DOE, PNOC Advance Talks with Japan on Stockpiling Cooperation

June 19, 2026

TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — Driven by a shared commitment to regional energy security, officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) convened with a Japanese delegation for the Oil Stockpiling Cooperation Dialogue on June 11, 2026, at the PNOC Networking Hall in Taguig City.

DOE Secretary Sharon S. Garin welcomed delegates from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), who participated in the high-level consultative session focused on exploring operational frameworks for a strategic petroleum reserve program.

In their opening remarks, DOE Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales and METI Director-General for International Policy on Carbon Neutrality Shinichi Kihara underscored the importance of technical cooperation and knowledge-sharing in strengthening the region’s preparedness against potential global supply disruptions.

During the dialogue, participants exchanged technical insights on government-controlled oil inventories and shared best practices in managing strategic petroleum reserves to enhance fuel supply resilience. Discussions also covered engineering considerations, risk management approaches, and site selection criteria relevant to the development of national oil stockpiling infrastructure while safeguarding stability in the domestic market.

Following the plenary session, representatives from both sides held working-level discussions and agreed to continue regular consultations as feasibility assessments for the proposed infrastructure progress.

The Philippine delegation included DOE Assistant Secretary Atty. Maria Lethel C. Alburo-Mejia, DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad, PNOC Senior Vice President for Energy Business Atty. Graciela M. Barleta, and PNOC Senior Vice President for Energy Investments Ma. Rowena C. Raymundo.

The dialogue builds on the strategic oil stockpiling and regional energy security partnership previously announced by the DOE earlier this month. The initiative traces its origins to the State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Japan on May 28, 2026, during which cooperation was established under the Partnership for Wider Energy and Resources Resilience in Asia (POWER Asia) framework.

By advancing technical discussions and strengthening institutional collaboration, PNOC and its partners continue to lay the groundwork for a strategic petroleum reserve program that will support the country’s long-term energy security objectives and enhance resilience against future supply disruptions.