BAGUIO CITY—Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla commended several large-scale mining companies for aggressively promoting the “big brother, small brother” cooperation, where government and industry stakeholders help smaller mining entities and operations reach compliance levels and standards required by the country’s environmental regulations.
Secretary Lotilla, who graced the business forum organized by Business Sweden and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), said the government is working hard to ensure that mining companies adhere to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), advance the development of a national geospatial database for resource mapping, and expand the use of automated sensing technologies to enhance transparency and compliance.
He pointed out that in these efforts, the Philippines looks to models such as Sweden’s best practices, particularly technology-based solutions integrated into minerals development to deliver efficiency and environmental responsibility.
“We also look forward to exploring collaboration between these institutions, such as the Lulea University of Technology, to further deepen our science-based approach and technical capabilities. It is clear that responsible minerals development today is not simply a matter of compliance. It is a matter of foresight,” Secretary Lotilla stressed.
The business forum organized by PMSEA and Business Sweden is part of the 71st Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference with the theme “Mission Impossible: Building Trust and Innovation: Strengthening Community Alliances for a Sustainable Future.”
The DENR chief assured continuity in plans, programs, and initiatives that impact the country’s mining sector.
He challenged mining industry stakeholders to help convince communities, especially those hosting mining activities, that there is always room for responsible mining in the Philippines.
According to him, there are still many things that must be done to gain the trust of communities and to reinforce trust where it already exists.
He also said there is a need to strengthen at the local level the growing support for responsible mining and to give people a fair chance to develop the country’s rich resources so they may attain a better life.
Secretary Lotilla emphasized that the business forum should remind stakeholders that technological transformation must go hand in hand with institutional cooperation and community engagement.
“Together we can build a liberal future that not only meets global demands but strengthens local capacities and safeguards our environment for generations to come,” Lotilla added.
He assured that the government will continue working with the private sector, communities, and all stakeholders to ensure that the country’s resources are maximized to uplift living conditions in remote areas.
He expressed gratitude to mining industry stakeholders who have consistently responded to the whole-of-government approach, especially during disasters in recent years.
The DENR secretary said mining companies deserve recognition for their efforts to respond during rescue operations and help rehabilitate affected communities, as this is an important part of private sector responsibility.
Among the large-scale mining companies that have aggressively promoted and practiced the big brother, small brother partnership are the Davao-based Apex Mining Company Inc. in Maco, Davao de Oro, and its subsidiary Itogon Suyoc Resources Inc. (ISRI) located in Itogon, Benguet.
