[April 6, 2026] Philippine Mining and Exploration Association Monthly Membership Meeting welcomed Engr. Larry M. Heradez as the newly-appointed Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
Engr. Heradez is a graduate of Mapua University, and has a career in MGB that spans for more than 30 years. In the past, he served as regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the Caraga region, based in Surigao City. In this role, he oversaw mining regulation and geoscience programs in this region where several large-scale mining operations is based. Caraga region is known as a major mining hub for the Philippines.
During the PMEA Monthly Membership Meeting, Engr. Heradez gave a keynote address with the title “Transforming DENR: From Gatekeepers to Nation Builders”.
Engr. Heradez discussed the issuance of mining permits, accelerating the process, and the transformation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The focus is on improving engagement with the mining sector and supporting responsible development.
He said, “These are not just internal directives, but they shape how we engage with the industry, how we regulate and how we support responsible development moving forward.”
“The next two-and-a-half years will be critical in driving this transformation,” he pointed out.
Engr. Heradez also mentioned about the presidential mandate to speed up the issuance of mining permits.
“We have the presidential mandate that speed is non-negotiable…This means accelerating how we process and respond to stakeholders and upon operational concerns. This also comes with accountability performance matters and we are expected to deliver results, and not just acknowledge issues. At the end of the day, our pace directly affects investments, job creation, and overall economic activity in the sector.”
He enumerated the “Three Pillars of Organizational Transformation”, namely a proactive approach, decentralized authority, and unified operations.
The strategy in achieving this transformation goal includes a proactive approach to identify potential issues early. Decentralization empowers regional officers to act quickly and decisively, while unified operations ensure alignment and prevent bottlenecks in compliant projects.
Engr. Heradez also emphasized a shift in mindset from gatekeepers to facilitators of responsible development.
“There is also a shift in mindset from being seen primarily as gatekeepers. We are moving towards becoming facilitators of responsible development in MGB. This means guiding proponents through the permitting process, helping ensure compliance and addressing issues early without compromising environmental and safety standards,” Engr. Heradez said.
Initiatives like mobile one-stop shops aim to bring services closer to stakeholders. Additionally, an online system for application processing is being developed to reduce decision times.
Moreover, stakeholder engagement and building trust are priorities for the mining sector.
He also highlighted the importance of good practices and responsible mining.
“We recognize the importance of highlighting good practices and responsible mining to help improve public understanding of the sector.”
For collective accountability, he noted that the performance of one region or the result of one project reflects back on the bureau.
In general, the call to action is to move faster, work closely, and deliver results that benefit the industry and communities.
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Here are some key take-aways from Engr. Heradez:
Transforming DENR: From Gatekeepers to Nation Builders
A. Presidential Mandate: Speed is non-negotiable.
Direct order "Speed up everything" - Responsiveness is paramount. All teams must accelerate decision-making and execution.
-- Non-performing personnel will be replaced. - We will not hesitate to remove underperformers to maintain organizational agility.
-- From acknowledgement to actionable feedback - Shift focus from recognition to actionable feedback and measurable results.
-- Economic growth and job creation - Economic growth and job creation depend on our velocity. KPIs must reflect speed-based outcomes.
B. Three Pillars of Organizational Transformation:
1. Proactive Approach - Shift from reactive/defensive to anticipatory service delivery, enabling early issue resolution and continuous improvement
2. Decentralized Authority - Regional directors empowered with decision-making accountability to accelerate responses and adapt locally.
3. Unified Operations - Mandatory joint EMB-MGB coordination per DAO 2018-18 to ensure integrated workflows and consistent implementation.
C. Mindset Revolution: Facilitators, Not Gatekeepers
Causality flow emphasized - a clear transformation journey where each arrow indicates the next stage of mindset shift
1. From Permitting Gatekeepers (initial stance focused on restriction and control)
2. to compliance partners (shift toward collaboration to meet standards effectively)
3. enabling project success (active support that removes barriers and accelerates delivery)
4. and enabling project success (outcomes-focused approach that stimulates growth and employment).
D. Game-Changing Initiatives for Rapid Service Delivery
1. Mobile One-Stop Shop - Deploy units to bring streamlined services directly to mining communities, accelerating permit processing and on-site support.
2. Permitting on Wheels Nationwide - Roll out EMB vans to remove geographic barriers, enabling fast, equitable permitting and field inspections across regions.
3. Automatic Approvals - Implementing rule-based systems with built-in safeguards to fast-track approvals while maintaining compliance and auditability.
E. Stakeholder Engagement: Building Trust Through Action
1. Active Collaboration - Engage NGOs, civil society, and local communities through genuine partnership.
2. Regional Authority - Directors authorized for media engagement with COMMS support to ensure transparency.
3. Success Stories - Proactively identify and communicate achievements to the public to build trust.
F. Collective Accountability: One team, One Mission
1. Unified Responsibility - Regional teams are accountable as unified units; success or failure is shared across the whole group, promoting collective ownership and coordinated action.
2. Reputation Matters - A single negative incident reflects on the entire department; individual action have collective consequences, so proactive care and alignment with standards are essential.
3. Self-Discipline & Authority - Personnel are expected to maintain integrity and consistent conduct; regional directors exercise authority while remain fully accountable for outcomes.
Conclusion: Call to Action: 2.5 Years to Transform the Nation - Move fast with purpose. Every decision impacts economic growth and livelihoods. The nation is watching--deliver excellence now!
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Director Larry M. Heradez
central@mgb.gov.ph
www.mgb.gov.ph
