenues from mining are “managed wisely and used for the good of the people.”
“This is the kind of partnership that turns resource generation into human progress,” Marcos said. “Mining should build communities, not burden them.”
A Reform Agenda for Sustainable Growth
The President detailed a series of legislative and administrative measures forming the backbone of his administration’s mining policy:
- Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act — now enacted into law, providing a fair, consistent and transparent taxation framework to promote investor confidence and public accountability.
- Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act — ensuring that the value of forests, minerals and ecosystems is integrated into national economic planning.
- Alignment of Social Development and Management Programs (SDMPs) with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — requiring mining firms’ community programs to contribute directly to education, health and gender equality.
- Streamlined permitting procedures — reducing bureaucratic delays while tightening environmental compliance.
Marcos said these reforms are designed to cultivate a “responsible, inclusive and climate-resilient” minerals sector that attracts investors who “respect our laws, our people and our environment.”
Revenues for the People
The President reiterated that mining revenues must directly benefit communities. “The wealth from our soil should translate into schools for our children, hospitals for families and roads that link people with opportunities,” he said.
He also warned against environmental violations. “We will enforce the laws against practices that destroy forests, that poison rivers, that endanger lives,” Marcos stated.
Sustainability, he said, is the truest measure of national progress. “Sustainability is measured by how many lives we uplift and how faithfully we guard the blessings of our land for generations to come.”
Industry Applauds Reform Momentum
COMP Chairman and President Michael T. Toledo welcomed the President’s participation as a “historic moment” for the mining industry.
“In just the past few years, we’ve seen real progress—the lifting of the moratorium on new projects, the removal of the open-pit ban, the simplification of permitting, and most recently, the passage of the new fiscal regime signed into law by our most distinguished guest this morning,” Toledo said.
“These are not small steps; they mark a genuine turning point,” he added. “For years, we’ve said that responsible mining can be a partner in nation-building. Today, that belief is finally reflected in government policy and in growing public understanding.”
Toledo cited the Philippines’ dramatic rise in the Fraser Institute’s 2024 Annual Survey of Mining Companies, where the country climbed from 72nd to 16th in Investment Attractiveness and from 79th to 25th in Policy Perception. “These figures show how steady reforms are paying off,” he said.
Aligning Policy with Progress
Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla reaffirmed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) commitment to a modern fiscal and investment framework that supports responsible mining.
He said the new fiscal regime answers a “decades-old call for a fair, transparent and efficient system,” while ensuring that local governments receive their rightful share of national wealth.
Lotilla also revealed that the DENR is adopting a climate and ecosystem-based lens in evaluating mining projects. “We are recognizing that every intervention on the landscape affects water, biodiversity and communities,” he said. “This approach is strengthened by our national geospatial database, our Natural Capital Accounting System and the creation of the Water Resources Management Office to align mining operations with watershed protection.”
He further announced that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is streamlining permitting, launching a national mineral inventory by 2026 and strengthening indigenous people’s participation in benefit-sharing mechanisms.
“These reforms signal a new phase for Philippine mining,” Lotilla said. “Minerals are no longer viewed merely as commodities to extract, but as strategic assets for a clean-energy future and inclusive progress.”
A Sector Reclaimed by Responsibility
For decades, the Philippine mining industry has been dogged by environmental controversies and public distrust. Yet as global demand grows for responsibly sourced critical minerals, the country now has the opportunity to redefine its narrative.
“The story of mining in our country,” Marcos said, “is the story of our people—of how we optimize what we have to create a better future for everyone.”
He urged industry leaders and investors to ensure that operations remain “underpinned by science, guided by sustainable goals and anchored on shared interests.”
“Together,” he concluded, “let us shape a mining industry that is a source of pride, a pillar of progress and a model of sustainability.”
The Road Ahead
Turning these commitments into tangible results will require coordination among government agencies, local authorities, indigenous communities and private investors. If sustained, the Philippines could position itself as a regional leader in ethical and climate-conscious mining, supplying the minerals that will power the world’s clean-energy future—without sacrificing its own natural heritage.
For now, the President’s message is clear: the era of unchecked extraction is over. What must follow, Marcos insists, is an era where prosperity, people and the planet advance together.
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[Photo credit: Marcelle P. Villegas]
