PHL tops 'worst countries' for doing business in Asia--CNBCP

**Monseratto** · February 26th, 2012 04:37 PM

Only Central American Banana Republics fared worst...

PH slips in world mining survey
BusinessMirror
Posted at 02/26/2012 12:26 PM | Updated as of 02/26/2012 12:26 PM

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines further slipped this year as the sixth most unattractive to explorers of industrial and precious metals from being the world’s 14th least attractive place for global mining investments last year, according to an annual survey from a Canadian think tank.

The country ranked just outside the Bottom 5 out of a total 93 world areas considered attractive for mining investors, the worst still being Honduras for the second year in a row, based on the latest data from the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute, which issued the press release.

The 131-page mining survey released on Friday revealed that the Philippines ranked the worst among 93 world jurisdictions based on specific indicators, such as “socioeconomic agreements/community development conditions” and “physical security due to the threat of attack by terrorists, criminals, [and] guerrilla groups.”

Other survey indicators wherein the Philippines ranked low included labor/employment laws/militancy/work disruptions (91st); disputed land claims uncertainty (88th); infrastructure/access to roads and power (86th); regulatory duplication/inconsistencies (84th); political stability (83rd); mining policy/implementation uncertainty (also 83rd); administrative/enforcement regulations uncertainty (82nd).

Moreover, environmental regulations uncertainty (80th); fair/transparent/noncorrupt/timely/efficient legal processes (77th); geological database/quality, scale of maps and access to info (75th); taxation regime (also 75th); trade barriers/tariff and nontariff/profit/currency restrictions (70th); protected areas uncertainty on wilderness, parks or archeology sites (58th); and supply of labor/skills (56th).

Faring worse than the Philippines among global mining investors are Honduras, Guatemala, Bolivia, Venezuela, and India, while slightly better but still rounding up the Bottom 10 this year are Kyrgyzstan, Ecuador, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Aside from Honduras, the Bottom 10 last year included Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bolivia, Guatemala, India, Madagascar, Wisconsin in the United States, Zimbabwe and Indonesia.

**ghosthunter** · February 26th, 2012 05:51 PM

Too many local "greenies" want to stop mining in the Philippines, citing environmental pollution & destruction as reasons.

Before, politicies for mining were relatively friendly for investors but unfortunately policies change like the wind in the Philippines. Bad for maintaining and getting new investors.

**uls** · February 26th, 2012 07:07 PM

ABSCBN anti-mining agenda

**chrismarte** · February 26th, 2012 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

Before, politicies for mining were relatively friendly for investors but unfortunately policies change like the wind in the Philippines. Bad for maintaining and getting new investors.

eto makukuha natin pag personal interest ang nangibabaw sa mga taong nakapwesto... napakadali nilang paikutin ang batas at patakaran....

**jave** · February 27th, 2012 03:46 PM

Some thoughts.

- Oligarchy lobbying and meddling in political affairs and law-making to keep status quo and country closed to foreign companies due to fear of competition.
- Filipino penchant for ignoring/replying negatively to anything that criticizes them. Even if it's the truth. Let's not forget how a lot of people would rather "Look on the bright side!" rather than "Let's solve this problem!"
- Rebellious nature of workers here. They don't like something, they go on strike. Stupid communists, still stuck in the Cold War.
- Local, diehard eco-mentalists want to stop mining by big businesses, but conveniently ignoring the fact that a lot of mining problems and disasters came from smalltime, illegal miners.
- Legislators interested more in showboating and re-election than enacting laws that actually make sense.
- President being an oligarch and focusing on policies that are merely for show with short-term benefits but flashy to the masses. (Para may makita na iba ang taong bayan) Let's not forget his love life and aim to get married while in position para (read in the tone of his annoying sister for best effect) "Bongga~ diba~?"

Jose Rizal said it best. "Like government, like people."

**uls** · February 27th, 2012 04:14 PM

sobra turn off talaga sa investors ang pagbabago ng rules in the middle of the game

when govt people notice you're making tons of money they think it's unfair so they'll try to extract more from you

kahit you're following the rules that were set before you started your business

kaya you started your business in the first place coz you read the rules and you think you can make money with those rules

tapos babaguhin ng gobyerno ang rules kasi nakita nila malaki kinikita mo

galing no?

**MAXBUWAYA** · February 27th, 2012 07:42 PM

corruption mentally starts sa mga mahilig mag lagay ng "MEdia" Office of the Goverment ekek sa windshield

**yebo** · February 28th, 2012 09:56 AM

pero sa totoo lang, tagal nang may mining sa zambales pero ganun pa din, wala din.

yung mga minero mahirap pa din. 40 years silang minero, pag retire nila ganun din, gutom pa din.

yung mga bukid sa paligid ng ilog na tinatapunan ng mining tailings, dati maganda ngayon puro cyanide at mercury na. yung dati natatamnan ng palay ngayon puro mine tailings na, mais na lang ang pwede, contaminated pa ng mercury ang ani.

yung black sand mining chinese pa nga ang mga laborers e, di man lang lokal people ang kinuha. puro chinese ang nasa loob ng compound nila. makipagpustahan ako malamang mga chinese people's liberation army pa mga yun.

yung mga small scale chromite mining, chinese nationals din ang mga miners.

isang araw nyan magigising na lang tayo yung buong pilipinas nailipat na sa china. at ganun pa din, mahirap pa din ang pilipinas. ang yumaman lang yung mga bansa na nagaangkat ng mga ores na hinukay dito.

LOW VALUE ADDED KASI. TRABAHONG "QUICK CASH". HUKAYIN, IBENTA, TAPOS NA MAYAMAN NA SI PAPA. DI BA DAPAT E "HUKAYIN, I-PROCESS, GAWING HI-TECH, SAKA IBENTA"?

and as far as the environment is concerned, pwede naman po maging green ang mining industry (or any industry for that matter). kami sa oil drilling industry we have a zero discharge policy. all you need to see are the whale sharks, dolphins and other marine animals around the oil rig to gauge how clean the water is around the oil rig. taas kaya ng penalty if we spill even just 1 liter of oil to the sea. and the helicopter pilots diligently report on any oil spills kaya di pwede i-cover up kung meron incidents, and 1 liter of oil on the sea surface can be seen from miles away from the air as it will cover an area of a few thousand square meters.

**yebo** · February 28th, 2012 10:03 AM

so kung worst country ang pilipinas to do business in MINING, ok lang sa akin.

bago tayo mag-mina dapat may policy na at least 50% ng miminahin na minerals ay dito sa pilipinas ipro-process at i-process na finished product. di dapat puro ores lang ang ine-export. kung yan magagawa dun lang talaga makikinabang ang pilipinas sa mining.

pero pag i-export lang 100% ang mga ores, kalimutan na lang natin at hindi naman tayo ang makikinabang dyan kundi mga dayuhan lang.

**ghosthunter** · February 28th, 2012 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by yebo

so kung worst country ang pilipinas to do business in MINING, ok lang sa akin.

bago tayo mag-mina dapat may policy na at least 50% ng miminahin na minerals ay dito sa pilipinas ipro-process at i-process na finished product. di dapat puro ores lang ang ine-export. kung yan magagawa dun lang talaga makikinabang ang pilipinas sa mining.

pero pag i-export lang 100% ang mga ores, kalimutan na lang natin at hindi naman tayo ang makikinabang dyan kundi mga dayuhan lang.

What you said is very patriotic but unrealistic.

You have to consider...

-do we even have the facility to process the ore to a more pure material? (example iron ore to steel)
-can we process them that is economically viable against foreign competitors?