On April 6, the Department of Energy (DoE) issued a directive to gas firm PXP Energy Inc. to immediately suspend its exploration activities in two areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) northwest of Palawan, pending the issuance of a clearance by the security, justice and peace coordinating cluster (SJPCC) of the Cabinet. While the extra review of the gas exploration activities is understandable due to the possible implications to political, diplomatic and national security concerns, the sloppy manner in which the situation has been handled is unjust to the businesses involved, sends the wrong message to potential investors, and might even aggravate the diplomatic and national security issues of the WPS. The two areas in question are designated Service Contract 72 and SC 75, and are believed to hold significant reserves of natural gas and oil. PXP Energy and its subsidiary Forum Energy began exploratory work in the areas as far back as 2012, but were forced to suspend work in 2014 and 2015 due to a government-imposed moratorium stemming from the ongoing tensions with China over the WPS.

Sloppy handling of WPS exploration sends wrong message. (2022, April 21). The Manila Times, p. A4.