Marcos: Irresponsible mining has no place in society

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed Wednesday that his administration would strictly implement regulations against irresponsible mining practices.

“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,” Marcos said in his speech during the opening of Mining Philippines 2025: International Conference and Exhibition in Taguig City. 

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

Marcos committed that his administration shares a common vision of a responsible, inclusive, and climate-resilient mining in the country.

Every mining operation should be consistent with the Philippines' environmental commitments, including the Paris Agreement and the Philippine Energy Plan, the President pointed out.

''We must power the future without endangering the earth that sustains us,'' Marcos said.

Revenues

As for the revenues from mining, Marcos said these must bring tangible benefits to the people. 

“The wealth from our soil should translate into schools for our children, hospitals for families, and roads that link people with opportunities,” Marcos said.  

He also cited the importance of strengthening transparency and accountability in 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,'' Marcos said.

In September, Marcos signed the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act, which aims to simplify and rationalize the fiscal regime for large-scale metallic mining by removing tax distinctions based on mining agreements. 

The new law seeks to ensure an equitable share of mining revenues for the government while upholding the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance in the mining industry.

Among the salient features is imposing a 5-tier, margin-based royalty at rates ranging from 1% to 5% on income from metallic mining operations outside mineral reservations, and a minimum royalty rate of 0.1% on gross output for mines below the margin threshold. —KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News