Government pipelines nationall standards on natural gas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy has teamed up with the Department of Trade and Industry to develop national standards on downstream natural gas products, facilities and code of safety practices.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between the two parties to establish closer coordination and collaboration in the development and promulgation of Philippine National Standards (PNS) on natural gas products, facilities, and code of safety practices in the downstream natural gas industry.

The DOE continues to exert all efforts to develop the country’s natural gas industry from its nascency in support of the country’s energy goal, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“I am confident the fruits of this partnership, to be realized by the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau and the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), would better guide our stakeholders on the proper requirements and processes. This would definitely boost investors’ confidence in the regulatory framework of the country,” he said.

The MOA is pursuant to the mandate of the DTI-BPS as the recognized national standards body tasked to develop, implement, and coordinate standardization activities in the country.

On the other hand, the DOE serves as the designated Public Standards Development Organization in charge of developing standards in the DOE and DTI to Develop National Standards on Downstream Natural Gas Products, Facilities, and Code of Safety Practices.

Under the MOA, a technical committee will be created to conduct research and consultation activities to develop acceptable natural gas industry standards.

The committee will be comprised of representatives from the relevant government agencies, the academe, and standards developing organizations; industry players; and manufacturers/suppliers.