TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) formalized a cooperation framework through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to facilitate the acquisition of tenurial instruments over auxiliary areas of offshore wind (OSW) energy projects.
The MOA was signed by DOE Secretary Sharon S. Garin and PNOC President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Franz Josef George E. Alvarez on August 26, 2026, at the DOE Office of the Secretary Conference Room in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Under the agreement, PNOC, will serve as the DOE’s designated attached agency responsible for facilitating the acquisition and administration of vital tenurial rights from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for auxiliary areas of offshore wind projects.
Once secured, PNOC will execute Project-Specific Use Agreements with the concerned OSW developers, providing access to auxiliary areas consisting of foreshore and onshore areas of the public domain required to establish the necessary infrastructure connecting offshore wind projects to the grid.
PNOC PCEO Franz Josef George E. Alvarez underscored the importance of the Company’s role in supporting the initiative and advancing the development of the country’s offshore wind sector. In his message, he emphasized PNOC’s commitment to close coordination with key stakeholders, stating, “We will work closely with the DOE, DENR, and OSW developers to help move these projects forward and realize the country’s offshore wind potential.”
In her key message, Secretary Garin expressed her appreciation to PNOC for its partnership, noting that the arrangement addresses a key challenge faced by a great majority of OSW developers that are foreign-owned and thus, cannot directly acquire certain tenurial rights over public lands.
Secretary Garin described the partnership as a significant milestone toward the development of the country’s first offshore wind project under the Green Energy Auction Program. Recognizing that OSW development is a relatively new undertaking for the Philippine energy sector, she emphasized that its successful implementation will require sustained collaboration, commitment, and hard work among government agencies and industry stakeholders.
“Through this MOA and the milestones that will arise, together we are building an infrastructure for a stronger, more resilient Philippines, powered by the wind at our shores and guided by the vision we share for our people,” Secretary Garin said.
The initiative supports the government’s continuing efforts to accelerate OSW development and advance a whole-of-government approach to streamlining the issuance of permits, licenses, and clearances for renewable energy projects, consistent with Executive Order No. 21, series of 2023.
Also present during the signing were DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra, DOE Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo, and other DOE directors and members of the technical team.
Representing PNOC were Senior Vice President for Energy Business Atty. Graciela M. Barleta; Senior Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services Atty. Josephine Cassandra J. Cui; Business Research and Development Department Manager Atty. Efren A. Legaspi; Engr. Armando Y. Perez, Jr. and Ms. Sharina Mariz L. Walde.
