DoE eyes vessels for oil exploration

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is thinking of using funds from the Malampaya gas facility to buy research vessels to explore possible

“Procuring that kind of ship is being seriously studied and Secretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said.

“The Malampaya funds [ are]

“We also thought: Why not [use Erguiza said.

- chasing ships for marine research seas.

Every time there is an explora for it or lets a private entity do so with the understanding that after it uses whatever data come out of he said.

- man of the Senate Committee on - ing the country lacks ships for ex and seismic surveys.

have P204 billion in Malampaya [funds]. We can afford to purchase

Based on the legislator’s com to pay off all stranded debts and ships.

Rodrigo Duterte expressed willingness to use taxpayers’ money on maritime survey vessels.

Spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said there was a need to assess the natural resources in the Philippine (Benham) Rise.

“[ Agriculture] Secretary [ Emmanuel] Piñol [said] they have been conducting research on the Philippine Rise for the past decade. [The plan to buy ships is] now very

- ment may not even use the Malampaya funds to buy the vessels.

Using the funds could raise le Court had ordered that they may only be used for energy-related

But Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez had said the government had the money to buy the ships without using the Malam