The Department of Energy and the Management Association of the Philippines signed a three-year Joint Energy Action Agenda on Dec. 1, 2025 to accelerate the country’s energy plan and prioritize indigenous natural gas as a strategic anchor for the power grid.
The agreement, which covers 2026 to 2029, marks the first formal coordination between the government and the private sector to implement the Philippine Energy Plan 2023–2050. The initiative seeks to close supply gaps, strengthen infrastructure and manage electricity costs to ensure reliable and sustainable power.
Under the agenda, indigenous natural gas is recognized as a stabilizing component of the national power mix. Officials said gas provides essential baseload support as the country scales up its renewable energy capacity.
Prime Energy president and chief executive Donnabel Kuizon-Cruz, who led the technical working group for the agenda, said indigenous natural gas remains a strategic anchor of the energy system. Cruz noted that gas helps keep power secure and affordable for households and businesses while the country expands renewable resources.
Prime Energy is the operator of Service Contract 38 and is undertaking the $893-million Malampaya Phase 4 drilling and exploration program. The project aims to extend the life of the Malampaya gas resource, which supplies about 20 percent of the power needs for Luzon, the country’s most populous island. At its peak, the field supplied up to 40 percent of Luzon’s energy requirements.
The joint agenda also focus on improving access to natural gas for a wider range of consumers and delivering electricity to both major demand centers and off-grid communities. Industry leaders said gas complements domestic resources while exploration for new indigenous supplies continues.
Beyond indigenous production, the partnership aims to strengthen market frameworks and midstream infrastructure. The collaboration follows a series of roundtable discussions between industry leaders and the government to address national goals for energy accessibility and resiliency.
