Cartographies of Repatriation: Mining, Law, and the Quiet Theft of Philippine Geographies
Cartographies of Repatriation: Mining, Law, and the Quiet Theft of Philippine Geographies Amiel Gerald A. Roldan™ May 2, 2026 The Philippines is widely reported to hold roughly USD 1 trillion in largely untapped mineral wealth, yet the legal architecture created by the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942) — especially the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) mechanism — has enabled large-scale foreign-led extraction with contractual features (full foreign equity via FTAA, profit repatriation, multi‑year fiscal incentives) that critics argue reproduce extractive, colonial-style value flows and local impoverishment. (Mandaluyong, 02 May 2026). Introduction: premise and stakes The claim you present synthesizes three linked propositions: (1) the Philippines is exceptionally mineral‑rich (commonly cited at ~USD 1 trillion in in‑ground value); (2) RA 7942 institutionalized FTAA contracts that permit foreign capital to operate large concessions; and (3) the fiscal...
