Batangas City:President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday presided over the ceremonial first gas activation of the Malampaya Phase 4 (MP4) Project at the Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant in Batangas City. This event marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to bolster indigenous natural gas production.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized the importance of maximizing local gas resources to enhance energy independence and ensure a more stable power supply. He noted that energy independence is crucial for the country's sustainable development, highlighting the benefits of relying less on imported energy sources, which are subject to volatile international prices.
The President acknowledged the vulnerability of the country's energy sector to geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and price fluctuations, with more than half of its energy supply in 2025 coming from foreign sources. He stressed the need to explore and develop more local energy resources, particularly renewable energy, to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
The Malampaya gas field, a strategically important energy asset, supports power generation and contributes to the Philippines' energy security. The MP4 development includes deepwater drilling and completion of two new wells, Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1) and Camago-3 (CA-3), along with the integration of new subsea infrastructure into the existing production system. These wells are estimated to have 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas resources, expected to sustain production until around 2034.
President Marcos described the project as a testament to what can be achieved through cooperation with industry stakeholders and development partners. He assured continued government initiatives to foster a conducive environment for energy exploration and production.
The government has awarded 14 new Petroleum Service Contracts for oil, natural gas, and native hydrogen exploration. Special allowances have been provided for service contractors involved in new plays, frontier areas, and remote gas development to encourage exploration. The Philippine Gradiometry and Seismic Survey Project is also being implemented to identify promising areas for future exploration.
Furthermore, the passage of the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act prioritizes indigenous natural gas procurement and utilization over imports by gas-fired power plants. Marcos called on stakeholders and investors to build on the success of the Malampaya Phase 4 Project, emphasizing the optimization of resources and encouragement of responsible investments to serve the national interest.
