Nickel industry group backs EO on critical minerals

The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) on Tuesday welcomed the executive order (EO) issued by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. that seeks to capitalize on the country's critical minerals such as nickel.

The group said the EO leverages critical minerals as national assets.

"This is a major shift in perspective. It recognizes that our mineral resources are not simply commodities to extract, but strategic national assets that can support industrialization, infrastructure, energy security, digital transformation, and the clean energy transition," the PNIA said in a statement.

The EO No. 122 pushes for a Unified National Policy Framework for Developing the Critical Minerals Industry.

Under the EO, the Board of Investments shall also offer incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act for downstream refining, battery production, and side-stream industries, while providing for domestic processing plants priority access to mineral ores at fair market prices.

The order also reorganizes the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) to drive strategic growth in the critical minerals sector.

The PNIA added that it also approves the strengthening of the MICC's role as provided in the order.

"Its mandate to review regulatory gaps, address barriers to investment, monitor implementation, and regularly convene government provides an important institutional platform to sustain coordination and reform over the long term," it said.

According to the BOI, the Philippines has $1 trillion in unexploited minerals such as copper, nickel, gold, silver, and zinc that could help boost the mining industry amid the rising demand for EVs, semiconductors, and renewable energy.

EXPLAINER: What are critical minerals?

The Philippines accounted for 25.41% of global nickel exports in 2024. Its mineral exports stood at $7.62 billion in 2025, up from $6.20 billion the previous year.

"The global race for critical minerals is already underway. The Philippines has the resources, the global interest is here, and we now have an even stronger national policy direction. Our shared task is to convert this moment into responsible investments, stronger industries, quality jobs, and lasting prosperity for Filipinos," the PNIA said.

The Department of Finance earlier expressed support for the EO, saying that it “sets the stage for the Philippines to move beyond raw mineral extraction and exports, and capture greater value from its natural resources.” — BM, GMA News