Davide submissionHilario Davide, then Philippine ambassador to the United Nations, filed the country’s partial submission with the commission.
The United Nations says the continental shelf is “the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea†up to 370 km (200 nautical miles) from the archipelagic baseline. An extended continental shelf goes farther than 370 km.
The Philippines claims that Benham Rise is an extension of its continental shelf.
Paje said Benham Rise was within the country’s 370-km exclusive economic zone.
American geologistThe environment secretary said an American geologist surnamed Benham discovered the area that was between 40 and 2,000 meters below the waterline in 1933.
“But we are able to define categorically that it is attached to our continental shelf only recently. We have proven (to) Unclos that it is attached. So now the UN is considering it for decision sometime in 2012,†Paje said.
He said gas deposits in the area would enable the country to achieve energy sufficiency.
“Benham Rise is very relevant because of its gas deposits (which has been) confirmed particularly by (the) National Mapping Resource Information Agency. It has given us the data that (the area) contains solid methane. We have not explored it but we have found nodules of methane in the surface and this is very important to us,†he said.
Kalayaan, ScarboroughThe Kalayaan Island Group, which is part of the disputed Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, both located in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and claimed by the Philippines, are also believed to contain oil and natural gas.
Paje said there was the possibility that the country could export gas in the future.
The secretary added that there would be a demand for gas deposits in Benham Rise “because it’s much cleaner than (other) fossil fuels.â€
The DENR formally submitted its proposed P16.99-billion budget for 2012 to the Senate finance committee. --
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