The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has formalized a partnership with the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) to accelerate energy efficiency (EE) investments across economic zones, targeting faster deployment of technologies and financing among registered locators.

The agreement, signed on March 11, establishes a framework for joint activities aimed at enabling EE adoption in ecozones, where firms are classified as designated establishments under Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga and PE2 President Alexander Ablaza led the signing, with senior officials from both organizations present. The initiative builds on initial engagements between the two groups in October last year.

Under the memorandum, PEZA and PE2 will collaborate on information campaigns, technical support, and capacity-building programs to help locators identify and implement EE projects. The partnership also aims to bridge gaps between project developers, technology providers, and financing institutions—an issue that has historically slowed EE uptake in the country.

“This partnership strengthens our efforts to transform our ecozones into smart and sustainable hubs while aligning with our sustainability reporting framework. By integrating ESG standards, we further reinforce our commitment to responsible growth and transparent environmental, social, and governance practices,” Panga said.

Ablaza underscored the urgency of scaling EE deployment, particularly in industrial and commercial clusters such as ecozones.

“PE2 is very much pleased by how PEZA has for a very long time now been a catalytic enabler of energy efficiency among its ecozones. The MOU we forge today emphasizes how both partners see the urgency of scaling up the deployment of energy efficiency technologies, knowhow and financing to more ecozone locators and developers. Both PE2 and PEZA share the MOU objective of connecting both the supply- and demand-sides of the energy efficiency market so that energy efficiency projects are implemented sooner and with scale,” he said.

Planned activities include roadshows, exhibitions, and forums within ecozones to promote EE solutions and best practices. PE2 is also expected to support training programs for PEZA personnel and locators covering energy management systems, audits, and project development.

The two organizations are further exploring joint advocacy efforts on EE and energy service company (ESCO) guidelines, as well as the development of communication materials to improve awareness and compliance.

What do you think? Will this PEZA–PE2 collaboration materially accelerate EE project uptake in ecozones, or will financing and execution bottlenecks remain the key constraint?

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