Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

House Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Jude Acidre has joined the chorus of congressman who are urging the Senate to finally pass the bill establishing the state policy for the full development of the Philippine natural gas industry.
 
Acidre said the House has already passed on third and final reading the proposed Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry (PDNGI) Development Act, a legislative priority of the Marcos administration. 

"With humility, I urge our fellow lawmakers in the Senate to prioritize the deliberation on Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act," Acidre said in a statement Wednesday, May 8. 

"While this is not a silver bullet that will address all the problems in the energy sector, I am certain that it will alleviate the conditions of our energy supply,” he said.
 
“More importantly, its inclusion as one of the LEDAC priorities of this administration needs no further explanation or plea for its immediate passage,” Acidre said, referring to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
 
“This proposed law is one of the important policies under Bagong Pilipinas,” he noted.
 
Acidre is one of the principal authors of the measure’s version in the lower chamber, HB No.8456. House members passed the bill on third reading on Aug. 3, 2023 via 215-3 (yes-no) vote.
 
It seeks to establish the PDNGI, which will promote indigenous natural gas as a “safe, environment-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy". 

Its counterpart bill in the Senate, SB No.2247, is now being reviewed by a technical working group (TWG). The measure was authored by Senator Raffy Tulfo. 

Acidre says he is one with House colleagues and other energy stakeholders in appealing to the Senate to act on the counterpart bill, which has been pending in Tulfo’s committee since last year.
 
Acidre cited expert discussions in COP 28 held in Dubai “that natural gas is an important energy source that needs to be harnessed to reach energy independence".
 
“Developing the natural gas industry can help the Philippines become more self-reliant in meeting its energy needs. By tapping into domestic natural gas resources and building a robust industry around it, the country can reduce its dependence on imported energy sources," he said. 

Acidre reckoned that the country needs to have a  PDNGI in place to sustain stability in electricity supply. 

"Considering the energy crisis that repeatedly comes to fore every summertime, the development of the downstream natural gas industry can help enhance the country's energy security by diversifying its energy sources," Acidre said.