The 24-million hectare Benham Rise undersea plateau east of Luzon has potential methane hydrates that could be a possible source of energy for the Philippines.
This was revealed yesterday by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate economic affairs committee, as he conducts this morning for a hearing on a proposal by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara to create a Benham Rise Development Authority (BRDA). It will be the committee’s second hearing since three weeks ago.
Gatchalian said the Philippines has at present explorations and research partnerships with different countries.
The undersea level of Benham Rise goes deeper as the continental shelf is measured eastward into the Pacific Ocean.
“In fact, marami ang gusto makipag-partner sa atin para ma explore at painamin ang research diyan sa Benham Rise sa nakitang methane hydrates,’’ she said.
Gatchalian had said creation of the BRDA would show to the world, including China, that Philippine activity and governance exist in the area.
If these activities are not done at Benham Rise, China might be tempted to come in unmolested like what it had done in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where China reclaimed parts of the Spratly island chain and built air and naval bases in the reclaimed land.
Some quarters had questioned the sudden presence of a Chinese vessel in the Benham Rise area and President Duterte’s announcement that he was not averse to China building observation structures at Scarborough Shoal (Panatag island).
Gatchalian said he had invited the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to give clarity and enforce Philppine sovereignty over the Benham Rise.
Because of alleged Chinese incursions in the area, Gatchalian said he also invited the Department of National Defense (DND) so that the DND could be given representation in the proposed BRDA.
“Ang mahalaga din dito ay yung makukuha natin ang long-term strategy whether it is defense or in other aspects,’’ he stressed. (MARIO CASAYURAN)
