President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign an executive order that could cut mining permit processing times from anywhere between 11 years to just 11 months, in a move aimed at unlocking investments in the country’s mineral sector.
As reported by Business Mirror, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the proposed reform seeks to eliminate bureaucratic delays without weakening regulatory safeguards.
“(The EO) will be able to cut down the permitting process for the Philippines from an average of 11 years to 11 months without cutting corners, but just cutting red tape,” Rodolfo said.
He added that the streamlined process will continue to uphold environmental protections, labor standards, and community rights.
The initiative comes as the government identifies mining and mineral processing as priority investment areas, alongside others such as digital infrastructure, tourism, and high-value manufacturing.
Environment Undersecretary Primo David said the executive order has been in development for two years. Under the draft proposal, the government would retain ownership of mining assets, while private companies would operate as contractors.
“Our interest in those mines transcend the taxes that we get because the minerals there are part of our strategic assets,” David said.
The executive order is also expected to introduce a “use it or lose it” policy, allowing the government to reclaim undeveloped mining areas. It also includes plans to expand government-led exploration to accelerate the development of strategic mineral resources.
David noted that the Philippines has significant deposits of critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper, which are essential for renewable energy technologies and digital infrastructure. He said harnessing these resources could generate up to PHP 1 trillion annually from water, forest land, and mining.
The planned reform has drawn interest from international partners, including Canada, whose officials welcomed the move as a step toward strengthening cooperation on critical minerals and energy security.
The executive order is also seen as supporting the Philippines’ push to position itself in the global critical minerals supply chain. It may also strengthen the country’s case for a potential Philippines-Canada free trade agreement, as both countries seek to diversify trade and secure supply chains.
Will faster permitting unlock the Philippines’ full potential in the global critical minerals market?
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