Industry leaders discuss the future of the Philippine energy landscape during a panel session at the 2nd MAP Energy CEO Forum 2025 on December 1 in Makati. From left: Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella; First Gen Chief Customer Engagement Officer Carlo Vega; Vivant Energy VP and Head of Off-Grid Solutions Erickson Omamalin; Energy Secretary Sharon Garin; Prime Energy President and CEO Donnabel Kuizon Cruz; National Power Corporation President and CEO Jericho Nograles; and LNGPH CEO Yari Miralao.
Prime Energy underscored the indispensable role of indigenous natural gas in supporting national energy security as the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and the Department of Energy (DOE) formalized a three-year Joint Energy Action Agenda (JEAA) for 2026-2029.
Signed during the 2nd MAP Energy CEO Forum last December 1, 2025, the JEAA marks the first time government and the private sector have aligned under a single, coordinated work plan to accelerate implementation of the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2023–2050. The agenda aims to close supply gaps, strengthen infrastructure and market frameworks, and manage costs to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable power nationwide.
Donnabel Kuizon-Cruz, Prime Energy President and CEO, served as technical working group lead for the JEAA, which was developed through a series of MAP-led roundtable discussions with the DOE and industry leaders.
The JEAA strengthens public-private collaboration to deliver reliable electricity to both major demand centers and off-grid communities, while advancing national goals for accessibility, resiliency and a balanced energy transition. It recognizes indigenous natural gas as a stabilizing component of the country’s power mix, providing essential baseload support as renewable capacity continues to scale up.
Beyond indigenous supply, industry stakeholders emphasized the broader role of natural gas in supporting affordability and system stability. Gas complements domestic resources in fueling power plants while exploration for new indigenous supply continues—an area Prime Energy is actively pursuing. Industry collaboration across the value chain is also focused on improving access to natural gas for a wider range of consumers.
“Indigenous natural gas remains a strategic anchor of our energy system,” Cruz said. “As we expand renewables, gas—supported by domestic production and efficient midstream infrastructure—helps keep power secure and affordable for Filipino households and businesses.”
Prime Energy, as operator of Service Contract (SC) 38, is undertaking the US$893-million Malampaya Phase 4 drilling and exploration program as part of its ongoing efforts to extend the life of the Malampaya gas resource.
Malampaya currently supplies around 20% of Luzon’s power needs and, at its peak, supplied up to 40% of Luzon’s energy requirements.
