PH eyes joint exploration deal ‘within the next couple of months’ – DFA exec

Hainan, China — The Philippines is hoping to hammer out a joint exploration agreement “within the next couple of months.”

This was disclosed by Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, who also said that such agreement would be important to the country’s energy security.

“I think the best estimate I have gotten is from [Foreign Affairs] Secretary Alan Cayetano, that we are trying to see if we can achieve an agreement hopefully within the next couple of months,” Sta. Romana told reporters in China.

“But as always, with negotiations, we can never predict if it’s necessary to take a longer time; we will take our time as long as we meet our objectives,” he added.

Sta. Romana also stressed that any agreement has to “withstand public scrutiny” and “be acceptable to the Filipino people.”

“The basic point we are trying to achieve is to be able to find a way to enhance our energy security, to solve our crying need for energy,” he said.                     /kga