Philippines Discovers Gas Field After 10-Year Drought

Millions of Filipino families just got hope for more stable electricity after the country announced its first major natural gas discovery in over a decade.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed Monday that energy companies found 2.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas just three miles east of the Malampaya Field near Palawan island. That's enough to power 5.7 million homes for an entire year.

The timing couldn't be better. The Philippines faces some of the highest energy costs in Southeast Asia, and the Malampaya gas field currently supplies 40 percent of power to Luzon, the country's main island. That field is expected to run dry within a few years, threatening millions with more frequent blackouts.

Initial testing shows the new well can produce 60 million cubic feet of gas daily. The discovery also includes condensate, a liquid fuel that can further support the power grid.

For everyday Filipinos, this means real relief might be coming. The country currently relies on imported coal for more than half its electricity and regularly experiences power outages that disrupt homes, businesses, and schools.

The new gas reserve is part of the fourth phase of drilling at Malampaya, with two more wells still being explored. Energy company crews led by billionaire Enrique Razon began drilling last year specifically to find new reserves before the current field depletes.

The Ripple Effect

While the discovery is smaller than massive gas fields in neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia, it represents a crucial step toward energy independence for the Philippines. The country imported nearly half its natural gas in 2024, making it vulnerable to price swings and supply disruptions.

President Marcos signed legislation last year to expand the natural gas industry and increase its share in the country's energy mix. The new discovery gives that policy real momentum and shows the potential for finding even more reserves in the surrounding area.

For a nation that has struggled with electricity stability for years, the find offers something invaluable: proof that solutions exist close to home, and the promise of more affordable, reliable power for millions of families in the years ahead.