By: Darryl John Esguerra - Reporter / @DJEsguerraINQ INQUIRER.net / 09:52 PM October 15, 2020
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement that a “resume to work” notice was issued by the DOE to the Service Contractors doing petroleum-related activities in the areas of SC 59, 72, and 75 in the West Philippine Sea.
SCs 59 and 72 are operated by the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) and Forum Ltd., respectively. Meanwhile, PXP Energy Corp. operates SC 75.
“With the impending depletion of our natural gas reserve in Malampaya, it is the...