by Myrna Velasco – September 20, 2016 from Manila Bulletin Probabilities of shutdown of the Malampaya gas field operations will not only adversely affect the country's power supply, but it can also trigger upticks in electricity rates. The latest threat is being ignited by the new water quality and general effluent standards set for enforcement by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., the operator of the Malampaya gas field, already sounded off that they may not have any other recourse but to cease operations because there is no technology that they can employ in their operations yet that could keep pace with the shift in standards of water quality and waste discharge into bodies of water. For the country's biggest power utility firm Manila Electric Company (Meralco), it cautioned that such move will result in de-rating of the gas plants, hence, extremely tightening power supply that in turn could trigger hikes in power rates.