WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7638, otherwise known as the "Department of Energy (DOE) Act of 1992," as amended, declares it the policy of the State, among others, to ensure a continuous, adequate, and economic supply of energy with the end in view of ultimately achieving self-reliance in the country's energy requirements through the integrated and intensive exploration, production, management, and development of the country's indigenous energy sources;