The Gas Policy Development Project 3 (GPDP 3) organized its first Agency-Specific Workshop on May 29 at The B Hotel, Quezon City, as part of its ongoing efforts to support regulatory development for the country’s downstream natural gas sector. During the workshop, key government agencies took a major step toward strengthening the sector’s regulatory framework.

The full-day workshop brought together representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Local Government Unit of Batangas, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Also present were representatives from JERA, GPDP 3’s technical partner, engaged through Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). 

Dr. Rizalinda de Leon, GPDP 3 Project Director, and Director Rino Abad of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau formally opened the session, who both underscored the importance of cross-agency cooperation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a robust and sustainable downstream natural gas sector.

With the guidance of Engr. Carmelita Villanueva, GPDP 3’s Deputy Director for Technical,  breakout sessions were carried out wherein the agencies were divided into five technical working  groups (TWGs): Facility Management and Process Safety/ Occupational Health, Fire and Explosion, Environment, Marine and Coastal (MACO), and Civil and Structural.

The groups were tasked to review and validate the preliminary draft of agency-specific regulations as well as to consolidate feedback and cross-align to ensure the development of clear, effective, and well-coordinated guidelines. The workshop also provided a platform to finalize the Technical TWG work plan and to update partner agencies on the proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA), which will formalize inter-agency cooperation moving forward.

Insights from this workshop series will directly contribute to finalizing agency-specific regulations that will help shape a safe, efficient, and sustainable downstream natural gas industry in the Philippines.