IN MEMORIAM
Horacio Acop Cosalan Ramos
Former DENR Secretary and MGB Director
(1996–2005, 2006–2010)

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau deeply mourns the passing of Former DENR Secretary and MGB Director Horacio Acop Cosalan Ramos, who passed away in the early morning of 17 April 2025.

Secretary Ramos was the first career official of the Department to be appointed as Secretary of the DENR — a testament to his dedication, experience, and unwavering commitment to public service. He served as MGB Director for over a decade, and later as Secretary of the Department, where he championed policies and reforms that continue to shape the responsible development of the country’s mineral resources.

Under his leadership, the Bureau’s long-standing battlecry — “Mining shall be pro-people and pro-environment in sustaining wealth creation and improved quality of life” — took root and defined the agency’s approach to minerals governance.

In recognition of his outstanding service, he was conferred the Order of Lakandula (Rank of Bayani) by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — one of the highest honors given to a Filipino for exceptional dedication to public duty.

A pillar of the Philippine mining sector, Sec. Ramos leaves behind a legacy defined by integrity, wisdom, and visionary leadership. His impact continues to be felt within the Bureau and across the communities, institutions, and professionals he inspired throughout his life and career.

The Bureau joins his family and loved ones in mourning his loss and extends its heartfelt condolences. May his memory serve as a guiding light for all who follow in his footsteps.