Naniniwala ang Department of Energy (DOE) na proposed joint oil and gas exploration sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China sa West Philippines Sea (WPS) ay maaari pa ring umusad.
Ayon kay Energy Spokesperson Felix William Fuentebella, nagpapatuloy pa rin ang pag-uusap ng dalawang bansa hinggil sa joint exploration.
Pero iginiit ni Fuentebella na ang gagawing exploration ay dapat naaayon sa mga probisyon ng 1987 Constitution.
“And because of that, there is a need to further explore what kind of treaty or what kind of treaty or what kind of agreement we can come up with. However, if we follow the Philippine Constitution, we can apply the current 60-40 arrangement that we also apply to the other nations or to the other private contractors whether Filipino or foreign,” sabi ni Fuentebella.
“So that is the limitation and those are the challenges. But if we can move forward? Yes, but we have to follow our Constitution. That is our perspective from the Philippine government,” anang DOE official.
Lagpas isang taon na mula nang bawiin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang moratorium para sa oil and gas exploration sa WPS.
Nabatid na nagkasundo ang bansa sa 60-40 na hatian sa resources, pabor sa Pilipinas.
