The Energy Department officially recommended to the Department of Foreign Affairs the lifting of the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea amid the enhanced relations between China and the Philippines, officials said. Energy Resource Development Bureau director Ismael Ocampo said the recommendation was submitted to the DFA, on the request of PXP Energy Corp. through Forum Energy Ltd. to lift the force majeure imposed on Service Contract 72 or the Recto Bank. “Our main concern is energy security,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said, adding the move was in line with the government’s thrust to explore for more indigenous sources of energy.

Flores, A. M. S. (2019, January 4). Energy recommends lifting of ban on West Philippine Sea exploration. Manila Standard, p. B1.