Prime Infra hosted representatives from Japan’s government and parliament at the Philippine NatGas Complex in Batangas, where discussions centered on strengthening gas infrastructure and supporting long-term energy resilience in the Philippines.

The visit, held on May 1, was conducted in collaboration with Tokyo Gas and First Gen as part of engagements under the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC), which promotes regional cooperation on practical and sustainable energy pathways.

The Japanese delegation included officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, and members of the Japanese Parliament.

Among the notable attendees were former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chairman and Member of Parliament Ken Saito, who emphasized the importance of continued Philippines-Japan collaboration in advancing energy initiatives.

Discussions during the visit highlighted the importance of maintaining a stable energy supply amidst evolving global conditions, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) positioned as a practical solution for supporting the country’s energy requirements while also complementing the expansion of renewable energy.

In his remarks, Kishida emphasized the growing role of LNG in the region and the importance of coordination under AZEC in supporting energy transition efforts.

Prime Infra likewise reiterated its commitment to supporting the country’s transition through investments in critical gas infrastructure.

“As the Philippines expands its renewable energy capacity, reliable natural gas infrastructure will be essential to support this transition and ensure energy security,” said Senior Executive overseeing Prime Infra’s natural gas initiatives Donnabel Kuizon Cruz.

Kuizon Cruz added that while the country continues to advance its renewable energy goals, additional infrastructure will still be needed to support increasing energy demand.

The visit also reinforced the growing role of regional cooperation in balancing energy security, infrastructure development, and decarbonization goals as countries navigate volatile global energy markets.

Also present during the visit were several Japanese parliament members and officials from METI and MOFA, including Director of Trade Policy Masayoshi Arai and Deputy Director for Global Issues Ryo Nakamura.

Natural gas continues to play a significant role in the Philippines’ power sector, particularly as the country works to expand renewable energy capacity while simultaneously ensuring grid reliability and stable electricity supply.

What role should natural gas play in supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy transition?

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