Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the UP Statistical Center Research Foundation Inc. (UPSCRFI) as the first step in the implementation of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation (PDNGR).
“The Philippines has been striving to make waves in the energy industry. Looking at the country’s current energy landscape through the Energy Trilemma lens, we have been performing exceptionally well in terms of environmental sustainability, but lagging in terms of energy security and equity,” Cusi said.
“Projects like this, which help develop the country’s LNG industry, will bring us closer to attaining our energy goals in the midst of Malampaya’s forthcoming depletion and our ever growing energy demand. The county is open for business. The DOE is ready for business,” he added.
Cusi highlighted that the signing of the MOA is a major step in pushing the efficient and effective regulation of the Philippines’ downstream natural gas industry.
On the other hand, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian cited reasons supporting the development of the country’s LNG market in his opening remarks. He mentioned Malampaya’s depletion and other energy security issues, the importance of the Paris Agreement, the utilization of renewable energy (RE) sources in the power supply mix, and the country’s openness for investors.
Meanwhile, DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos presented emerging policies and challenges of the country’s natural gas industry, in which he highlighted the need and potential demand of the LNG importation.
The Gas policy Development Project (GPDP) is aligned with the DOE’s goal to fast-track the establishment of a distributing and receiving LNG facility. GPDP aims to provide technical assistance to DOE in implementing Department Circular No. 2017-11-2012, or the PDNGR.
DOE Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III closed the program by extending the department’s gratitude and enthusiasm in working with its partners from the academe.
Other attendees of the launching were DOE Assistant Secretary Caron E. Lascano, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission John Law, UPSCRFI President Dr. Gervacio Selda Jr., Senior Attorney for Energy and Finance Atty. Mohamed Rali Badissy, GPDP Project Director Dr. Ramon Clarete, United States Department of State Senior Foreign Assistance Planning Officer Levi White, other DOE officials and energy stakeholders.
