President Marcos has lauded mining companies for going beyond mere compliance to generate profit as he recognized the private sector’s initiatives for protecting the environment and ecology.

Marcos said this as he led the 2023 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) in Malacañan on Wednesday morning, Oct. 16.

In his speech, the President expressed his admiration for the 13 awardees, saying they have set the bar high.

"[You] embody what it means to create value that extends beyond profit and demonstrate to the public that it is not enough to just meet regulations—we must strive to go beyond them," he said.

"We honor the companies that have demonstrated that mining in the country is more than just extracting resources, it's about giving back as well—giving back to the environment, community, and the future generations who will inherit this planet," he added.

According to Marcos, the awardees have shown commendable support for his administration's visions for the mining sector.

"They continue to invest in environmental technologies and adopt best practices that go even beyond compliance from pioneering reforestation efforts to utilizing more sustainable extraction techniques," he said.

"Your meaningful contributions to the host and neighboring communities through education, healthcare, and livelihood programs are truly inspiring," he added.

Established in 1997 through Executive Order (EO) No. 399, the PMIEA aims to honor the exceptional performance and commitment to managing safety, health, environment, and social development demonstrated by various mineral exploration, mining, and mineral processing companies.

For 2023, each nominee underwent assessment and screening based on their performance from July 2022 to June 2023. After a thorough evaluation, 13 were selected to receive the awards:

Surface Mining Operations Category

• Cagdianao Mining Corporation
• CTP Construction and Mining Corporation
• Eramen Minerals, Inc.
• Hinatuan Mining Corporation - Tagana-an
• FCF Minerals Corporation
• Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation
• Taganito Mining Corporation
• Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. - Batangas

Quarry Operations Category

• Eagle Cement Corporation
• Helix Resources and Development Corporation
• Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. - Teresa

Mineral Processing Category

• Coral Bay Nickel Corporation
• Philippine Mining Service Corporation - Alcoy Plant

The Philippines at the forefront

In his speech, President Marcos stressed that the country's abundant resources place the Philippines in a prime position as the demand for critical minerals surges amid the world's transition to clean energy.

"The Philippines is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world. It has a unique opportunity to leverage its natural resources for national development," he said.

"But this can only be done if we ensure that the wealth that we generate is shared equitably, that our ecosystems are safeguarded, and that local communities are empowered," he added.

With this, Marcos urged all relevant agencies and Congress to support the Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime, saying the bill is "fundamental to creating a fair and equitable mining environment for everyone involved."

Meanwhile, he called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strengthen its regulatory capabilities for all mining operations to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.