President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed his full support for the mining industry – the second chief executive to do so since 1987 – but warned that irresponsible operations would not be tolerated by his administration.
In his keynote speech during the Mining Philippines 2025 Conference and Exhibition, the President said that every mining operation in the country must be consistent with international environmental commitments and should not endanger the lives of Filipinos in communities hosting the extractive businesses.
“Irresponsible mining has no place in our nation. We will strictly enforce laws against practices that destroy forests, that poison rivers, that endanger lives,” Marcos Jr. said.
“Mining should build communities, not burden them,” he added, as he stressed that mining revenues must bring tangible benefits to Filipinos.
According to the President, his administration is strengthening transparency and accountability in the sector by passing key reform legislation, including the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act (Republic Act No. 12253), and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act (Republic Act No. 11995).
Post-Edsa, Marcos Jr. is only the second chief executive, next to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to fully support the industry from the beginning of his term, banking on its vast economic potential.
Based on data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the country has 9 million hectares of land identified as having high-mineral potential. However, only 9 percent of it, or around 730,000 ha, is covered by mining tenements.
As of September, there are 60 operating metallic mines, 51 non-metallic mines, and 63 declared “Minahang Bayan” or small scale mining areas.
Records show that last year, exports of minerals and mineral products reached P431 billion, with gold, nickel ore and nickel products, and copper being the country’s top mineral exports.
Full support to any sector or industry is always welcome, as long as it comes with commensurate accountability, especially for those like mining that have had a history of being destructive and irresponsible. The country potentially has a lot to gain if our government can sustainably maximize the benefits of mining and at the same time minimize its negative impacts. Hopefully the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can make it a part of its legacy, instead of tarnishing it.*
