Several companies from major regions like Australia, Europe, and North America have shown keen interest in exploring hydrogen opportunities in the Philippines. Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales highlighted the positive response during a recent press briefing, noting the surge in interest following the issuance of bidding notices for hydrogen exploration areas. The Department of Energy opened bid rounds for hydrogen exploration in Zambales province, alongside opportunities for coal, petroleum, and native hydrogen exploration in other regions like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The government's focus on promoting native hydrogen as a transitional fuel aligns with efforts to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the country's energy mix. The history of petroleum exploration in areas like the Cotabato Basin, with several wells showing oil and gas presence, adds to the optimistic outlook for future energy endeavors in the Philippines.