EEZ being developed, Cusi says

 May 10, 2021 12:20 AM  By Joshua Lao

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/05/10/eez-being-developed-cusi-says/

 

In response to former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio’s statement, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the government is already exercising its right to build structures within its exclusive economic zone or EEZ in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“With due respect to Justice Carpio, I think that is exactly what the government did when, in October last year, we lifted the moratorium and ordered the resumption of petroleum activities in several license areas that have been dormant for many years,” Cusi explained.

“The DoE (Department of Energy) has been busy seeking investors into petroleum blocks in the (WPS),” he added.

According to him, new service contracts have been awarded or in process to date.

Upon the DoE’s recommendation, President Rodrigo Duterte okayed the lifting of the oil exploration moratorium in October 2020, which will allow the country to address its energy security requirement.

The Energy chief likewise stressed that the impending depletion of the Malampaya’s natural gas reserves compels the agency to resume exploration and develop structures within the EEZ to ensure supply continuity.

While at it, Cusi explained that the lifting of the moratorium will place service contractors under a legal obligation to put capital in contract areas and hire Filipino engineers and technical workers to resume exploration.

To recall, Carpio backed a proposal from an American technology and research company to put up outposts in the country’s unoccupied WPS features. which will be effective given the previous arbitral award that allows the Philippine government to do such.