On 13 August 2024, the Gas Policy Development Project 3 (GPDP3) conducted an Orientation Summit, gathering 29 locator firms from the special economic zones (SEZ) in Batangas. This event, aimed at supporting the project’s research study titled “Natural Gas Demand and Techno-Economic Feasibility of Power Plants and Boilers in Batangas Ecozones,” sought to provide an overview of the project, the research study, and the survey instrument to the locators.

Dr. Karl Jandoc, GPDP team’s lead researcher, emphasized to the locators the critical role their participation will play in the upcoming survey for the study. The session also provided an opportunity for the locators to raise any questions or concerns regarding their involvement in the study.

Apart from the GPDP presentation, the summit featured a presentation by Engr. Don Honor Jacob, Supervising Science Research Specialist from the DOE Natural Gas Management Division, providing insights into the current status of the downstream natural gas sector in the Philippines.

The GPDP 3 Research Team, consisting of experts in both economics and engineering,  aims to determine the actual volume of LNG demand of the SEZ locators and list the existing non-natural-gas-powered facilities for potential conversion to natural gas use. The research findings are envisioned to help shape future energy policies and strategies to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the SEZs.

SEZs were identified as ideal candidates for adopting liquefied natural gas (LNG) due to their high energy demand. Batangas SEZ locators, in particular, are well-positioned to be the first adopters of LNG as an energy source given their proximity to the LNG terminals. 

This GPDP research study is being conducted in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).