The newly appointed chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, Senator Pia Cayetano, says that the advancement of the country’s natural gas resources is the way to reduce its reliance on international energy factors that affect prices.
Manila Standard reported that Cayetano affirmed her commitment to advancing a bill that would establish policies to support natural gas development, including the Malampaya gas reserves.
Cayetano added this would take on the role of a transition fuel until full renewable energy (RE) takes place.
She also said that establishing policies to bolster the exploration of natural gas should take place, as the energy security of the country is dependent on its ability to have its own supply.
Additionally, the newly appointed chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy is rallying behind the proposed Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act, which is now being discussed by her committee.
The passage of this bill means the possibility of amplifying the exploration of natural gas and is seen to be a crucial step in transitioning to full RE.
The Malampaya Deepwater Gas-to-Power project has been supplying 20% of Luzon’s electricity needs since 2001 and has played a part in the country’s energy independence.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian acknowledged Prime Energy’s dedication to furthering the Philippines’ natural gas resources, saying that this is the first true exploration effort he has seen.
Like Cayetano, Gatchalian is optimistic about the success of these projects, slated for next year, led by the Prime Infra subsidiary and operator of Malampaya – Prime Energy.
