KAZAN, Russia – Naghahanap ang Pilipinas ng paraan para gawing pormal ang oil arrangement nito sa Russia sa gitna ng global oil volatility at geopolitical tensions, ayon kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Sa panayam sa mga reporter sa Kazan, sinabi ni Marcos na wala pang kontratang nilagdaan ang Pilipinas at Russia, pero may mutual understanding para gawing mas malinaw at institusyonal ang supply chain upang maiwasan ang aberya sa harap ng krisis sa Middle East.
Ayon kay Marcos, nagsimula ang arrangement sa Russia sa “ad hoc” basis. Ibig sabihin, mag-aangkat lamang ng langis mula Moscow kapag kailangan ng Pilipinas.
“In terms of energy, there have been no firm agreements, but merely an understanding that we will continue to develop what we had already started as a response to the oil crisis that was the effect of the war in the Middle East, which we are hoping will come to an end soon,” ani Marcos.
“But, nonetheless, even if the war does come to an end, we, the Philippines, will still continue to look for so-called non-traditional partners in terms of the supply of petroleum products,” dagdag niya.
Ayon sa Pangulo, layunin ng Pilipinas na palawakin ang mga mapagkukunan ng petroleum products, habang itinuturing ang Russia bilang reliable na non-traditional partner.
Ayon kay Marcos, “very open” ang bansa sa pagkuha ng oil supply mula Russia dahil makabubuti sa Pilipinas na magkaroon ng isa pang masisigurong lifeline pagdating sa petroleum products.
Aniya, ang pag-formalize ng oil deal sa Russia ay magbibigay sa Pilipinas ng mas maraming opsyon para siguraduhin ang energy supply.
“This is yet to be decided. There are many complications to that. It is not that simple,” ani Marcos. “There are, of course, political considerations – geopolitical considerations. But when two parties are determined to make it work, I’m always very confident that it will work and we will find a way around those challenges and those complications so that we make it a reality.”
Noong March, dumating sa Pilipinas ang barkong may dalang mahigit 700,000 barrels ng Russian crude oil matapos magdeklara ang bansa ng national energy emergency dahil sa Middle East conflict. /Bistado