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MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Western Philippine Sea, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday.
The Secretary of Energy, Alfonso Cusi, said in a statement that the DOE issued a notice to “resume work” to service contractors that perform oil-related activities in areas of SC 59, 72 and 75 in the sea Western Philippines.
SC 59 and 72 are operated by Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) and Forum Ltd., respectively. Meanwhile, PXP Energy Corp. operates SC 75.
“With the imminent depletion of our 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 the continuity of supply of indigenous resources in the country. Cusi said.
The Aquino administration issued a moratorium on all exploration and drilling activities covering the disputed Western Philippine Sea in 2014 amid growing geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China.
Duterte’s turn to China enabled the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Manila and Beijing for a joint oil and gas exploration agreement in the Western Philippine Sea.
Cusi said the lifting of the moratorium was achieved “in good faith” and with full respect for the ongoing negotiations between the Philippines and China, and Forum Ltd. and China National Offshore Corp. (CNOOC).
READ: Palace publishes PH-China MOU on oil and gas development
READ: PH Envoy: Joint Oil Exploration Agreement Will Follow China and PH Laws
China has been pushing for its expansive claims in the South China Sea, which overlaps the territory of the Philippines.
Beijing has refused to acknowledge the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that invalidated its ambitious nine-line line that practically contains the entire body of water.
Meanwhile, Duterte has chosen to archive the PCA ruling in exchange for Chinese economic benefits to help fund his administration’s infrastructure projects, even as the Asian power continues its military activities within Philippine territory.
KGA
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