The Department of Energy (DOE) asserted that the arbitral ruling of the United Nations that favors the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea will not be affected with the lifting of moratorium on oil exploration.
“No, no way. In no way it weakens. First, this lifting of the moratorium is an exercise of our sovereign rights. Ginagawa na po natin iyan (we are already doing it). So, in no way it weakens the arbitral decision, and our MOU to explore a joint development program or cooperation with China, in no way that it weakens or giving away our sovereigns.”
DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi disclosed that 5 contracts of Filipino and Malaysian companies will lead the oil exploration as preparation for the depletion of gas supply in Malampaya that is the primary domestic source of energy in the Philippines. The meeting of the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program to identify areas in the country that can be explored has started. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
