Palawan execs seek release of Malampaya share

Local government officials of Palawan are urging the National Government to release P1.5 billion which represents the province’s initial share from the proceeds of the $4.5-billion Malampaya Gas-to-Power Project.

Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes said the money is the local government’s share for the year 2002.

It had already filed on May 7 a petition for a declaratory relief before a local court to break the impasse between the provincial government and the National Government as to whether the former should be receiving a 40 percent share from the project amounting to a total of $2.1 billion over a 20-year period starting in 2002.

The Malampaya project is the single largest natural gas project in the country today. Its proponets are Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. and Texaco of US which own 45 percent each. Reyes said that while Palawan got its share from the oil exploration project in Malampaya from 1992 to 1996 it, has yet to receive its share from the gas-to-power project.

"According to our records, the province of Palawan should receive this year the share of last year in the amount of P1.5 billion. And the amount escalates every year. And for a 20-year period, the province of Palawan should receive a total of $2.1 billion for a 20-year period starting 2002. The National Government is saying that Malampaya is outside the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Palawan. That is a very irresponsible position because when you say that it is out of our jurisdiction then it is likewise outside of the Philippine territory. It now opens up a problem within the international boundary conflict between China and other claiming countries," said Reyes. Reyes said he is spearheading a mass action protest in Manila next month so that the President will hear the voice of the provincial government of Palawan.

Previously, the Palawan government had earlier said it was considering suing the National Government to settle their claims.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan has passed a resolution calling off negotiations and, instead, hired the services of law firms to pursue their claims.