The Gas Policy Development Project Phase 3 (GPDP 3) successfully conducted Workshop 1 on the development of the Integrated Inspection and Monitoring Manual (IIMM) on 23 January 2026 at The Bayleaf Intramuros. This activity brought together the PIA-HSSE-IMT member agencies directly involved in the governance of LNG facilities and terminals to align and integrate their regulatory checklists.

The workshop saw active participation from the Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Working Conditions (DOLE-BWC), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Local Government Unit of Batangas, Department of Health – Bureau of Quarantine (DOH-BOQ), Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Bureau of Fire Protection (DILG – BFP).

This session marked a significant step forward, as the Project built upon the previously validated Codes of Standards Practice and Proposed Agency-Specific Regulations, integrating these frameworks to develop a functional, on-the-ground regulatory tool. It advanced efforts to align the agencies’ inspection and monitoring checklists and reporting templates, allowing for a more streamlined and coordinated inspection and monitoring process moving forward. 

In coordination with the GPDP 3 team, the Department of Energy provided essential technical guidance and oversight throughout the workshop to ensure that the IIMM remains current, practical, and consistent with applicable regulations and on-the-ground inspection and monitoring needs.

Representatives from JERA, including General Manager Soichiro Niwa, Senior Manager Yukio Takahashi, and Project Coordinator Mariko Takizawa, also actively participated in the workshop, sharing their industry expertise and supporting the development of robust inspection and monitoring frameworks. 

By establishing the IIMM as a common regulatory tool, GPDP 3 and its partner agencies are streamlining the governance of LNG operations to ensure maximum safety and efficiency. This collaborative effort ensures that inter-agency inspections are synchronized, reducing redundancies for operators while maintaining standards. The development of these operational tools represents a vital step toward a more cohesive and effective regulatory environment for the country’s growing downstream natural gas sector.