WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7638, otherwise known as "Department of Energy Act of 1992" declares the policy of the State to "ensure a continuous, adequate and economic supply of energy with the end in view of ultimately achieving self-reliance in the country's energy requirements through the integrated and intensive exploration, production, management, and development of the country's indigenous resources, and through the judicious conservation, renewal and efficient utilization of energy to keep pace with the country's growth and economic development and taking into consideration the active participation of the private sector in the various areas of energy resource development;