The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is working with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to explore the development of self-generating industrial parks (SGIPs) in off-grid areas across the Visayas and Mindanao.
This is to provide cost-effective, sustainable energy solutions to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
PEZA, in collaboration with the PNOC, the National Power Corp. (NPC) and the Department of Energy (DOE), said it supports this effort by establishing economic zones (ecozones) that are self-sufficient in essential utilities like power and water, both of which are critical in manufacturing processes.
The SGIP model, developed by PNOC, is similar to PEZA’s renewable energy park (REP) model, which generates its own energy within the zone.
The SGIP concept promotes ecozones that integrate renewable or alternative energy generation and distribution, emphasizing energy efficiency, low carbon systems, and micro-grids.
Both SGIPs and REPs aim to ensure reliable, affordable power for locator companies engaged in clean and green production.
An important objective of SGIPs is to transform the Philippines’ industrial landscape and attract energy-intensive industries, including agro-processing, semiconductor, and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.
PEZA and PNOC are assessing the government-initiated SGIP in Tawi-Tawi, where full support from local governments, stakeholders and investors has been secured.
PEZA said the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report showed that the richest provinces, mostly in Luzon (except Cebu), host ecozones.
PEZA oversees 427 economic zones nationwide including 300 in Luzon, 85 in Visayas and 42 in Mindanao.