The Malampaya East-1 natural gas discovery is expected to boost the Philippines’ energy security, potentially extending the life of the country’s most important domestic gas source and reducing dependence on imported fuel, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Monday.

A newly confirmed natural gas discovery in Malampaya East-1 is expected to boost the Philippines’ energy security, potentially extending the life of the country’s most important domestic gas source and reducing dependence on imported fuel, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Monday.

According to the President, exploration activities in Malampaya East-1 have led to the discovery of an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas, a development that could significantly support the nation’s power generation needs. The volume of gas discovered is projected to produce up to 14 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to supply power to millions of households, thousands of commercial establishments, and public institutions such as schools for at least a year.

Marcos said the discovery underscores the importance of continued investment in domestic energy exploration as the country works to stabilize electricity supply and manage rising power costs. Malampaya, located offshore Palawan, has long been a critical source of fuel for several power plants in Luzon, providing a cleaner alternative to coal and imported liquefied natural gas.

Energy officials noted that the newly identified gas reserve could help address concerns over the eventual depletion of the original Malampaya gas field. While Malampaya has been supplying natural gas to the country for over two decades, output from the main field has been gradually declining, prompting the government and private sector to intensify exploration in nearby areas.

The President emphasized that discoveries like Malampaya East-1 are vital in ensuring energy reliability, especially as electricity demand continues to rise due to economic growth, urbanization, and increased use of digital technologies. He added that strengthening domestic energy production aligns with the administration’s broader goals of energy independence, affordability, and sustainability.

Industry experts say that while further technical studies and development plans are still needed, the discovery is a positive signal for investors and could encourage additional exploration activities in Philippine waters. If developed efficiently, the new gas reserve may help cushion consumers from volatile global fuel prices and reduce exposure to supply disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions.

Environmental and energy analysts also pointed out that natural gas, while still a fossil fuel, emits less carbon compared to coal and oil, making it a transitional energy source as the country expands its renewable energy capacity. The government has repeatedly stated that natural gas will play a key role in the country’s energy mix while solar, wind, and other renewable sources are scaled up.

For communities and industries that rely on stable electricity supply, the Malampaya East-1 discovery brings renewed optimism. Officials said the government will continue to coordinate with energy stakeholders to ensure that the resource is developed responsibly, transparently, and in a manner that benefits Filipino consumers.

As the Philippines faces growing energy challenges, the latest development in Malampaya highlights how domestic resources can help power the nation forward while supporting long-term economic resilience.