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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Proposed downstream natural gas industry dev't law gets final House nod

Proposed downstream natural gas industry dev't law gets final House nod

Published Aug 3, 2023 01:56 am
The House plenary. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)





The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading the measure allowing a shift of the country’s power generation from the use of coal to natural gas. Garnering 215 affirmative votes during plenary session Wednesday, Aug. 2 was House Bill (HB) No. 8456 or the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act. Another Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) bill, the measure seeks to establish the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry (PDNGI) to promote the role of natural gas as a “safe, environment-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy". “It’s high time that we enforce, implement, and use clean energy to mitigate the effects of climate change. We have to start now to veer away from the conventional but hazardous method of generating power, for the benefit of our future generation,” Speaker Martin Romualdez, leader of the 312-member House of Representatives, said. The piece of legislation also provides regulatory policies and promotes the conversion of existing equipment and facilities from using fossil fuel to natural gas. It also compels the Department of Energy (DOE) to supervise and monitor the development of the PDNGI, as well as the regulation of the construction and operation of natural gas pipelines and related facilities for the transmission, distribution, and supply of natural gas. The measure was approved by the House on second reading on May 30, before the Congress break. Some of the authors of the bill are Reps. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Rodante Marcoleta, Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Joey Salceda, Wilter Palma, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Harris Christopher Ongchuan, Maria Carmen Zamora, Shernee Tan-Tambut, Noel Rivera, Jonathan Keith Flores, and Ralph Recto. Environmental risks from the usage of coal in power plants include a substantial contribution to acid rain, smog, and haze that result in respiratory illnesses and lung disease among young and old people alike. About 65 percent of the country’s power needs are derived from coal. Lawmakers have long been pushing for the approval of such a bill for purposes of accelerating investments, where domestic incentives can entice foreign investors, or LNG players, to come in.

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downstream natural gas industry House of Representatives LEDAC natural gas third and final reading
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