Japanese business groups in the Philippines are pushing back on a joint order from the Department of Energy and Department of Environment and Natural Resources that sets bidding rules for mining and natural resource contracts. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines says one provision would force existing operators to surrender privately owned assets when contracts expire, which could hurt balance sheets, borrowing capacity, and shareholder value. The chamber also argues the rules create regulatory uncertainty and unfair conditions for companies that already invested under current contracts. It wants written clarification and stakeholder consultation before the disputed provisions are applied. DOE and DENR have not yet responded. The dispute matters beyond mining because the same order sits alongside Philippine efforts to attract foreign investment into strategic industries and low-carbon transitions. How asset ownership and bidding rules are handled will shape whether long-term energy and resource projects can secure financing.
