MANILA: The Senate has given its approval to Senate Bill No. 2793, also known as the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, marking a significant legislative step towards enhancing the country's energy sector. The bill, which is a priority of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), received 14 votes in favor and three against. According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Pia Cayetano, who sponsored the bill, expressed her gratitude to her colleagues for supporting what she termed a 'historic measure.' The legislation aims to promote energy security and sustainable economic growth by aligning with both national and international commitments to cleaner energy. Cayetano emphasized that natural gas is recognized as a transition fuel on the path to renewable energy solutions. Senator Raffy Tulfo underscored the importance of energy independence for national security, drawing lessons from the disruptions observed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Tulfo highlighted that relianc e on imports poses significant risks, and the bill includes incentives to encourage private investment in indigenous natural gas development. This would foster energy independence and help prevent sudden price spikes, making energy more affordable and stable for Filipino households. However, the bill faced opposition from Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who expressed concerns that it might favor indigenous natural gas at the expense of the 'least-cost' principle, potentially leading to reduced competition and higher energy costs for consumers. Hontiveros also criticized the lack of cross-ownership restrictions, which could result in monopolistic practices, and warned that prioritizing natural gas could undermine the potential of renewable energy to reduce costs. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian voiced his reservations about prioritizing indigenous natural gas over conventional energy sources, which he argued could raise electricity prices. He criticized the absence of competitive bidding or price d iscovery mechanisms, suggesting that consumers might face price inflation and foreign exchange risks due to the pricing structure of indigenous gas. In defense of the bill, Senator Cayetano argued that promoting indigenous energy sources would be beneficial for the country, the environment, and consumers. She stressed the importance of energy self-sufficiency, drawing parallels with agricultural self-sufficiency, and assured that the bill includes mechanisms for price transparency and fair access to resources.