The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Philippine governments on the mining of critical minerals can be a significant milestone in attracting responsible mining investments, setting a framework for US-based mining companies as they pursue investments in the Philippines.

That being said, the MOU opens discussion on promoting responsible mining in the Philippines. It is wise, therefore, to understand the benefits while noting the need for necessary safeguards to ensure that communities and the environment also benefit from such activities.

Responsible mining can deliver growth since it requires investments in the rural areas, creating jobs and opportunities outside the cities. It utilizes value from God-given resources present in the communities. That said, if it is not responsibly mined- with the necessary safeguards and mitigating measures, others may mine it illegally- without measures against unnecessary environmental degradation.

Furthermore, responsible mining can deliver more growth if the minerals are processed into necessary products here rather than abroad. The more products made here, the better for the economy. Moreover, even if the local supply of said minerals will be exhausted, the remaining manufacturing companies making such semi-processed or finished goods can import what is needed to keep the manufacturing and the jobs going.

Apart from creating revenue for the State and jobs out of the current resources available within the country, responsible mines can open roads and bring electricity into once remote and geographically isolated areas, and create opportunities for local residents. Moreover, the processing and manufacturing facilities and the economic enterprises created near mine sites, such as forest nurseries and food production farms, if properly harnessed in the post-mine period, can be the mine’s economic legacy to the local populace.

I happened to be in northern Mindanao when the eye of storm Basyang hit the region. Many need recovery assistance, and I hope you, as readers, can help. The lessons left mandate us to seek collaborative, long-term solutions that combine areas of expertise that were called upon in my Oct. 28, 2024, column in the aftermath of Typhoon Kristine in southern Luzon:

“This is a call for our geologists, hydrologists, foresters, agriculturists, and civil engineers to bring their expertise to help find solutions to ensure that flood control and water management measures can be maximized to prevent the loss of life and ensure that enough water is available for our needs. Water management is also a fertile arena of innovation as contemplated by the 2018 Innovation Law. The key is the effectiveness of the proposed designs and the environmental and social impact mitigation measures. This will be the challenge of the new generation of engineers.”

With this, I believe that the way forward after Basyang and other recent storms is for local academic institutions and government agencies under the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) in various regions to collaborate in utilizing technology to forecast, even visualize the impact for ordinary Filipinos, long before storms hit. This can guide action and response to mitigate effects.

For an economy that needs to continue growing, every day of business operations is vital to secure the revenue needed to pay salaries and other suppliers, who will also have salaries and other suppliers to pay down the line. When these days are lost, enterprises and people's incomes suffer, rendering them less able to deal with the next calamity.