President Marcos on Wednesday reiterated his call for the enactment of the proposed Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime bill, which aims to reinforce sustainable mining practices and ensure fair regulations in the Philippine mining sector.
The Chief Executive renewed his push for this priority legislative measure in his speech at the 2023 Philippine Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) ceremony in Malacañang, where he recognized responsible mining firms.
“I urge all our dedicated agencies and esteemed members of Congress to support the Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime. This crucial bill, which I highlighted in my 2023 SONA is fundamental to creating a fair and equitable mining environment for everyone involved,” the President said.
Mr. Marcos also highlighted the crucial role of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in enforcing these regulations to foster responsible mining practices. He acknowledged the implementation of related policies to ensure the accomplishment of these goals.
“We continue to refine and enhance our mining policies to reflect these priorities. We plan to boost local value addition through mineral processing, strengthen environmental safeguards, and ensure that communities are genuine beneficiaries of the wealth generated from mining operations.”
In conferring the 2023 PMIEA, President Marcos honored 13 mining firms for their environmental and safety practices. He encouraged these companies to continue being leaders in responsible mining by sharing their best practices with the next generation of industry professionals.
“You have set a high bar, embodying what it means to create value that extends beyond profit and demonstrating to the public that it is not enough to just meet regulations; we must strive to go beyond them. I encourage you to be ambassadors of responsible mining,” he told the awardees.
The PMIEA was established through Executive Order 399, which is the country’s highest environmental award for mining companies. It recognizes outstanding achievements in environmental protection, safety, health, and social development.
