President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order No. 122, establishing for the first time a single national policy framework to develop the country’s critical minerals sector—an action designed to position the country as a key player in the global clean-energy and technology supply chain while delivering broad economic and social benefits for Filipinos. Signed August 21, the order also restructures the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) to drive coordinated, strategic growth across the industry.
The move comes as nations worldwide compete to secure stable supplies of essential raw materials such as nickel and copper, which underpin renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicle batteries, digital systems, and defense technologies. Larry M. Heradez, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), said the new framework aligns the country’s rich mineral potential with rising global demand, noting at least nine million hectares have been identified as highly prospective for these high-value resources. Crucially, the policy shifts the country’s approach beyond exporting raw ore: it prioritizes building domestic processing and manufacturing capacity so more value from Philippine resources stays within the country, supporting new industries, jobs, and long-term economic resilience.
At the core of the order is a dual commitment to economic progress and responsible stewardship. Section 2b anchors development in the beneficial use of critical minerals for national security and shared growth, laying out plans to boost downstream production from refining to battery manufacturing. The Board of Investments will offer incentives under the CREATE Act for these value-added sectors, while guaranteeing domestic processing plants priority access to mineral ores at fair market prices. These steps are meant to spur local enterprise, expand skilled work opportunities, and lower costs for public and private infrastructure projects that rely on these materials.
Balancing economic goals with environmental and community welfare is embedded as a fundamental requirement, under Section 2c of the order. It mandates strict sustainable mining standards to prevent ecological harm, and requires all operations to prioritize the well-being of host and neighboring communities—including indigenous peoples—with development programs aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This ensures that mineral wealth translates directly to improved local services, livelihoods, and cultural protection for those most affected by mining activities.
To turn policy into action, EO 122 introduces sweeping reforms to cut red tape and strengthen accountability. A “Use It or Lose It” rule will cancel non-compliant or dormant mining tenements, returning underutilized areas to public mineral reserves for future development. The DENR and MGB will streamline permit processing to a maximum of six months and launch a fully digital Virtual One-stop Shop within one year, making approvals faster, more transparent, and more attractive to responsible investors. The reorganized MICC, now co-chaired by the DENR and Finance secretaries and expanded to include broader government, local government, and indigenous representation, will deliver a comprehensive work plan within 90 days to guide implementation—covering standards for sourcing, environmental safeguards, and fair valuation of resources.
For ordinary Filipinos, the policy ties the nation’s mineral wealth to tangible daily benefits: more local jobs in processing and manufacturing, stronger energy security as the country builds its own renewable capacity, better environmental safeguards, and direct community investments that ensure development is shared across all regions.
By moving beyond raw material exports to building a full domestic value chain, the framework aims to transform the sector from a limited extractive industry into a lasting foundation for inclusive, sustainable national growth.
