Ongoing deep-sea drilling operations near the Malampaya gas field are part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration’s intensified efforts to boost the country’s energy security and ensure a stable power supply for the next decade.
In a Palace press briefing, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharin Garin said that the drillship Noble Viking began operations a few weeks ago and is currently working on three new wells: Camago, Malampaya East, and a third promising prospect named Bagong Pag-asa.
“Balik lang ako doon sa exploration natin. Nagdi-drill sila today. Within the year, we will know kung mayroon nga o wala, especially the two—Camago and Malampaya East. Ang isa we’re hoping, and I think we are quite optimistic about it—itong Bagong Pag-asa,” Garin said.
Garin recognized the importance of indigenous energy sources in insulating the country from global fluctuations in fuel prices.
“Kahit maggiyera man kung saan-saan na part ng mundo, safe tayo. Mapuproteksiyunan natin kasi atin iyon and the prices we can maintain and the supply we can maintain,” Garin said.
Garin said that relying on local sources like Malampaya—especially for electricity generation—would stabilize energy costs.
If viable, Garin said the new wells could begin contributing power by late 2026.
“By next year, late next year, we will have electricity from the new wells already,” Garin said.
The energy secretary recalled that the original Malampaya contract was awarded in 1989 and took more than 10 years to develop before operations began in 2001. Over the years, however, the number of energy exploration contracts declined significantly—from 158 under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to just six under the previous administration.
“We should have done the Malampaya extension ten years ago,” Garin said.
Garin credited President Marcos Jr. for taking decisive action to extend the Malampaya Service Contract until 2037, helping secure the country’s energy future.
“He wants this to secure the future of our next generation,” Garin said. | PND
