Chapter 21: Prospect

As they traversed the route back to the opulent Malacañang Palace, Alfonso found himself lost in contemplation, his fingers absentmindedly tapping against the car's windowsill. His thoughts, however, transcended the immediate reality and delved deep into the annals of the original Alfonso's existence.

Upon their arrival at the palace, Alejandro, the loyal chauffeur, promptly disembarked from the vehicle. With a practiced courteousness, he circled around to the passenger side and gallantly opened the door for Alfonso.

Straightening his coat with a composed air, Alfonso emerged from the car, his eyes meeting Alejandro's in an unspoken exchange as the latter adeptly sealed the door behind him.

"Thank you, Alejandro. I believe I'm secure within these walls," Alfonso conveyed, returning the revolver to Alejandro's keeping.

Acknowledging Alejandro's vital role with a simple nod, Alfonso watched as the driver resumed his place in the car's front seat and skillfully guided the vehicle away.

Now ensconced within the sanctum of his office, Alfonso strode purposefully toward his imposing desk. His mere presence prompted the individuals present in the room—prospectors and advisors—to rise respectfully and bow in deference.

"Let us embark on the matters at hand. Today finds my spirits high, and I intend for our discourse to be swift," Alfonso declared, his hand smoothly retrieving a concealed drawing tube nestled beneath his desk. With a fluid motion, he unfurled a world map, stretching it across the expanse of his table.

The assembled group of prospectors turned their collective gaze toward the table, where the world map was unveiled. Distinctive red markings punctuated the map, indicating specific regions of paramount interest.

"I propose that your esteemed team embark upon oil prospecting endeavors in these designated areas," Alfonso intimated, his finger deftly tracing the contours of the Cagayan Basin, Central Luzon Basin, Palawan Basin, Visayan Basin, Sulu Sea Basin, and Agusan-Davao Basin.

Leveraging his comprehensive knowledge from the future, Alfonso proceeded to elaborate on the potential of each basin. He delved into the nuances of the Cagayan Basin, nestled in the northeastern fringes of Luzon, revealing past exploration efforts that had unveiled promising indicators of hydrocarbon deposits. Transitioning to the Palawan Basin, a region noted for its prolific hydrocarbon output, Alfonso underscored its significance, particularly in close proximity to Palawan Island, where substantial oil and gas reserves had been discovered.

Continuing his exposition, Alfonso directed attention to the Central Luzon and Visayan Basins, acknowledging their history of exploration for oil and gas potential, albeit without full-scale commercial production to date. Shifting focus to the Sulu Sea Basin, strategically situated between Mindanao and Palawan, Alfonso highlighted the basin's allure as a prime target for hydrocarbon exploration.

Yet, Alfonso's vision extended further. He extended his proposal to encompass the West Philippine Sea as a prime oil exploration frontier. Anticipating future territorial disputes with China, he emphasized the abundance of untapped oil and natural gas reserves within these waters. Despite prevailing limitations preventing an immediate assertion of sovereignty, Alfonso expounded upon plans for establishing a robust military presence and strategically positioned islands to secure the Philippines' territorial claims over these resource-rich domains.

With an acute awareness of the era's technological capabilities, Alfonso's strategic foresight extended to the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea within their exploration agenda. To spearhead this critical endeavor, a team of experts, specially dispatched from Spain, would oversee these exploratory ventures.

Based on the experts' informed assessments, the endeavor was projected to demand a substantial timeframe—between one to one and a half years—to gather concrete evidence and potentially initiate drilling activities within the West Philippine Sea, alongside other marked basins. Alfonso pledged his steadfast support, cognizant of the transformative potential this undertaking held for the Philippines.

Immersed in these deliberations, the exchange extended for more than an hour, encompassing in-depth discussions and strategic planning. Ultimately, a unanimous decision emerged—a concurrent establishment of exploration teams for the delineated regions. The urgency of the situation propelled a call for immediate action, and Alfonso commanded the expeditious initiation of investigative efforts.

With the weighty deliberations concluded and a decisive course charted, Alfonso eventually retreated to the seclusion of his private quarters, the ongoing commitment to his nation's prosperity echoing in his determined steps.