The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking counter offers to develop a native hydrogen nominated area in southern Zambales after a foreign company nominated the 436,000-hectare Area No. 3 for exploration.
Interested applicants have until Dec. 9, 2025 to submit applications, following the procedures set out in Department Circular 2017-12-0017, the DOE said.
The move comes as the DOE actively promotes the exploration of native hydrogen, recognizing its potential role in the country’s energy transition across power, transportation, commercial and industrial sectors.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently signed two petroleum service contracts (PSC) for native hydrogen exploration in Central Luzon with US firm Koloma Inc.
PSC No. 83 covers 126,645 hectares, while PSC No. 84 covers 85,082 hectares.
These two exploration areas are part of the country’s nine ophiolite belts, which are rock formations rich in magnesium and iron and are frequently linked to native hydrogen deposits. ‘
Other areas identified include Casiguran in Aurora province, Angat in Bulacan, Bicol-Eastern Mindanao, Western Bicol, Palawan, Antique, Zamboanga-Sulu, and Central Mindanao, in addition to Zambales.
