Senate pressed on bill to develop natural gas

MANILA, Philippines — Senators are being urged to immediately deliberate on a pending legislation that would put in place state policy for the full development of the Philippine natural gas industry.

House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre of the Tingog party list said the Lower Chamber has already passed on third reading the proposed Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry (PDNGI) Development Act, a legislative priority of the Marcos administration.

“I urge our fellow lawmakers in the Senate to prioritize the deliberation on Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act. While this is not a silver bullet that will address all the problems in the energy sector, I am certain that it will alleviate the conditions of our energy supply,” he said.

“More importantly, its inclusion as one of the LEDAC priorities of this administration needs no further explanation or plea for its immediate passage,” he said, referring to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

Acidre is one of the principal authors of the measure’s version in the House, HB 8456, which the chamber already approved on third reading on Aug. 3, 2023.

It seeks to establish the PDNGI to promote indigenous natural gas as a “safe, environment-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy.”

Its counterpart bill in the Senate, SB 2247, authored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, is now being reviewed by a technical working group.

Acidre cited expert discussions in COP 28 held in Dubai “that natural gas is an important energy source that needs to be harnessed to reach energy independence.”

“Developing the natural gas industry can help the Philippines become more self-reliant in meeting its energy needs,” Acidre said.

“By tapping into domestic natural gas resources and building a robust industry around it, the country can reduce its dependence on imported energy sources,” he said.

Acidre said that the country needs to have a PDNGI in place to sustain stability in electricity supply.

“Considering the energy crisis that repeatedly comes to fore every summertime, the development of the downstream natural gas industry can help enhance the country’s energy security by diversifying its energy sources,” he said.