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The Department of Energy (DOE) is now evaluating THREE more oil exploration applications in the Western Philippine Sea (WPS).
In an online press conference on Monday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi revealed that these were in addition to the five contracts of service holders, who were recently given the go-ahead to resume their oil exploration in the WPS. .
“In the nominated areas, there were three companies that are currently under evaluation,” Cusi said.
Last April, the DOE offered three areas in the WPS for potential investors to develop under its Philippine Conventional Power Procurement Program (PCEP).
This is in addition to the five service licensee contracts, who are expected to begin their oil search operation after President Duterte lifted the five-year exploration moratorium in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the WPS.
The moratorium was enforced due to the country’s territorial dispute with China in the WPS.
Cusi noted that they have not observed any “backlash” from China on the country’s unilateral decision to resume oil exploration activities in the WPS.
The president’s decision is aimed at allowing the government to tap into the natural resources in the WPS so that Filipinos can benefit from it, Cusi said.
He said the exploration period for each service contract is expected to last five years. During that period, exploration work is expected to create jobs and attract investment to the country.
The DOE noted that they are open to accepting exploration requests from other countries, including China.
He stressed that partnering with China in such exploration in the WPS does not weaken the country’s claim in the WPS, which was upheld by the 2016 arbitration award.
“Our memorandum of understanding to explore a joint development program or cooperation with China [is so crafted that it] in no way … weaken or give in to our sovereigns, ”Cusi said.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who primarily drew up the memorandum of understanding, previously said he was opposed to an earlier suggestion to lift the moratorium only with respect to China, as this would give the Asian giant much more. advantage than others. Besides the fact that Duterte’s lifting order is “universal”, meaning any country or company can involve the Philippines as an oil player, the MOU will also prevent Beijing from having the upper hand in the negotiations, Locsin added.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Monday that the country’s “sovereign right” over resources in the WPS “may be shared by others.”
“The decision to share it is part of sovereign rights,” said Roque.
