The US embassy hosted the fifth Indo-Pacific Business Forum which highlighted its continued engagement with partners on economic issues to promote sustainable inclusive growth.
Finance undersecretary Maria Cielo D. Magno, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines chairman Mike Toledo and Nickel Asia sustainability officer Jose Bayani Baylon were part of the panel that discussed the transition to critical minerals.
Toledo called for incentives, infrastructure, lower power costs and stable mining and investment policies that do not change mid-stream.
He also called for lower power costs as well as a fiscal regime that considers the Philippines’ competitiveness vis-a-vis other mining jurisdictions.
Toledo likewise sought harmonized local and national laws to avoid conflict on the ground.