The Gas Policy Development Project 3 (GPDP 3) conducted its Orientation Workshop for the regulatory agencies of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry (PDNGI)  on January 31, 2025, at The B Hotel in Quezon City.  Representatives from eight (8) government agencies and local government units, comprising the Philippine Inter-agency Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Inspection and Monitoring Team (PIA-HSSE-IMT) aligned their objectives and activities to support the development of agency-specific natural gas regulations. 

Government agencies in attendance include the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the local government unit of Batangas.

DOE Usec. Alessandro Sales expressed his support and high hopes on the project’s initiatives during his welcome remarks, underscoring how the interagency collaboration  is a significant step in developing the country’s natural gas industry.

GPDP 3 Project Director Dr. de Leon followed with a presentation of the project’s accomplishments from its Year 1 and previous phases, showcasing its progress in establishing a solid and actionable regulatory framework for the PDNGI. 

A major highlight of the workshop was DOE – Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Director Rino Abad’s introduction of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the partnerships and roles among the concerned agencies. The MOA details how the DOE and partner agencies, through GPDP’s technical assistance, will develop standards, guidelines, and regulations for downstream natural gas/liquefied natural gas (LNG), ensuring alignment with national laws and the Philippine government’s energy priorities.

The workshop also featured the formation of Technical Working Groups (TWGs), structured into five components: Facility, Process Safety, & Occupational Health; Fire & Explosion; Environment; Coastal, Marine, & Ports; and Civil & Structural. Led by GPDP 3 Deputy Director for Technical Engr. Carmelita Villanueva, breakout sessions provided a platform for smaller groups to hash out the TWG’s terms of reference, member qualifications, work plan, and timeline. 

Emphasizing the critical role of their work, Usec. Sales urged the TWG members to prioritize uplifting the industry as well as the lives of Filipinos as they shape the country’s natural gas regulations.

“The creation of a technical committee was specifically provided for in the law which is the recently passed Downstream Natural Gas Development Act. That law requires the issuance of codes. The initiation of this project is to ensure that there will be no delay,” adds DOE Dir. Rino E Abad, explaining the crucial role in the timely development of the codes.

The Gas Policy Development Project has supported the Department of Energy in advancing the Philippines’ downstream natural gas sector since its inception in 2018. Now in its third phase, with the support of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), GPDP continues to assist in finalizing the sector’s regulatory framework, strengthening the capacities of regulators, and providing essential data for policymaking and sectoral planning.