MINERS said new rules issued for the industry are threatening to deter investment by raising the cost of doing business, at a time when the government is seeking to attract interest in the industry in connection with the Pax Silica initiative.
According to a joint statement issued by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA), the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2026-01 issued by the departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Energy “introduce regulatory uncertainty” and add to “investment risks.”
“Among the key concerns are the questionable provisions requiring incumbent operators to surrender operational assets upon contract expiry, even when these remain privately owned under the law; bidding rules that may disadvantage existing operators by factoring in closure liabilities and asset costs; and evaluation criteria that are biased against proven technical expertise, operational track records, and environmental performance,” they said.
The miners said the new regulatory framework runs counter to the direction of the government’s Ease of Doing Business initiatives and could undermine its efforts to make minerals “a stronger pillar of economic development.
CoMP and PNIA said the government “needs to ensure that the JAO is consistent with existing laws and contractual rights, promotes fair and transparent competition, and supports the country’s efforts to attract long-term investment.” — Maria Mikaela H. Tormon