President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the ceremonial first gas activation of the Malampaya Phase 4 (MP4) Project at the Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant in Batangas City, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen indigenous natural gas production.
During the event, Marcos emphasized the importance of maximizing the country’s local gas resources to strengthen energy independence and ensure a more stable power supply.
“We all know the importance of energy independence to our country’s sustainable development. Something that is proven to us every single day, especially in the past few months,” Marcos said.
“Maximizing the use of Malampaya gas could contribute to more competitive power rates because we are relying less on imported energy sources that are subject to volatile international energy prices,” he added.
Marcos acknowledged that the country’s energy sector remains “very susceptible” to geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and price fluctuations, noting that more than half of its energy supply in 2025 came from foreign suppliers.
He stressed the need to explore and develop more local energy resources, particularly renewable energy sources, to reduce the Philippines’ dependence on imported fuel.
“As our economy grows, so does our demand for energy. Industrialization and energy grow hand-in-hand, one cannot exist without the other. We cannot fully rely on other countries to provide these resources all of the time,” Marcos said.
The Malampaya gas field remains one of the country’s most strategically important energy assets, supporting power generation and contributing to the Philippines’ energy security.
The MP4 development includes deepwater drilling and completion of two new wells, 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.
MAE-1 and CA-3 wells have an estimated 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas resources, expected to support continued production from the Malampaya field until around 2034.
Marcos described the project as proof what the country can achieve through continued cooperation with industry stakeholders and development partners.
“On the part of government, you may rest assured that we will continue to pursue initiatives that foster a more conducive environment for energy exploration and production,” he said.
Marcos noted that the government has awarded 14 new Petroleum Service Contracts covering oil, natural gas and native hydrogen exploration.
He also cited the Department of Energy’s special allowances for service contractors involved in new plays, frontier areas and gas development in remote areas to encourage more exploration activities.
He said the government is likewise implementing the Philippine Gradiometry and Seismic Survey Project to identify promising areas for future exploration.
He also highlighted the passage of the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, which prioritizes the procurement and utilization of indigenous natural gas over imported natural gas by gas-fired power plants.
“Taken together, these measures optimize our resources, encourage responsible investments, and ensure that the benefits of our pursuits serve the national interest. To our stakeholders and our investors: Let us build on the success of this Malampaya Phase 4 Project,” Marcos said. (PNA)
