A strong partnership for a clean & green future
The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) is one of the three sectoral planning councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It is mandated to serve as the central agency in the formulation of policies, plans and programs, as well as in the implementation of strategies in the industry, energy, and emerging technology sectors through Science and Technology (S&T) programs. These include support for research and development; human resource and institution development; S&T information, dissemination and promotion; support for technology transfer and commercialization; and policy development and advocacy.
In April 2017, PCIEERD signed a memorandum of agreement with the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) to promote responsible mining and achieve economic growth and development. This memorandum of agreement aims to strategically innovate technologies that will increase research outcomes to further develop the mining sector and serve as a basis for proposing policies.
Former PCIEERD executive director (now undersecretary at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Dr. Carlos Primo David said, “It is all about rehabilitation, maximizing the social development component of the mining companies, including the computation of the actual impact of mining.”
Ex-president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) Philip Romualdez said that the chamber pushes for mineral development and assured that they would come up with short, medium and long-term goals with PCIEERD and prioritize the projects.
The promotion of “green mining” was among the list of projects that was to be undertaken by both parties since mining and minerals was one of the 16 sectors that PCIEERD was providing with continuous support in terms of research and development, technology transfer, and information dissemination.
As early as 2012, the DOST-PCIEERD had said that Science & Technology (S&T) can make mineral extraction “safe and sustainable” and that “responsible mining — one based on science and technology — can be a driver of the country’s economic development.”
The chamber is seeking to bolster its partnership with PCIEERD by exploring new avenues for collaboration.
At the recent 13th anniversary of the council at the Manila Hotel, I highlighted the continued strength of the partnership between COMP and PCIEERD. In my speech entitled “Synergy with PCIEERD: Advancing S&T Innovations in Mining and Minerals Sector towards an Inclusive Sustainable Development,” I noted that the collaboration between the mining industry and the DOST-attached agency has involved various technical panels, consultation meetings, and focus-group discussions.
I expressed the desire to strengthen this partnership further, given the increasing significance of mining in addressing climate change and global energy transition.
To this end, I proposed three key areas for potential collaboration with PCIEERD. First, aim to work together in drafting the nickel roadmap, similar to the copper roadmap already designed by PCIEERD. The nickel roadmap will serve as a comprehensive reference guide for local nickel producers, providing them with better opportunities to contribute to the ongoing energy transition. This participation will benefit not only the industry but also the entire country.
Another critical area of interest for enhanced collaboration is conducting research on green minerals, with a focus on electric vehicles, renewable energy, and other related aspects linked to the energy transition.
Lastly, COMP is advocating more research efforts to improve energy efficiency within the minerals sector. This includes exploring possibilities for automation and integrating renewable energy solutions to enhance sustainability.
I am confident that COMP’s members are already taking or have already been taking essential steps towards more environmentally friendly and climate change-responsive practices.
As the world moves towards greater energy transition, the partnership between COMP and PCIEERD takes on added significance, with the potential to drive innovation and progress in the Philippine mining industry while supporting broader national sustainability goals.
Let’s face it: responsible mining alone is no longer sufficient. In the pursuit of net-zero targets and a more climate-resilient future, mining operations must embrace sustainability principles.
Green mining for green energy and a greener world.
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Speaking of green, my congratulations to Isabel, daughter of Lasallian and former congressman Monsour del Rosario and his lovely wife, Joy Zapanta, for her recent wins in the field of taekwondo. The apple really does not fall far from the tree, as Isabel is a taekwondo champion just like her dad. She is now the third best taekwondo fighter in the 46-59 kg division in the entire National Capital Region.
Monsour himself was recently awarded Most Outstanding Public Servant and Empowered Actor of the Year at the 7th Asia Pacific Luminare Awards.
Well done, both of you! And may you continue to reap much success in both your fields.
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