Over the past decade and a half, the Philippine mining industry has experienced a dynamic and often turbulent journey shaped by evolving government policies, environmental activism, shifts in global commodity markets, and new technological and economic priorities.   From 2010 to 2025, the sector has witnessed sweeping regulatory reforms, the rise and f...

In the intensifying global race for critical minerals—crucial components in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy (RE) technologies, advanced electronics, and other strategic industries—the Philippines stands at a pivotal juncture in this global energy transition. With abundant reserves of nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements, the country h...

On July 4, 2025, I sat in a crowded forum in Quezon City as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) hosted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) policy direction. The atmosphere was subdued. No questions, no applause lines. Yet the rollout deserves a closer look, not for its promises, but for what it might enable. Signed in Februar...

In August, I attended the launch of Unilab Education (UniEd), the Unilab Group’s response to a longstanding national challenge: the mismatch between graduates’ skills and the available jobs.    At this event, attended by the Secretary of Education, the Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Chair of th...

In our ever-evolving world, the demand for minerals and energy is growing faster than ever. From the smartphones in our pockets to the electricity powering our homes, these natural resources play a vital role in our everyday lives. But finding them—hidden deep underground or beneath the ocean floor—is no easy task.   Fortunately, science and technology...

By Ronald S. Recidoro, Executive Director, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines After more than a decade of uncertainty and policy flip-flops, the reconciled version of the Mining Fiscal Regime Bill, once signed, will mark a turning point in Philippine mineral policy. It is not just the culmination of years of legislative advocacy; it is the resolution ...

The interplay of geopolitics and natural resources has become increasingly pronounced in modern times, with countries vying for access to critical minerals vital for economic and technological development. Recent events, such as the hostility between Israel and Iran, with the United States striking Iran’s three nuclear sites, have significant ripple ef...

The reassertion of the "America First" policy under the renewed Trump administration in 2025 has reshaped global trade, energy, and strategic relations. At the heart of this shift is a clear prioritization of US economic sovereignty, energy independence, and critical mineral security. Under Trump 2.0, this approach prioritizes fossil fuel expansion, domes...

(Conclusion)  By Noel B. Lazaro, Eveart Grace P. Claro, Judd Yonder L. Reyes, and Marielle D. Marbella The global push for sustainability has reached a tipping point, compelling industries to accelerate their decarbonization efforts. Nowhere is this more critical than in mining—a sector paradoxically essential for the green transition yet burdened b...

At least once a year, when International Women’s Month is celebrated in March, we are reminded to pause and take stock of the role of women in resources development. The mining industry in the Philippines, like many other countries, has traditionally been male-dominated.  Nevertheless, there are marked efforts to increase women's participation and addr...

(Part 2) Part 1 can be read HERE When I came back from my studies in Europe, I continued my studies at the UP College of Law. For me it was UP Law or bust because I financed my way to law school attending evening classes. Surely, with a meager government salary, I couldn’t have afforded pursuing law studies without the subsidy from taxpayers. I was ...

The recent October monthly meeting of the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) was filled to capacity as industry players eagerly awaited the keynote of newly appointed Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Assistant Secretary (ASec.) for Mining Concerns and concurrent OIC Director of the Mines & Geosciences Bureau (MG...

(Part One of Two) Written by Noel B. Lazaro, Eveart Grace P. Claro, Judd Yonder L. Reyes, and Marielle D. Marbella In the foothills of Brooke’s Point, Palawan, the air is thick with purpose as workers press seedlings into the earth, each one a small promise for a greener future. Two years into its operation, the Ipilan Nickel Project has planted nea...

​ It has been almost four decades since I have worked in the resources and energy industry. My career history can be set against the backdrop of the ups and downs of the industry starting from the time I began working as a government petroleum geologist up to the present where I am both a government regulator and a private law practitioner. I witnes...

In loving memory of Bernabe “Abe” Almirol, journalist (August 25, 1969 – September 17, 2023)

“A symbol of excellence, a source of motivation, of surpassing oneself and of ultimate achievement, medals are much more than objects: they represent the apotheosis in the career of elite athletes.” (Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024) The Paris 2024 Olympics or 2024 Summer Olympics, which started from July 26 and ended in August 11, brought toget...