The Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) is tapping the PPP Center's technical assistance fund to determine whether the $2.1-billion, 105-kilometer Batangas-Manila (Batman 1) natural gas pipeline project would fit as a public-private partnership (PPP) project. The PPP Center will undertake a Feasibility study and a potential structuring of the Batman1 project as a PPP.

Zenaida Y. Monsada, director of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau, said that a study on Batman1 could be done by the end of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014. Once the study is completed, PNOC will proceed with the bidding for the first phase of the BatMan1 project, which will involve the construction of a 100-kilometer pipeline.

The Batangas to Manila Natural Gas Pipeline Project (BATMAN 1) involves the construction of natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline facilities from the province of Batangas to transport and supply natural gas to the various industries in the economic zones of Batangas, Laguna and Cavite. The project will effectively reduce the country's dependence on oil.