The Palawan Provincial Board is optimistic that a bill seeking a share for host provinces in offshore mining and energy revenues will gain support in Congress.
Board Member Roseller Pineda cited the congressional leadership behind House Bill No. 5571, which was authored by Palawan Representatives Jose Chaves Alvarez and Gil Acosta Jr.
The proposal would establish a revenue-sharing arrangement between the national government and provinces located near offshore resource projects.
“Kung titingnan natin, malakas ang panawagan ng proposed bill dahil may leadership ang nagpropose in the person of Congressman JCA,” Pineda said.
He said Palawan’s failed attempt to secure a share from the Malampaya natural gas project showed the need for Congress to pass a law that clearly covers offshore resources.
“That is our learned lesson. Previous na sinasabi nating polisiya from the national na we have share in our natural wealth, particularly oil, pero hindi nga nangyari ‘yon,” he said.
The Supreme Court previously ruled that Palawan was not entitled to a share in revenues from the Malampaya project. The province had challenged its exclusion after receiving revenue shares from the Camago and Galoc oil fields.
Acosta earlier explained that the Constitution and Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code, provide local government units with a share in revenues generated from natural resources within their areas. However, the provisions do not clearly state whether the arrangement covers offshore resources.
He said the Supreme Court left it to Congress to establish a policy governing revenue sharing from offshore projects.
“Kung sinasabi ng Malampaya oil, how many kilometers from the shoreline of Palawan, mas marami pang darating na national wealth na mas malapit. Hopefully, we can have a share,” Pineda said.
He added that the proposed law could give Palawan and other provinces a legal basis to claim revenue shares if new energy or mineral resources are discovered near their offshore areas.
