Energy department to develop PH as LNG hub
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 11 - The
Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to develop the domestic natural gas
industry, and eventually transform the Philippines as the liquefied natural gas
(LNG) trading and trans-shipment hub in the Asia-Pacific Region.
According to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, the
DOE is "already preparing the necessary policies as we approach the
depletion of indigenous natural gas supply from Malampaya by 2024.”
“By diversifying our energy mix through LNG, we are
ensuring a secure and stable supply of energy. This is a priority,” Cusi
pointed out.
The DOE public consultation was held at DOE’s
headquarter office in Taguig City to fine-tune the draft Philippine Natural Gas
Regulation (PNGR), the policy framework that will guide the development of the
natural gas industry in the country.
The DOE presented the draft PNGR in accordance to
several key considerations:
The expected drop in indigenous natural gas supply
coming from Malampaya gas field by 2024;
The potential of LNG to cover the increasing
mid-merit to peaking demand of the Philippines which is expected to require
around 18,500 megawatts (MW) by 2040 based on the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP);
The potential of LNG/natural gas-fired power plants
in complementing renewables which are poised to increase from 5,000 MW to
15,000 MW by 2035;
The potential of LNG to replace diesel-fired power
plants in off-grid areas; and
The expected non-power demand for natural gas from
the commercial, industrial, transportation, and even household sectors.
The Philippine Natural Gas Regulation (PNGR) public
consultation was attended by interested local and foreign stakeholders to
include Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., Aboitiz Power, CN Energy, Energy
Development Corporation, CNOOC, Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Singapore,
Embassy of Japan, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Energy World Corporated
Ltd., Gas Power Solutions, GE Philippines, Inc., IE Singapore, Japan Bank for
International Cooperation, JGC Philippines Inc., JSK Gas Corporation, JSK
Holdings, KEPCO Philippines Corporation, Lantau Group, Marubeni Philippines
Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments, Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific Pte.
Ltd.), National Power Corporation, Osaka Gas Manila, Pavilion Energy Pte. Ltd.,
Philippine Petroleum Association of Upstream Industry Inc. (PAP), Sumitomo
Corporation of the Philippines, Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters Pte. Ltd.,
SK E&S, SSB Cryogenic Equipment Pte Ltd., Tokyo Gas Co, Ltd., Total Gas and
Power Asia, Vires, PXP Energy Corporation, Shell, Philodrill, Star Power,
PHINMA, First Gen Corporation, Blackstone, CleanRock, Basic Energy Corporation,
Enerbay, Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation, CGN New
Energy Holdings Co. Ltd., Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., SCU, PhiLNG,
Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, City Enro (BCG),
LGU-Pagbilao, Philippine National Oil Company, First Gas, Puno and PeΓ±arroyo
Law Offices, International Finance Corporation. (DOE/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Pinoys dominate in Siargao invitational beach
volleyball
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 11 (PIA) –
The homecourt advantage played well for the Filipino volleyball players as they
emerged winners at the recently concluded Siargao Invitational Beach Volleyball
held in Cloud 9, Gen. Luna, Siargao Island.
Metchie Castillo and Joan Polinar of Davao City won
P15,000 each for the first prize, based on the official results released by the
Provincial Tourism Office under Provincial Coordinator Ivonnie Dumadag. Placing
second were Crezel Lucagmo and Dara Pingos of Cagayan de Oro who each received
P10,000 prize money.
Meanwhile, Kit Mariquit of Davao City and Ikit
Agudo of Siargao trailed behind for the third prize with P8,000 each. Garnering
the fourth prize of P5,000 were Jane Zapanta and Love Joys Guminang of Davao
City.
For the consolation prize worth P2,000 each,
recipients were PO1 Lorilyn Catubag of Tagum City, SPO1 Norine Lapating of
Cotabato City, PO1 Jessan Tano of Siargao, PO1 Floricel Magsigay and Hannica
Trinidad of Davao City, Ildecres Axad of Compostela Valley, Charlene Lucagbo of
Iligan City, Mayla Casinao of RTU Manila, Mercy Suaybaguio of San Francisco,
Agusan del Sur and Eva Mae Trinidad of Mati City.
It should be noted that the invitational beach
volleyball is a major side event of the historic 23rd Siargao International
Surfing Festival which opened on September 23 and capped on September 28, 2017.
Mayor Jaime Rusillon and Vice Mayor Veronico
Solloso thanked the participants and the facilitators from the provincial
government led by Governor Sol F. Matugas. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
