Baguio City—The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) signed a memorandum of understanding to implement a P280-million US-funded technical assistance for the Partnership for Sustainable Development and Investment in Mineral Extraction and Processing spearheaded by the University of the Philippines Public Administration Foundation (UPPAF).
The partnership agreement is a comprehensive program to help establish the Philippines’ positioning as a major global value chain player in the clean energy sector by maximizing the country’s mineral potential and increasing value addition through mineral processing.
PNIA chairman Antonio Co said the nickel industry association is grateful to be invited as a partner and collaborator in accelerating the development and advancement of the Philippines’ critical minerals sector which would also enhance consultation mechanisms between the government and the private sector.
“The partnership is a significant boost to PNIA’s industry promotion and development efforts, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of the nickel industry and attract investors by improving ease of doing business and ensuring a predictable regulatory environment,” said Co.
“This is a significant follow-through to the high-level meetings and roundtable sessions with the DENR, DTI, DOF, and USAID this year. We thank the UPPAF-USAID for involving ARTA in the partnership, as their mandate and expertise can significantly improve governance and processes in the mining sector,” he said.
Established in 2012, PNIA was organized to be the single voice of the industry in championing and positioning the nickel development sector as a globally competitive and responsible driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Philippines.
PNIA signed the agreement at the US Ambassador’s Residence in Baguio City on Nov. 16, 2023 together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga; Anti-Red Tape Authority director-general Ernesto Perez; officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government; Department of Trade and Industry; Department of Finance (DOF); Dr. Enrico Basilio, chief of party of USAID’s Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND) Project; and the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP).
PNIA said its members, representing almost 50 percent of the nickel mining industry, are committed and ready to contribute their technical expertise, best practices and industry experience.
“PNIA has a wealth of information and experience that can help inform discussions on how to advance policy, governance, and regulatory reforms for the nickel mining industry in ways that will unlock economic potential while upholding responsible mining and inclusive and sustainable development for mining communities,” said Co.
Co said the outcome of the technical assistance is critical for the Philippines to stand out in Southeast Asia, as investors view the region as the emerging green industry hub of the world due to its cost advantages.
“Aside from Indonesia, the Philippines is the only other country in Southeast Asia with a large untapped nickel supply. This is why the technical assistance came at the right time when we need to accelerate industry development efforts to attract investors and convince them of the viability of the Philippines as a minerals processing and green technology manufacturing destination,” he said.
DOF Undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano said in his speech during the signing ceremony that critical minerals like nickel have untapped potential that can boost national economic development.
“We’re exporting around $1 billion of nickel, and if we actually do some processing, we estimated that you can increase that value to around $15 billion to $20 billion, which is 15 percent to 20 percent more,” said Adriano.