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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits the Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition. Photo from the Presidential Communications Office Facebook page.

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Irresponsible mining has ‘no place’ in Philippines: Marcos Jr

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the Philippines will not tolerate irresponsible mining, and stressed that mineral resources must be used for responsible investments “without compromising the planet or our people.” In his speech for the two-day Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition this year, Marcos said these resources have provided livelihood and shaped Philippine communities throughout the years, describing it as a “blessing and responsibility.”But the President posed the question: how can the country be a dependable source of critical minerals without compromising a “greener” future? “How can mining fuel regional industrialization and create decent, lasting jobs?” Marcos, Jr. asked. The President emphasized that all mining operations must be aligned with the government’s environmental commitment. This includes the Paris Agreement and the Philippine Energy Plan. “We must power the future without endangering the earth that sustains us. 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,” he said. “Mining should build communities, not burden them,” he added. Aside from this, Marcos said mining revenues must have “tangible benefits” to the public, such as schools, hospitals, and roads, as the government also pushes for transparency and accountability of the mining sector. “The Filipino people deserve to know how their resources are being managed, for these are their treasures as much as they are the nation’s,” he said.  “Sustainability, after all, is measured by how many lives we uplift and how faithfully we guard the blessings of our land for the generations to come,” he added. For these to happen, the President said he passed the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act. The Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act mandates mining companies that operate within the government’s designated mining sites to pay a royalty of five percent of their gross output. Meanwhile, the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act sought to clamp down on possible exploitation of natural resources while ensuring sustainable development. But Marcos admitted that more can be done for the mining industry.“To fully attain the aspiration of this sector, we must continue to attract investors who share our values—those who respect our laws, those who respect our people, and those that respect our environment,” he said.<div>&#x27;RENEWED SENSE OF ENERGY’</div>For his part, Mike Toledo, chairman and president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, said there is a “renewed sense of energy” in Philippine mining. He also touted new policies and regulations that support responsible mining backed by the current administration. “We need consistent rules, affordable energy. And better alignment between national and local policies. But we know the government recognizes this and getting it right can unlock billions in investments… and uplift communities that need it most,” said Toledo in his remarks. “The Philippines needs another strong pillar of growth. (JC) Our industry is resilient and adaptable. If we continue to operate responsibly… and transparently, mining can once again be one of the drivers of our economy,” he said. Toledo said the current mining industry in the Philippines is shaping what mining should be – and described irresponsible mining as “unacceptable.”

Marcos said the Philippines will not tolerate irresponsible mining and stressed that mineral resources must be used for responsible investments.

Marcos said the Philippines will not tolerate irresponsible mining and stressed that mineral resources must be used for responsible investments.

Irresponsible mining has no place in Philippines: Marcos

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Irresponsible mining has no place in Philippines: Marcos

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 22, 2025 02:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Mining

Philippine Mining Act

Bongbong Marcos

mineral resources

CHamber of Mines of the Philippines

environment

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