President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved the lifting of the moratorium on oil explorations in the West Philippine Sea upon the recommendation of the Department of Energy (DOE) after these were suspended due to territorial dispute.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi disclosed that the proposition on the resumption of explorations at the WPS is meant to fulfill the government’s goal in making the Philippines self-sufficient when it comes to energy resources.
The department has issued a “resume-to-work” order to the service contractors in the areas of SC 59, 72, and 75. The Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) is operating in the SC 59 and SC 72 while the PXP Energy Corp. is handling SC 75.
Sec. Cusi stated that with the impending depletion of the natural gas reserve in Malampaya, “it is the department’s position that there is an urgent imperative to resume exploration, development, and production activities within our EEZ to ensure continuity of supply of indigenous resources in the country.”
The Philippinrs is currently relying on the importation of petroleum products from other countries. The DOE Chief assured that once the energy supply of the Philippines is stable, it will greatly help the economy especially the consumers. The explorations will generate employment as well as continuous supply of electricity.
Report from Mela Lesmoras
