TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Energy Resource Development Bureau (ERDB), opened the submitted application of the Philippine National Oil Company - Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) for the Nominated Area located in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay under the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP) today (30 October) at the agency’s headquarters.

"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOE is committed to tap potential energy exploration so the country could further attain its energy security and sustainability. We are pursuing to harness all our indigenous energy resources as we continue to usher in economic progress amidst adversities," Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said. 
 
The opening activity of the two Coal Blocks namely 42-I-1 and 42-I-2 is a milestone in the upstream coal development sector as this is the first application under the PCECP pursuant to DOE Department Circular No. DC2017-09-0010 where interested companies can nominate areas for exploration of the country’s coal resources. 
 
The PNOC-EC application for the Nominated Area passed the completeness check of the legal, technical and financial documentation requirements. The Review and Evaluation Committee (REC) Technical Working Group composed of the DOE-ERDB, Legal Services and Financial Services, will conduct further substantive evaluations of the application within 11 working days before endorsing the findings to the Vice-Chair and Chair of the REC.
 
To help in the recovery of our economy which was greatly affected by the pandemic, the DOE has committed to expedite all its power and energy projects, including those being handled by the PCECP.

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