Manila, March 13 -- The Philippines is interested to forge a possible critical minerals agreement with Canada to further develop its mining sector, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Friday.

Speaking at the Canada Embassy-led Stratbase forum in Makati City, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the Philippines brought up the potential deal during its engagement with Canadian stakeholders at the 2026 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto early this month.

"In our discussions with our counterparts - both at the provincial and at the federal level - they're very much interested," he said.

This developed as the Philippines formally signed a new critical minerals deal with the United ...