TARGETING to institutionalize the local natural-gas industry, the Department of Energy (DOE) has entered into an agreement with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) for the development of a mechanism for organizing the Philippine Natural Gas Institute.

Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes and PUP president Dr. Dante Guevarra signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that formalized the partnership between the DOE and PUP to engage in activities that will develop the downstream natural-gas industry.

“The partnership will enable PUP to bring into concrete action its role as a major energy stakeholder. Through our cooperation we may be able to attain our goal of establishing the Natural Gas Institute,” said Reyes.

Guevarra said the Philippines has good deposits of natural gas but these have yet to be harnessed.

Guevarra added that the institute will serve to conduct research and policy studies in order to create a policy structure for the proper administration and regulation of the industry.

The MOU signing signaled the opening of the three-day energy fair at the university.

Guevarra further highlighted that the energy fair was the first in the series of activities to be undertaken by PUP in its efforts to help the government in promoting national concern for the country’s gas industry.

The national program for the development of the natural-gas industry is a strategic component of the Philippine Energy Plan of the DOE.

Reyes said it is a “long-term process that requires government agencies, industries and other sectors to build and strengthen competencies and capacities to respond to the technological, structural and industrial challenges in the industry.”

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CANBERRA’S Australian Agency for International Development (Ausaid) has extended a grant of $800,000 (P32 million) for the second phase of a project to totally eradicate foot and mouth disease (FMD) among hogs in the Philippines.

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PALAUIG, Zambales—The government is stepping up effort to turn idle and what used to be unproductive agricultural lands of this town into a major food producer, with the introduction of off-season vegetable production.

CANDELARIA, Zambales—A couple from this sleepy agricultural town is now trailblazing the way to how to become successful agribusinessmen from being “landless” farmers.

Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc., the biggest ceramic tile-manufacturing company in the Philippines, is upbeat that it will have a decisive finish in 2008.

TARGETING to institutionalize the local natural-gas industry, the Department of Energy (DOE) has entered into an agreement with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) for the development of a mechanism for organizing the Philippine Natural Gas Institute.