By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday conducted an aerial inspection of the Malampaya Phase 4 Project as the government intensified efforts to boost domestic natural gas production, strengthen the country’s energy security, and lessen its dependence on imported fuel.
The inspection focused on the operations of the Malampaya gas field, the Philippines’ only commercially producing natural gas facility and the primary supplier of fuel to power plants serving Luzon.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the President personally assessed the project’s progress as the administration accelerates initiatives to secure the country’s long-term energy needs.
The Malampaya gas field, once projected to run dry by 2027 without new exploration, is now expected to continue supplying natural gas until 2034 following the development of new reserves under the Malampaya Phase 4 Project.
To further strengthen the country’s energy independence, Marcos has directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to pursue additional petroleum and gas exploration, review existing upstream service contracts, provide incentives to investors, and identify new indigenous gas sources near Malampaya and other potential sites.
Since July 2022, the government has awarded 14 new petroleum service contracts covering prospective exploration areas in Cagayan, Pangasinan, Zambales, offshore Palawan, Cebu, Leyte, and the Sulu Sea.
Government data showed that imported energy sources accounted for 52 percent of the country’s total primary energy supply in 2025, while locally produced energy contributed the remaining 48 percent.
For natural gas alone, 55 percent of the country’s supply came from imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), while 45 percent continued to be sourced from the Malampaya gas field.
Under Phase 4, three new production wells are being developed — Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1), Camago-3, and Bagong Pag-asa-1.
The DOE reported that the MAE-1 and Camago-3 wells were successfully drilled and tested earlier this year, yielding an estimated 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The subsea pipeline connecting the new wells to the existing Malampaya production system was completed in June.
The government is targeting the commercial delivery of gas from the MAE-1 and Camago-3 wells by the fourth quarter of 2026, while preparations continue for the drilling of the Bagong Pag-asa-1 well.
Energy officials said the newly discovered reserves are capable of generating approximately 31.46 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to supply power to an estimated 13.11 million households for one year.
The Marcos administration said the continued expansion of the Malampaya project is a key component of its strategy to improve energy security, stabilize electricity supply, and reduce the country’s vulnerability to volatile global fuel prices by increasing indigenous energy production.
ia/xf
