Ambassador Guy Ledoux, head of the European Union Delegation in Manila, is leading the group of 10 EU diplomats on a visit at the Keppel Shipyard here, contractor of the public-private partnership project, operated by Shell Philippines Exploration.
Envoys of Austria, Belgium and Italy, chargés d’ affaires of Germany, Netherlands and Romania, deputy heads of mission of the Czech Republic and Greece and the French commercial counselor joined the high-level visit in the project supported by European investment.
“The scale of this European investment is significant by any measure. Several European companies are involved in this endeavor that promises to secure an important source of revenue for the Philippine people while creating new jobs for well-trained Filipinos in their own country,” said Ledoux in a statement issued during the visit.
European firms have infused some 4 billion Euros (P24 billion) since 2001 in what it considers its flagship investment in the Philippines.
European firms Boskalis and Mammoet are involved in the offshore transport and installation of the second gas platform beside the existing one off Palawan.
The Malampaya gas project, a history energy endeavor for the Philippines, has been supplying 40 to 45 percent of Luzon’s energy needs, reducing the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
The second platform would “ensure that the current level of gas production is maintained,” the EU said.
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