Marives, Bataan – The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) welcomed delegates from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) during an official site visit to the PNOC Industrial Park in Mariveles, Bataan on July 2, 2026.

The visit formed part of the broader contact mission for the “Survey on ASEAN Oil Security,” scheduled from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The mission supports Japan’s Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR) Asia) initiative, which seeks to strengthen oil security and energy supply systems in priority partner countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam.

Led by Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino E. Abad, representatives from DOE, JICA , and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) visited the PNOC Industrial Park, where they were oriented by PNOC Senior Vice President for Energy Business Atty. Graciela M. Barleta on the site’s strategic location, existing developments, and potential to support future energy infrastructure projects. The orientation highlighted PIP’s Area 1, the proposed site for the country’s Strategic Petroleum Storage Facility.

The delegation also conducted an ocular inspection of the Park’s Jetty Facility, showcasing its logistical and maritime capabilities and its potential to support petroleum storage, transport, and other energy-related operations.

Among the PNOC representatives who welcomed the delegates are Park Management Department Manager Engr. Carlito B. Pena, Engr. Lailanie Angela A. Ngojo-Estoesta, Engr. Jose Rodolfo Quinto, Engr. James Miranda, and Engr. Richard Miguel Allauigan.

Prior to the visit to the PNOC Industrial Park, the PNOC team accompanied the delegates to the Petron Bataan Refinery in Limay, Bataan. During the visit, the delegation received briefings on refinery operations, environmental compliance facilities, fire protection systems, and oil spill response measures. The mission concluded with a driving tour of the refinery complex, culminating at the Main Control Building, where experts demonstrated how the refinery’s operations are monitored and managed in real time.

The ongoing study aims to support the Philippines in strengthening its oil security through recommendations on legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, emergency drawdown mechanisms, crude oil supply diversification, sustainable operations, and capacity-building initiatives. The findings are expected to contribute to the country’s long-term energy resilience and preparedness against potential supply disruptions.