President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is looking to maximize output from the Malampaya gas field while securing alternative fuel sources as global oil market volatility threatens the Philippines.
In a vlog released Sunday, Marcos said the government is in talks with countries including India, China, Japan, Thailand, Brunei, and South Korea to diversify fuel supplies.
“Ongoing din ang koordinasyon sa paggamit ng malampaya natural gas na full capacity para madagdagan naman ang supply natin sa kuryente,” he said.
“Tungkol naman sa supply ng langis, nakikipag-usap na po tayo sa mga bansa na ating mga trade partner gaya ng India,” he added.
The Department of Energy is also fast-tracking 23 power projects with a combined 900-megawatt capacity expected online within two months.
Marcos acknowledged that global oil price swings are beyond the country’s control but stressed that the government is taking steps to soften the impact.
Authorities are also preparing for downstream effects, including higher petroleum-linked costs such as fertilizer, while coordinating with power generators to increase grid capacity.
Malampaya, located off the coast of Palawan, is the Philippines’ largest natural gas field and a key source of fuel for electricity generation in Luzon. It supplies around 40% of the country’s power needs and has been instrumental in stabilizing energy costs for decades.
It was discovered in 1989 and began commercial gas production in January 2002, marking the birth of the country’s natural gas industry. Malampaya has since supplied natural gas that feeds power plants in Luzon, contributing to roughly 20–40% of the island’s electricity generation over the years.
In 2023, the Malampaya Service Contract was extended for 15 years, allowing operations to continue until February 22, 2039.
