Manila: Pending President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s approval of the first service contracts for native hydrogen exploration, the Department of Energy (DOE) has surveyed parts of Zambales and Pangasinan, areas included in the 2024 Philippine Energy Bid Round. The Botolan Hot Spring and Nagsasa Seeps in Zambales and the Mangatarem Hot Spring in Pangasinan were surveyed by a team from the DOE, along with those from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local governments of Zambales and Pangasinan two weeks ago.
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Director Demujin Antiporda of DOE's Energy Resource Development Bureau (ERDB) stated in a briefing that nine areas in the country have been identified for native hydrogen exploration. This initiative is a world first, as the Philippines is the first to have the framework for such activity. The identified areas include the Casiguran Ophiolite belt in Aurora province, Zambales Ophiolite Belt, Angat Ophiolite Belt in Bulacan, Eastern Bicol-Eastern Mindanao Ophiolite Belt, Antique Ophiolite Belt, Western Bicol-Eastern Leyte Ophiolite Belt, Palawan Ophiolite Belt, Zamboanga-Sulu Ophiolite Belt, and Central Mindanao Ophiolite Belt.
Antiporda emphasized that this survey is a crucial initial step in supporting the service contractors by providing baseline geological and environmental data to guide their exploration activities. By identifying surface indicators such as hot springs and ophiolitic rock formations associated with natural hydrogen generation, the DOE aims to reduce exploration risks, streamline technical studies, and ensure alignment with safety and environmental standards.
He further mentioned that these surveys lay the groundwork for focusing efforts and determining approaches in the pursuit of developing clean and sustainable energy sources. This initiative also supports the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute's (PNRI) ongoing study, which identified the Nagsasa seep in San Antonio, Zambales as having the highest annual emission at 800 tons.
In a separate interview, Antiporda revealed that pending approvals have US and Singapore-based players applying for service contracts, with the sub-phase 1 project amounting to approximately USD5.7 million. Although officials have no clear idea of the volume of resources that can be explored from the identified sites, it is proposed that the players be given seven years to explore before drilling if they see large output potential.
Aside from the two surveyed areas, Antiporda noted that there is an ongoing process for two additional sites in Zambales and Leyte.
