The Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) in collaboration with the Palawan State University (PSU) conducted yesterday a seminar-forum "The Philippine Mining & Minerals Industry: Development Issues and Recommendations for Research" at the PSU Hostel in this city. In his opening remarks, Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto, PIDS President, said that the objective of the seminar-forum is to share researches done on the Philippine mining sector and minerals industry to include its many issues and policy developments. "We present both sides of this emotive issue and stand neutral and also present what social scientists have studied and come up with regarding the sector," Llanto said. Referred to as the government's "policy think-tank", PIDS major intention is to provide recommendations related to future economic and policy studies that can be undertaken in the Philippine mining sector and minerals industry. The main presentor, Dr. Danilo C. Israel, PIDS Senior Research Fellow, briefly discussed the economic performance of mining sector and minerals; the many issues and existing policies; and his recommendations for the sector and for future studies. The reactors/discussants to Dr. Israel's research presentation were Dr. Patrick A. Regoniel of Palawan State University representing the academe; Jose Bayani Baylon, Vice President of Nickel Asia Corporation representing the business sector; Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda, Executive Director of Environmental Legal Assistance Network for the NGO; and John Francisco A. Pontillas, Policy and Research Division CHief of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff for the government sector. The forum was participate-in by a mix of officials from government agencies, local government units and the academe; mining stakeholders in Palawan; the NGOs; and students from the PSU.
