Domagoso eyes using public funds for natural gas exploration in Liguasan Marsh

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso said Wednesday that if elected, he is ready to put in government funds for the exploration of natural gas resources in Mindanao.

“Being here in Iligan and Mindanao, I can honestly say that Mindanao is the answer to our daily need for fuel and methane and natural gas,” he said in Filipino in a live-streamed interview.

“As we all know, there is a recent development in the Liguasan Marsh which is composed of so (much) natural gas and possible oil.”

The Department of Energy earlier this month awarded a service contract to a Mindanao-based oil firm to explore the Cotabato Basin, which covers the Liguasan Marsh.

The standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko said he would push for the exploration of the marsh, which could partially be funded by collecting the estate tax dues of the heirs of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

“We’ll initially explore the Liguasan Marsh which will help us get initially, methane gas that can produce electricity or can be used in producing enough electricity for the whole country,” Mr. Domagoso said. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan