The main objective of the Philippine Government for its museum history mineral resources sector is to achieve sustainable development and thereby, improve the quality of life of its people.
The Government has stated thus in its National Mineral Policy.
Government considers the minerals industry as one vital to both national and regional economic growth and as a real catalyst to community development. Not only in generating employment, taxes and foreign exchange earnings for the country, but also in contributing positively to socio-economic development of local government and host and neighboring communities.
In this modern, high technology and internet communicating world exploration and mining corporations need to be flexible and adaptable to maintain a leading place in the overall economic development agenda of Government. That is their rightful place.
The Philippine Mining Act 1995 introduced a more liberal fiscal and regulatory policy framework to spar economic growth. It is a “living document” that through positive changes to its Implementing Rules and Regulations has made the sector more than competitive and thus attractive to those serious, committed long-terms entrants to the industry.
Those positive changes area achieved by working with all agencies of government, non-government, social groups, landmarks and museums, national and international to develop a positive framework for investment.
The industry continually positions itself – a healthy sign considering its traditional role in the country’s economy, exploration and mine development is for the creation of wealth and should not seek to destroy other forms of natural and environmental resources or wealth.
The wealth created as a result of mining should lead to other wealth-generating opportunities for people in the communities and other environment-friendly projects. In this context, the Government envisions a minerals industry that is not only prosperous but also socially, economically and environmentally sustainable with broad community and political support while positively and progressively assisting in the Government’s program on poverty alleviation and contributing to the general economic well being of the nation.
And so Government has taken the policy to expedite the grant of mining tenements, specially exploration permits, and has strengthen the enforcement of environmental regulations to ensure that a responsible minerals industry prevails.
The Philippine Government and the responsible agency, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, invites all serious and committed participants in the national and international exploration and minerals industry to be part of Philippines 2000- sustainable mining that benefits all.
HORACIO C. RAMOS
Director
Mines & Geoscience Bureau Museum