HINILING ng mga kongresista, na nabibilang sa ‘power block’ ng House of Representatives, ang  Malampaya gas-to-power project extension upang mapigilan ang napipintong energy crisis na dulot  ng tumataas na demand at bumababang resources.

Sa virtual Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel na may titulong ‘Energy Independence Crucial to National  Security’, nagsama-sama ang ilang industry leaders at opisyal ng Kongreso upang talakayin ang  namumuong energy crisis at ang mga posibleng solusyon para rito.

“We need to fast-track the development of our energy supply,” wika ni  Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Rozzano  Briguez, President and CEO ng The Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation
(PNOC-EC). “We envision exploring new oil and gas sources to augment our Malampaya reserves.”

Naghain ang mga kongresista ng House Resolution No. 1063, na nananawagan para sa  pagpapatupad ng national defense at security policies upang matamo ang independent at
sustainable energy supply, habang nakatuon din sa pagpapalawig ng buhay ng Malampaya plant.

“Malampaya plays a vital role in energy security,” pahayag ni PHILRECA party-list Rep. Presley C. De  Jesus.

Kasabay nito ay sinabi niya na: “Is it enough? That’s the question. Natural gas is very affordable and  dependable. Energy independence would help us sustain our rapid development.”

Sa katunayan, ang isyu ng energy security ay may pangmatagalang epekto na hindi naaabot ng  power industry.

“Energy security is a crucial factor in protecting and upholding our national sovereignty, so we can  keep domestic economies running at full power,” sabi ni APEC party-list Rep. Sergio C. Dagooc.

Ipinaliwanag niya na sa masamang epekto na dulot ng COVID-19 sa global supply chain, hindi na  tuloy-tuloy na makaaasa sa foreign fuel source.

Nagbabala rin si Ako Padayon party-list Rep. Adriano A. Ebcas na: “Unless the government quickly  addresses all these energy issues and rising demands, the Philippines may face an acute power
shortage. These power shortages can have far-reaching effects—from access to energy and high  energy cost, to livelihood, education, and of course, national security.”

Kasabay nito, ipinaliwanag ni Philippine Energy Independence Council Director Don Paulino kung  bakit ang mabilis na paglinang ng mas maraming energy resources ay maaaring maging isang
investment sa bansa sa hinaharap.

“This country will have further growth, social mobility, and deeper impact on society if we have  energy security and independence. Energy demand will increase as the Philippines continues to
grow. We need two to three times the supply we have right now,” aniya.

Binigyang-diin ni Rep. Godofredo N. Guya ng Recoboda party-list na mahalaga ang pagtutulungan  ng public at private sector, lalo na pagdating sa epektibong energy exploration at development.

Sa ngalan ng 121 electric cooperatives sa buong bansa, iginiit naman Atty. Janene Depay Colingan,  General Manager ng PhilReca, ang pangangailangan ng energy exploration efforts.