By MIKE ABOUT TOWN – Mike Toledo | The Philippine Star | November 13, 2025, 12:00AM

PBBM with Secretary Lotilla, and the author STAR/ File

Just recently, and after a two-year hiatus, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) held Mining Philippines 2025 to “set the tone for a new era” in the industry.

With the theme “From Policy to Progress: Driving Mining Through Innovation and Investment,” the two-day international conference and exhibition convened at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City and brought together government officials, industry executives, investor delegates and community representatives to chart the future of mining in the Philippines.

In my opening remarks as the chairman and president of the Chamber, I stressed that “at a time of global uncertainty —with economic headwinds, geopolitical tensions, and the mounting effects of climate change—the Philippines needs another strong pillar of growth.” I recalled that mining once accounted for over 20 percent of the Philippines’ export earnings, and expressed confidence that the industry can regain that status.

I also highlighted important recent policy reforms as “not small steps” but signaling a real turning point.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (center) is joined by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Raphael Lotilla (to his right) and the author and COMP chairman Atty. Michael T. Toledo (to his left), along with members of the COMP Board of Trustees: (from left) DMCI Mining Corp. chairman and CEO Isidro Consunji, Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. director Anthony Te, Carrascal Nickel Corp. president Antonio Co, Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. director Adrian Ramos, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. president and COO Bryan Yap, Coral Bay Nickel Corp. president and CEO Naoki Kawai, Philex Mining Corp. president and CEO Eulalio Austin Jr., Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. president Dante Bravo, COMP vice chairman and Nickel Asia Corp. president and CEO Martin G. Zamora, TVI Resource Development Phils., Inc. managing director Michael Regino, OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. president Joan Adaci-Cattiling and Fortun Narvasa and Salazar Atty. Roderick Salazar III

I emphasized that the industry must operate “responsibly, sustainably, and transparently” in order to be a strong driver of the economy. I noted remaining challenges: consistent rules, reliable infrastructure, affordable energy, and alignment of national/local policies.

In essence, my opening remarks conveyed a message of optimism for the Philippine mining industry, anchored on several pillars: recognition of the sector’s past export strength, and ambition to restore it; acknowledgement of recent policy reforms (moratorium lifted, open-pit ban removed, fiscal regime introduced) as game-changers; emphasis on responsibility (social, environmental, governance) as non-negotiable if mining is to be a growth driver; and call-out of the continued need for structural support (infrastructure, energy, stable policy) to unlock mining’s potential.

The event opened with a keynote address by no less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) who was gracious enough to accept our invitation to be the conference guest of honor and speaker. PBBM emphasized that mining should no longer be viewed purely as extraction of metals, but as a strategic contributor to the clean-energy revolution and community upliftment.

Philex Mining Corp.’s VP-operations and resident manager Ricardo S. Dolipas II and chief finance officer Romeo B. Bachoco and PBBM

“Irresponsible mining has no place in our nation. We will strictly enforce the laws against practices that destroy forests, that poison rivers, that endanger lives” was the President’s strong message.

President Marcos also noted that the Philippines possesses vast reserves of critical minerals now in demand globally for electric vehicles, batteries and new technology. He called on the industry to become “a reliable source of critical minerals for a greener future.”

He also highlighted recent reforms: the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large?Scale Metallic Mining Act and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act, designed to give clearer tax, environmental and transparency frameworks for mining operations. He urged the sector to ensure that mining revenues translate into schools, hospitals, infrastructure for communities near mining operations.

“Mining should build communities, not burden them,” the President iterated.

The next major speaker was Raphael Lotilla, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). He laid out how the government intends to modernize, digitize and strengthen the mining regulatory regime.

Among his announcements: a government-led mineral mapping and inventory to launch in 2026; permitting and spatial monitoring reforms, including use of space-based monitoring to track compliance; and aligning mining companies’ Social Development and Management Plans (SDMPs) with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The good Secretary positioned these steps as part of a shift from seeing minerals merely as commodities to viewing them as strategic assets for a clean-energy future and inclusive progress.

The conference also featured panels and sessions that focused on innovation, investment and sustainable practice in the mining sector.
Panelists discussed how to position Philippine mining firms as trusted suppliers in global supply chains of green technology; the role of automation, digitalization and data-driven environmental monitoring; benefit-sharing with local communities and indigenous peoples, and how the sector must deliver tangible benefits beyond profits; and exploration of regional industrialization anchored by mining operations that add value locally (e.g., processing, refining) rather than just exporting raw ore.

There were also panel sessions on the Toward Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative of the Chamber and on the most recent law on the enhanced mining fiscal regime, a session which I also moderated.

Mining Philippines 2025 served as a critical moment for the country’s mining industry — a reset of sorts. With high-level political support, ambitious reforms and global market tailwinds for critical minerals, the Philippines is seeking to turn its mineral-rich endowment into sustainable growth for communities and the nation.

The challenge ahead: ensuring that the talk and intent translate into action on the ground — in operations, in transparency, in community outcomes, and in environmental protection.

As it is said, bring it on!

Source: The Philippine Star