National energy policy and resource management strategies are shifting toward deepwater extraction to counter dwindling domestic reserves and prevent severe dependence on foreign fuel markets.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the first gas activation of the Malampaya Phase 4 (MP4) Project at the Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant in Barangay Tabangao Ambulong, Batangas City, which marked a milestone in the ongoing development of the Philippines’ only commercially producing natural gas field.
“Anong ibig sabihin nito para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino Sariling gas. Mas ma-aasahang kuryente. Mas matatag na enerhiya para sa ating bansa,” the President said during the ceremonies.
Marcos said for more than two decades, Malampaya has supplied indigenous natural gas, helping power homes, businesses and communities while reducing reliance on imported fuel.
Marcos also said the Malampaya gas field remains as one of the country’s most strategically important energy assets, supporting power generation and contributing to the Philippines’ energy security.
Marcos also said that with the activation of the Malampaya Phase 4, new gas resources goes into production and extends the Malampaya field’s contribution to the country’s energy needs as existing reserves mature.
The MP4 development includes deepwater drilling and completion of two new wells, the Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1) and Camago-3 (CA-3), as well as the installation and integration of new subsea infrastructure into the existing Malampaya production system.
The two wells have an estimated 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas resources, expected to support continued production from the Malampaya field until around 2034.