By Lenie Lectura - April 19, 2018
A request to tap Malampaya fund to
purchase an exploration vessel has been submitted by the Department of Energy
(DOE).
“I proposed that we acquire a
scientific exploration vessel using the Malamapaya fund so we won’t be
dependent on others. I want the DOE to have one. I submitted already my
request,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.
The agency’s request was submitted
to Malacañang, he said. If necessary, Cusi added, his office would also ask
Congress to grant his request. “Whatever is required, we will also do it.”
The Malampaya fund could only be
utilized for energy-development projects, unless there is a law that says
otherwise.
The government’s share from the
energy-resource development fund, commonly known as the Malampaya fund, reached
P16.25 billion in 2017, 21 percent higher than previous year’s collection.
The DOE, which collects Malampaya
royalties, recorded a collection of P16,250,694,944.30 in 2017. This
brings the total royalties to P251,893,422,351.68 since 2002. The highest
collection amounting to P37,458,390,948.09 was recorded in 2009, records show.
The DOE’s collection is turned over
to the Bureau of Treasury.
During a Senate hearing in
March, DOE Assistant Secretary Gerardo Erquiza said the proposed seismic
vessel will be used for oil and gas exploration.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian supports the
proposal. “One of these vessels will cost P1.2 billion, which can be covered by
the Malampaya fund…The ship can also do marine research but primary role is
seismic research,” the senator said.
The DOE earlier called on
lawmakers to pass a legislation that will allow the government to tap the
Malampaya fund to pay for the P53 billion worth of debts incurred by the
National Power Corp. over the years.
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