The Department of Energy (DoE) is thinking of using funds from the Malampaya gas facility to buy research vessels to explore possible oil resources in Philippine waters, an official said on Wednesday. “The Malampaya funds [are]being considered right now, as…marine scientific research is a hot” topic, he added. Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed willingness to use taxpayers’ money on maritime survey vessels. [The plan to buy ships is] now very solid,” he added. According to him, the government may not even use the Malampaya funds to buy the vessels.

Source: Manila Times March 21, 2018 16:52 UTC