1978-1986

1972

Promulgated Presidential Decree (PD) 87 or the Oil Exploration and Development Act which changed the system for oil exploration from the antiquated Concession System to the Service Contract.

1973

Created the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) through PD 334 and mandated it to provide and maintain adequate and stable supply of oil. PNOC's scope of operation was later expanded through PD 938 to promote the exploration and development of oil and other indigenous energy resources.

1976

A consortium of foreign and local firms struck the first oil discovery in offshore Palawan.

PD 972 or the Coal Development Act of 1976 established a coal development program to effectively explore and exploit coal reserves.

1977

Commissioned the three megawatt (MW) geothermal pilot plant in Tongonan, Leyte, signaling the start of commercial use of geothermal energy for electric power in the country.

PD 1206 created the Ministry of Energy to rationalize and integrate energy policies and program implementation.

1978

PD 1442 or the Geothermal Service Contract Law established the Service Contract system for geothermal exploration and development.

1979

Started the commercial production of the country's first oil field, the Nido, at the rate of 40,000 barrels per day.

Started the first large-scale utilization of geothermal steam for power generation with the operation of the National Power Corporation's (NPC) geothermal power plants in Tiwi and Makiling-Banahaw.

1980

Launched the Energy Conservation Movement through the issuance of Batas Pambansa (BP) 73.

1981

Operated the 55-MW Cebu coal-fired power plant, the first large-scale power generation from domestic coal.

Started the commercial production of the country's second oil field in offshore Palawa, the Cadlao.

1983

Commissioned the Tongonon and Palinpinon geothermal power plants, products of the joint efforts of all-Filipino staff of PNOC and NPC