Mindanao excluded from DoE’s exploration

Posted on January 19, 2017
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=mindanao-excluded-from-doe&8217s-exploration-offers&id=139288

THE Department of Energy (DoE) has opted not to offer areas in Mindanao for petroleum exploration in view of the discussions relating to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, one of the agencies undersecretaries said.

DoE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos said he was asked by Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi to respond to concerns that the department might bypass the Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR), an exercise wherein areas in the country are offered to investors for possible oil and energy exploration and development.

“DoE has opted not to offer areas for petroleum exploration in the Mindanao Region, specifically those localities under the purview of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in light of the ongoing discussions for the passing of the BBL,” Mr. Marcos said in a letter posted on the agency’s web site.

He said applications for petroleum service contracts are accepted only during the conduct of a contracting round. The fifth and last contracting round was launched on May 9, 2014 and ended on June 30, 2015.

“The conduct of the next PECR is yet to be announced,” he said.

Mr. Marcos gave his assurance that the department “in its thrust to effectively promote energy resource exploration and development, employs and will continue to employ all transparent and competitive means to achieve its objectives and provide a level playing field to all interested parties with the end in view of realizing energy self-sufficient for the country.” -- Victor V. Saulon