MANILA, Philippines - The centennial celebration of Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) this year holds special meaning in the province of Palawan, being the site of one of its most important and seminal projects — the technologically innovative Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project, which Shell operates on behalf of its joint venture partners.
With its centennial campaign dubbed "Isang Daan Tungo sa Kinabukasan (One Road Towards the Future),” the energy and gas technology leader participated in Palawan’s annual Baragatan Festival, which commemorates the founding of the local civil government.
From the Cuyuno word "bagat," baragatan means the convergence of people, made festive by the sharing of unique songs, dances and music from the colorful diversity of municipalities that make up the province of Palawan.
These are showcased in various cultural presentations, trade shows, exhibitions, float parade and street dancing that lasts for the whole month of June.
“Participating in the colorful Baragatan Festival is part of our reaching out and expressing gratitude to the whole country for helping Shell reach 100 years of sustainable business in the Philippines and for Filipinos,” stated Bobby Kanapi, Pilipinas Shell vice president for communications.
Palawan is the nearest province to the Malampaya offshore gas platform, and is one among several provinces that the 504-km long underwater pipeline traverses to deliver natural gas to the Batangas Onshore Gas Plant for gas production and electricity generation.
The Malampaya Gas Project powers 25 to 30 percent of the Philippines’ electricity needs with cleaner-burning natural gas. More than supporting energy security, the project also contributes billions in government revenue share, provides thousands of jobs and enhances Filipino capability to become at par with international oil and gas industry standards.
Palawan is also a showcase of various social investment programs of Shell, implemented under its social arm, the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. These initiatives include the internationally recognized Movement Against Malaria (MAM), Tribal Education and Livelihood Program (TELP), support to Tubbataha Natural Reef Park, Sanayan sa Kakayahang Agrikultura (SAKA) and Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL), among many others, which has altogether benefitted thousands of Filipinos in the region.
Moving forward from its 100th year anniversary in the Philippines, Shell is continuously embarking on significant investments across the Upstream, Downstream and Shared Services industries in the country with the goal of becoming the most innovative and responsible energy company that significantly contributes to nation-building.