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PROCEEDS from the Malampaya is expected to provide a
boost to the local economy of power-starved Palawan after the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of
the province’s share in the Philippines’ largest natural gas
field.
“With the Malampaya proceeds,
we can now fast-track the medium term development plan and seize
current economic opportunities towards the leapfrogging of the
province to achieve our desired economic goals,” Palawan Gov. Joel
T. Reyes said.
Although most of the country’s
oil and gas reserves, including the Malampaya, are located in
offshore areas near the province, only half of Palawan is energized.
Based on an interim agreement
reached by the national and provincial governments, Palawan stands
to collect P2.6 billion representing its 40 percent share in the
revenues from the Malampaya.
Reyes, however, said that the
agreement with the national government was done without “prejudice
to the case” as both parties “realized” that it will take time
before the Supreme Court decides with finality on the pending
petition for declaratory relief.
From the total, about P960
million has been allocated by for intermodal transport and P590
million for the provincial government’s infrastructure program.
The infrastructure projects
include concrete work of several provincial roads in 10
municipalities both in northern and southern parts of the province.
The other projects are the
installation of solar home systems under the Barangay
Electrification Program in about 4,000 households in 36 barangays in
11 municipalities amounting to P116 million; improvement of South
Palawan Provincial Hospital facilities and equipment; construction
of Northern Palawan Provincial Hospital under the Health Care and
Services Program in the amount of P80 million; construction of more
than 80 classrooms in different municipalities at a cost of P110
million; and an Educational Enhancement Program
worth P150 million.
Also included in the Malampaya-funded
projects are 33 day care centers under the Early Childhood Care and
Development Program for construction in different
municipalities at a cost of P30 million.
The Department of Energy has been
tasked to oversee the implementation of the said projects.
 --Euan
Paulo C. Añonuevo
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