DENR Secretary highlights importance of natural resource valuation

ILOILO CITY – In a very engaging message to members and participants to Iloilo Business Club (IBC) Inc.’s event dubbed as “SustainAbility 2026” on February 12, 2026, DENR Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla encouraged everyone to be open to different approaches in crafting solutions and do some cost-analysis prior to making final decisions that would affect the goal to achieving sustainable economic development for the region.

With “SustainAbility 2026”, IBC brings together leaders, innovators, and changemakers to drive meaningful conversations on sustainability, resilience, and inclusive growth. It featured speakers with different topics that promotes not only economic growth but also innovation, resilience, and sustainable development, among others.

Secretary Lotilla recognized the need to have all stakeholders on board if we are to achieve sustainable development, not only to Region 6 but throughout the country. At the event’s Plenary Session 2, themed “Sustainable Resource Management”, conversations revolved around strategic approaches to responsible resource management and long-term growth.

During the Session, Secretary Lotilla talked about the importance of PENCAS or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act (RA 11995), institutionalized on May 22, 2024. Underscoring the essence of this particular law, Secretary Lotilla said it required us to value our natural gifts.

“The God-given resources that we have need to be valued. We need to be able to establish or identify the resources that we have,” he said. He also cited the facts about people’s preferences. “In the case of mining, and mineral resources, the tendency is for some sectors to reject even knowing what is out there,” he noted.

Prior to actual mining operations, there is the exploratory mining which takes different stages from preliminary research to feasibility studies and takes years to do so in order to identify and evaluate the mineral reserve with economic value.

He also cited the conflicting issues between mining and forest preservation, saying: “We need to see what is the value, what is the mineral resource that is there, and then what kind of trees are there. At the end of the day, we will see whether one activity is more advantageous to society as a whole over some other activity.”

Secretary Lotilla also noted that there are those who are against particular technologies. He however reminded the audience that technology is not static. “What we are after are standards. We set emission standards, and then if a particular technology is able to meet those standards, we should not reject the technology,” he said. “Science is forward-looking. Science is evolving, and so our mindset as stewards of the earth should also be evolving,” he added.

With DENR as the primary government agency tasked for the proper management of the country’s natural resources, Secretary Lotilla acknowledges the need to have everyone on board.

“We need your perspectives, we welcome your criticisms, but we also would want your constructive suggestions. We cannot just be forever casting blame on everyone,” he said./DENR 6