MALAMPAYA EXTENSION GIIT NG SOLONS

HINILING ng mga kongresista, na nabibilang sa ‘power block’ ng House of Representatives, ang Malampaya gas-to-power project extension upang mapigilan ang napipintong energy crisis na dulot ng tumataas na demand at bumababang resources.

Sa virtual Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel na may titulong ‘Energy  Independence Crucial to National Security’, nagsama-sama ang  ilang  industry leaders at opisyal ng Kongreso upang talakayin ang namumuong energy crisis at ang mga posibleng solusyon para rito.

“We need to fast-track the development of our energy supply,” wika ni  Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Rozzano Briguez, President and CEO ng The Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC). “We envision exploring new oil and gas sources to augment our Malampaya reserves.”

Naghain ang mga kongresista ng House Resolution No. 1063, na nananawagan para sa pagpapatupad ng  national defense at security policies upang matamo ang independent at sustainable energy supply, habang nakatuon din sa pagpapalawig ng buhay ng Malampaya plant.

“Malampaya plays a vital role in energy security,” pahayag ni  PHILRECA party-list Rep. Presley C. De Jesus.

Kasabay nito ay sinabi niya na: “Is it enough? That’s the question. Natural gas is very affordable and dependable. Energy independence would help us sustain our rapid development.”

Sa katunayan, ang isyu ng energy security ay may pangmatagalang epekto na hindi naaabot ng power industry.

“Energy security is a crucial factor in protecting and upholding our national sovereignty, so we can keep domestic economies running at full power,” sabi ni APEC party-list Rep. Sergio C. Dagooc.

Ipinaliwanag niya na sa masamang epekto na dulot ng COVID-19 sa global supply chain, hindi na tuloy-tuloy na makaaasa sa foreign fuel source.

Nagbabala rin si  Ako Padayon party-list Rep. Adriano A. Ebcas na: “Unless the government quickly addresses all these energy issues and rising demands, the Philippines may face an acute power shortage. These power shortages can have far-reaching effects—from access to energy and high energy cost, to livelihood, education, and of course, national security.”

Kasabay nito, ipinaliwanag ni Philippine ­Energy Independence Council Director Don Paulino kung bakit ang mabilis na paglinang ng mas maraming energy resources ay maaaring maging isang investment sa bansa sa hinaharap.

“This country will have further growth, social mobility, and deeper impact on society if we have energy security and independence. Energy demand will increase as the Philippines continues to grow. We need two to three times the supply we have right now,” aniya.

“This brings opportunities—now have an opportunity to develop our indigenous, renewable, and clean energy and transition from coal. This will result in more efficient and affordable energy,” dagdag pa niya.

Ang patuloy na operasyon ng Malampaya ay mahalaga para matiyak ang pangmatagalan at walang patid na suplay ng enerhiya. Sa kasalukuyan, nagbibigay ito ng koryente sa 30% ng bansa, lalo na sa Luzon, kung saan ang natural at indigenous gas ay bumubuo sa 98% ng domestic oil at gas production.

Binigyang-diin ni Rep. Godofredo N. Guya ng Recoboda party-list na mahalaga ang pagtutulu­ngan ng public at private sector, lalo na pagdating sa epektibong energy exploration  at development.

“Now is not the time to get carried away with legal battles. We must tap the private and public sector to improve capa­city and supply, and attract more investors.” aniya.

Sa ngalan ng 121 electric cooperatives sa buong bansa, iginiit naman Atty. Janene Depay Colingan, General Ma­nager ng PhilReca, ang pangangaila­ngan ng energy exploration efforts.

“Electric cooperatives are exerting effort in energizing far-flung areas,” ani Colingan. “But we can only achieve energy security with the partnership of all sectors in energy.”

Ipinaalala rin  ni Rep. Dagooc sa  bawat isa ang isang dahilan kung bakit inihain ng mga kongresista ang bill sa Renewable Energy:  “The purpose why we filed this bill is for the House of Representatives to review our energy policies so we can transition to energy independence.”