The Philippines is considering importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Alaska as the Trump administration sets its sights on reviving its long-delayed USD44 billion gas pipeline project.
Alaska earlier secured President Donald Trump’s backing to develop the Alaska LNG project, which can process and transport up to 20 million tons of LNG annually.
The project aims to connect the gas fields from northern Alaska to a port in the south for liquefaction and export, primarily to the Asian market.
“We plan to procure LNG from Alaska to meet our growing needs to develop our energy sector,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez posted on X Saturday.
“Pres. (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.) hopes to discuss this and other matters of mutual benefit and interest for both our countries when he meets with Pres. Trump at the soonest possible time.”
There is no specific timeline as of yet but the envoy said the two governments are working to set a bilateral meeting between the two leaders within the year.
Romualdez said the Alaskan offer would help the country secure a stable supply of LNG on top of getting it at a competitive price.
“Similar to what Japan that made a commitment, we are prepared to make a commitment to be able to buy some of that LNG. This is being offered to us matagal na (way back) by US Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska),” he told the Philippine News Agency.
“They have an abundant supply, so we might be able to get it very cheap—That’s what we are hearing from them that’s why we are considering it as part of our energy mix,” he added.
On Feb. 20, officials of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC met with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy who said steps are being taken to implement Trump’s “America First” priority of supporting Alaskan LNG exports.
Chargé d’affaires Jaime Ascalon Jr. personally conveyed that Manila is “interested in discussing the prospects of sourcing its LNG requirements from the US through Alaska.”
Dunleavy, in a separate post on Saturday, recognized the “incredible interest in the LNG project from Pacific Rim governments, pipeline builders, and shippers.”
“The world knows that the Alaska LNG project is important to President Donald Trump for economic development, national security, and strengthening friendships with our allies in the Pacific,” he said.
After a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba earlier this month, Trump disclosed that Japan and the US have also discussed a “joint venture” on Alaska oil and gas.
“Japan will soon begin importing historic new shipments of clean American liquefied natural gas in record numbers,” he said.
“We’re talking about the pipeline in Alaska, which is the closest point of major oil and gas to Japan by far, less than half the distance of any other location. We’re talking about a joint venture of some type between Japan and us having to do with Alaska oil and gas. They are very excited, and so are we.” (PNA)