Former soldiers-turned party list lawmakers are proposing that the Malampaya fund be tapped to finance energy – related expenses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) tasked with ensuring the security of critical infrastructures in the Malampaya gas platform and other energy-related projects.
MAGDALO party list Rep. Gary Alejano and Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo filed House Bill 5481 to amend Section 8 of the Presidential Decree No. 910 to allow the financing of energy-related expenses of the military in the use of the special fund.
“One of the basic and most urgent requirements for the peaceful and successful exploration and development of energy resource in the country is safety and security in the area. This is because energy resources are often found in isolated and sometimes contested areas. Hence, security provided by the military is often an indispensable requirement for the successful pursuit of any energy-related project,” Alejano said.
HB 5481 seeks to ensure the continued viability of the country’s energy program by including guidelines for utilization of the special fund to include the financing of energy-related expenses of the AFP, such as but not limited to provisions for operational support, capacity building, acquisition of vessels, machinery and materiel, bases and support system development and technology development for the security and protection of the Malampaya oil and gas fields and other energy projects.
Manila Bulletin
