PH laws too restrictive on mining sector, says PCCI

The country’s largest business organization said local laws were restrictive for the mining sector, holding back the potential of the sector to be a major economic contributor.

George Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), last week said that the government was imposing numerous taxes on commercial mining firms as well as environmental regulations that were causing investors to hesitate.

“The fact is, when our laws are too strict, the legitimate miners tend to be more careful because it’s a big investment,” Barcelon said during a forum organized by the group at the Astoria Plaza in Pasig City.

“It’s the small miners that don’t follow the rules and they are the ones that create a lot of issues and pollution,” he added.

Barcelon said further that more mining should be allowed today due to modern-day technology being available to ensure it is not harming the environment.

“You can monitor them with drones, twenty-four-seven. We were afraid of mining before that they may be spilling their refuse irresponsibly. Now, we can monitor them all the time,” he said.

Barcelon also highlighted the benefits of responsible mining in the communities where they are located.

“The benefit to communities is that schools and hospitals are built, as well as more commerce and trade. And these are the people who are in the (micro, small and medium enterprises),” he said.

The Philippines’ mining industry contributed P102.3 billion to the Philippines gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

In 2022, the value of metal production expanded by 29.21 percent to P175.61 billion during the first three quarters of the year.

According to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, the Philippines is estimated to have about $1 trillion worth of untapped copper, gold, nickel, zinc and silver reserves.

Of these, only 5 percent have been explored, and 3 percent covered by mining contracts.