PH-EITI Participates in Mining Philippines 2025 Conference
Jollie Anne Las Piñas
Manila, Philippines | November 3, 2025
The Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) took part in Mining Philippines 2025 – International Conference and Exhibition, held 22–24 October 2025 at The Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City.
This premier mining industry gathering brought together leading professionals, key decision-makers, and prominent figures under the theme “From Policy to Progress: Driving Mining Through Innovation and Investment”. Attendees included government and agency officials, Chamber of Mines leaders, industry executives, diplomats, civil society, and technical experts. Notably, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Environment Secretary Raphael “Popo” Lotilla and Chamber of Mines Chairman/President Atty. Mike Toledo joined the opening program alongside other distinguished guests.
In the photo: High-ranking officials from the mining industry pose for a photo opportunity.
In his keynote address, President Marcos reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to “responsible, inclusive, and climate-resilient mining”. He stressed that mining revenues must directly benefit ordinary Filipinos and that “irresponsible mining has no place in our nation”, vowing to enforce laws against activities that destroy forests or pollute rivers. The President underscored the need for environmental compliance, noting every mining operation must align with the Paris Agreement and national energy plan, and insisted that the “wealth from our soil should translate into schools for our children, hospitals for families, and roads that link people with opportunities”.
He lauded the Chamber of Mines for adopting the global Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) program and thanked industry leaders for engaging in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). As he put it, this public–private partnership “turns resource generation into human progress,” ensuring mining revenues are used for the good of the Filipino people.
In the photo: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his keynote address during the Mining Philippines Conference.
Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano also spoke at the conference, presenting the government’s agenda for implementing Republic Act No. 12253, the recently enacted Enhanced Mining Fiscal Regime Act. Usec. Adriano – who also serves as an Alternate Focal Person and Chair of PH-EITI Multistakeholder Group (MSG) – outlined several key steps that the Department of Finance is undertaking to operationalize this new law, which was signed in September 2025 to modernize and strengthen the mining tax regime.
In the photo: Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano presenting the recently enacted Enhanced Mining Fiscal Regime Act.
RA 12253 was designed to simplify and modernize the Philippines’ mining tax framework. It removes the complex distinctions in taxation among different mining agreements (e.g. between FTAA and MPSA contracts) by establishing a unified fiscal regime for all large-scale metallic mining operations. The new law introduces a more streamlined system of taxes, including a tiered royalty structure and a windfall profits tax that applies when profit margins exceed a set threshold, thereby creating a stable, predictable, and rules-based investment environment for the mining industry
RA 12253’s key reforms fundamentally overhaul how mining is taxed. Mines outside mineral reservations are now subject to a sliding-scale royalty (ranging from 1% up to 5% based on operating margins, with a minimum 0.1% for low-margin operations) instead of the old one-size-fits-all levy. The law imposes a new windfall profits tax (1% to 10% on extraordinarily high income) ensuring the government captures an equitable share of extra earnings during boom periods. At the same time, it streamlines the excise tax system, retaining a single 4% excise tax on mineral output but now applied uniformly across the industry. By eliminating outdated tax discrepancies and applying consistent rules, the Enhanced MFR ensures fairness and encourages compliance. It also builds in safeguards such as limits on excessive debt write-offs and a “ring-fencing” rule that taxes each mining project separately to prevent tax leakages and aggressive tax avoidance.
Usec. Adriano also emphasized that institutionalizing transparency is a cornerstone of the fiscal reforms under RA 12253. The implementation of RA 12253 goes hand-in-hand with PH-EITI’s mission to ensure extractive industries are managed in an open and accountable manner. By closely coordinating policy reforms with transparency initiatives, the Philippines is reinforcing that increased revenues from mining will be managed responsibly and shared fairly, consistent with the country’s EITI commitments and the broader goal of sustainable national development.
PH-EITI National Coordinator Mary Ann D. Rodolfo was also a featured panelist in Session 6, “The Challenge of Going Beyond Compliance: Making ESG Work for Philippine Mining”. In her presentation, Ms. Rodolfo stressed that compliance alone is not the end goal in mining, it is the foundation of practice but “should not be mistaken as the destination”. She explained that PH-EITI has found data disclosure to be powerful only when it leads to public trust, accountability, and tangible results on the ground.
In the photo: PH-EITI National Coordinator Mary Ann Rodolfo (second from left) after delivering her presentation during Plenary Session No. 6: The Challenge of Going Beyond Compliance, Making ESG Work for the Philippine Mining Industry, as she prepares for the question-and-answer segment.
Rodolfo outlined several strategic pathways for the industry to truly embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. These include strengthening governance and aligning incentives for ESG performance; improving the transparency and accessibility of data; building local government and community capacity to use mining information; and establishing clear accountability and remedy mechanisms. In her words, integrating ESG beyond a “checklist” requires shifting company culture so that sustainable practices guide decision-making, risk management, and community engagement.
Throughout the conference, PH-EITI maintained an exhibit booth to showcase its work. Conference attendees visited the PH-EITI booth to learn about the Initiative’s transparency tools and the latest country report on the Philippine extractive industries. PH-EITI staff and supporters provided materials and demonstrations highlighting how PH-EITI reconciles mining revenues and promotes public understanding of the sector.
In the photo: Members of the PH-EITI National Secretariat at the booth promoting the implementation of EITI in the Philippines.
Mining Philippines 2025 aimed to chart a sustainable, innovation-driven path for the sector. The 3-day event provided a forum for dialogue on how mining can power the country’s development goals. President Marcos noted that delegates were asking “vital questions” about mining’s future: How can the Philippines become a reliable source of critical minerals for the green energy transition? How can mining fuel regional industrialization and create decent, lasting jobs? And how can the country attract responsible investment without compromising our planet or our people. These questions framed the conference’s objectives of fostering inclusive growth, strengthening environmental protection, and ensuring that communities share in the benefits of mining.
A government-led, multi-stakeholder initiative implementing EITI, the global standard that promotes the open, accountable management, and good governance of oil, gas, and mineral resources. PH-EITI was created on 26 November 2013 through EO No. 147, s. of 2013. It is a government commitment first announced through EO No. 79, s. of 2012.