Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)
- June 22, 2020 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Energy
Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the exploration works in West Philippine Sea would
not compromise the country’s sovereignty as it looks to find partners
–including China – in exploiting resources in the disputed waters.
In a statement, Cusi said the
Department of Energy (DOE) is working together with the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) so that exploration activities in the West Philippine Sea could
finally proceed.
In updating the members of the
Regional Peace and Order Council (ROPC) of Region IV-B MIMAROPA
(Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan) recently, the energy chief assured the
body that exploration and development of resources within the area would not
compromise the country’s sovereignty.
“While we are protecting our
territories, the DOE is trying to work together with the DFA on how we can
continue exploration in the area,” he said.
The body is chaired by Palawan Gov.
Jose Alvarez, while Cusi is the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional
Development and Security (CORDS) for Region IV-B.
“We are doing this without
compromising our sovereignty. That’s one thing we can assure you as we progress
in our exploration on how to develop and utilize the resources there at the
West Philippine Sea,” Cusi said. “We need it to attain energy security.”
Cusi earlier said he is planning to
discuss with his Chinese counterpart joint exploration efforts in the West
Philippine Sea once the enhanced community quarantine is lifted.
He and his counterpart were supposed
to hold a meeting on joint exploration earlier this year but the coronavirus
disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic stalled the visit of the Chinese counterparts
to the country.
There are no specific details yet as
to when and where the meeting will take place, but a way forward would be
discussed, the energy chief said earlier.
The Philippine and Chinese officials
last held a meeting on joint exploration in December last year.
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