The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines expressed dismay over the decision of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan to implement a 50-year moratorium on mining, calling the move “myopic.”
“The Palawan mining moratorium just diminished the province’s prospects for a holistic approach to sustainable development for 50 years,” local miners said in a statement on March 6, 2025.
While they recognize the protection of the environment as the key reason behind the decision, they also pointed out that the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and other supporting laws, rules, and regulations already provide stringent environmental safeguards that ensure environmental sustainability in communities where mining operates.
As of December 2023, the miners said that mining companies in the MIMAROPA region have, in fact, planted 3.79 million seedlings in more than 502 hectares of mined-out and other areas, with a survival rate of nearly 90%. These companies have also committed a total of PhP22 billion for their Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programs (EPEPs), PhP3.39 billion of which these companies already spent for their Annual EPEPs. Moreover, these companies have lodged a total of PhP818.17 million for their Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Fund within the same period.
While approved mining tenements – most of them not operating – occupy only 3.8% of MIMAROPA’s total land area, the industry accounts for 7.5% of the total Gross Regional Domestic Product. Bulk of the contributions come from operating large-scale metallic mines in Palawan.
When considering sustainability, local miners said they strongly believe that it is of utmost importance to not only focus on protecting the environment but also on investments in the well-being and development of people, including their health, education, and skills as passports from poverty and a vital component of a long-term sustainable future.
“Mining companies are mandated to do just that. Apart from employing thousands of local workers and encouraging the flourishing of other businesses that also create jobs, mining projects in MIMAROPA have spent a total of PhP350.47 million for their Annual Social Development and Management Programs,” the statement added.
Through these programs, the group said, these companies invest proceeds from mining in building schools, providing scholarships, conducting livelihood and skills training, advancing life-long employability, and constructing roads and other infrastructure in far-flung rural areas that otherwise would have no access to these services.
“We maintain that through mining, local governments are greatly supported in their programs that promote a well-educated and skilled workforce — essential to develop sustainable technologies to address environmental challenges,” the statement added.
Sustainable development requires addressing social inequalities, ensuring everyone has access to quality healthcare, education, and opportunities to thrive. Sustainable mining’s efforts to invest in human capital enhances communities’ ability to adapt to environmental changes and recover from disasters.
“The moratorium limits the country’s ability to plan and strategize about its mineral wealth at a time when the global demand for critical minerals is rising. In this scenario, the Philippine government has a responsibility to the people to develop its mineral resources responsibly for the good of the many. Palawan cannot and should not limit the national government’s ability to do so,” it said.
