DOE set to rebid explorations,  but Tañon might not be in list

The Department of Energy (DOE) is not yet sure if the Tañon Strait would be included among the areas where oi8l exploration activities would be conducted under the Philippine Energy Contracting Round.

DOE 7 Regional Director Antonio Labios said that the inclusion of Tañon Strait in the bid for possible sponsored explorations is not yet final.

 He said that they are still waiting for the decision of the central office in Manila if Tañon Strait, as one of the potential oil source, will be offered to investors again.

This comes after the Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. (Japex) pulled out of Tañon Strait saying that there was no oil of commercial quantity in the area.

The Save Tañon Strait Citizen’s Movement believes that the DOE will eventually include the area in the exploration if there would be an interested investor.

Vince Cinches, a key member of STSCM, said the report they received says DOE is looking for another investor that will continue the oil-drilling project abandoned by Japex Philippines Ltd. just recently.

“DOE is trying to contradict Japex’s declaration that there is no commercially viable oil deposit in Tañon Strait,” Cinches said.

If there really is no oil in Tañon, Cinches asked why the DOE would rebid the questionable contract.

“I believe Japex’s reason of withdrawal is to elude from shrilling protests of fisher folks and stakeholders,” he said.

“DOE, on the other hand, is trying to save its pride. They don’t want to accept na napildi sila. If they continue this, they will be cited in contempt because they still have a pending case in court,” he added.

Environmental Law Professor Benjamin A. Cabrido Jr. claimed that DOE couldn’t just rebid Service Contract 46 because it is still under litigation.

Two cases were filed by the fisherfolk on behalf of the dolphins in Tañon and on behalf of all the fishermen against Japex and were already consolidated in court.

“SC 46 is yet to be determined valid or not because there is no law yet, in the constitution, allowing this contract,” Cabrido said.

Referring to the National Integrated Protected Area System, such oil exploration is prohibited within the Tañon Strait Protected seascape.

“Another thing questionable there is ang pagshortcut nila sa Environmental Impact Assessment for having no Environmental Compliance Certificate,” he added. — Jessica Ann Pareja, UP Masscomm Intern/NLQ