Responsible Minerals Development:
Sustainability, Innovation, Environmental Stewardship and the Future Direction of Philippine Mining
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Mining in a Changing Development Landscape
The minerals sector is no longer viewed only through extraction.
It is now central to climate action, energy transition, infrastructure, digital technologies and resilient economic growth.
CLIMATE ACTION
Critical minerals for low-carbon technologies
ENERGY TRANSITION
Batteries, renewable energy and power systems
INFRASTRUCTURE
Construction, manufacturing, transport and connectivity
RESPONSIBLE SUPPLY CHAINS
ESG, traceability, resilience and strategic partnerships
Bottom line: The future of mining will be defined not only by what we extract, but by how responsibly we govern, develop and use our mineral resources.
DENR’s Strategic Position
Responsible minerals development means enabling compliant projects to move forward, while ensuring that mining remains pro-people, pro-environment and aligned with national interest.
CLEAR RULES AND SCIENCE
Predictable permitting, evidence-based decisions and consistent regulation
ACCOUNTABLE PERFORMANCE
Compliance, monitoring, transparency and delivery of approved commitments
STRONG SAFEGUARDS
Environmental protection, mine safety, rehabilitation and community welfare
Faster government action must be matched by responsible development and measurable public value.
Current Direction: Faster Action, Stronger Accountability
The Department is moving toward a more responsive regulatory environment without lowering environmental, social and governance standards.
Government will act faster. Industry must act responsibly, transparently, and with measurable results.
STREAMLINE
Facilitate compliant applications through clearer and more predictable processes.
STRENGTHEN
Maintain safeguards through monitoring, enforcement, and field-based validation.
DELIVER
Ensure permit holders implement approved work programs, commitments, and safeguards.
Faster action does not mean weaker standards
Permit Movement: Clear, Timely and Accountable Action
As of 25 May 2026, the Department has acted on key mining-related permits and approvals under Secretary Cuna.
EPs Approved
8
EPs Renewed
5
MPSA Approved / Renewed
1
DMPF Approved
1
WHAT THIS SIGNALS
Movement in the system, while maintaining compliance,
technical review and environmental safeguards.
Sustainability as the Operating Standard
Responsible mining must be measured not only by approvals or production but by performance across the full mining life cycle.
Exploration
Science-based assessment and early risk identification
Development
Environmental safeguards and social preparation
Operations
Compliance monitoring, safety, and delivery of commitments
Closure
Rehabilitation, post-mining land use, and long-term accountability
Mining must demonstrate environmental stewardship, safety, community benefit, and credible rehabilitation.
Operating Standard
Transparency Hub: Building Trust Through Verifiable Data
The DENR and MGB are moving toward stronger public accountability by making mining-related information clearer, more accessible and evidence-based.
From claims to verified information
Water, air, rehabilitation and compliance information
Environmental Monitoring
SDMP tracking, delivery rates and community benefits
Social Commitments
Transparency packs, public updates and crisis response
Verified Communication
Public trust must be built on data, proof, and timely disclosure, not broad assurances alone.
Transparency Objective
Innovation and Digital Governance
Innovation in mining governance means using better data, digital tools, and science-based systems to improve permitting, monitoring, transparency and decision-making.
Better data, faster service, stronger oversight and more credible decisions.
Innovation Focus
From fragmented processes to integrated systems
DIGITAL PERMITTING
Workflow tracking, document management and accountable processing
SCIENCE-BASED DATA
Geologic, environmental, hazard and risk information for better decisions
SMARTER MONITORING
Field validation, compliance tracking and early detection of issues
MOSS: Bringing Reform to Small-Scale Mining Communities
The Mobile One-Stop Shop brings government services directly to small-scale mining areas to support formalization, safety, environmental compliance and access to legitimate markets.
From informal activity to responsible formalization
On-site Government Services
Permits, Licenses, agency booths and regulatory guidance
Technical Assistance
Work programs, safety & health, environmental protection and processing support
Formal Market Access
BSP-accredited gold buying, financing links and tax guidance
Mineral Diplomacy: Building Responsible & Secure Partnerships
Growing international interest in Philippine minerals must be translated into partnerships that strengthen responsible mining, technology transfer, geoscience capacity, rehabilitation, processing and value creation.
From resource interest to strategic partnerships
Partnerships should support national capability, responsible supply chains and domestic value creation.
Strategic Value
Future Direction: Responsible Value Creation
The next phase of Philippine mining must move beyond extraction toward responsible, value-adding, transparent and resilient minerals development.
From mineral potential to national value
Mining must earn public trust through performance, transparency, community benefit and environmental stewardship.
Industry Direction
Thank you
ASec. Michael V. Cabalda
mvcabalda@denr.gov.ph
www.denr.gov.ph