The Department of Energy (DoE) is thinking of using funds from the Malampaya gas facility to buy research vessels to explore possible oil resources in Philippine waters, an official said on Wednesday. “Procuring that kind of ship is being seriously studied and considered,” Energy Assistant Secretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said. “The Malampaya funds [are] being considered right now, as…marine scientific research is a hot” topic, he added. “We also thought: Why not [use such ships in the] oil industry,” Erguiza said. According to the official, purchasing ships for marine research is wise, given the country’s vast seas.

Lagare, J. B. (2018, March 22). DoE eyes vessels for oil exploration. The Manila Times, p. B2.