DAVAO CITY — To strengthen collaboration between the Bangsamoro Government and the National Government on various energy initiatives in the BARMM, the Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB) convened a meeting on July 30, 2024 in Davao City.

During the meeting, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) Akmad A. Brahim highlighted the implementation of the IEB Circular on the Joint Award of Petroleum Service Contract and Coal Operating Contract in the BARMM, and the execution of the Transition Agreement on the Assumption of Power and Function of the Department of Energy (DOE) to the MENRE – Energy Management and Development Services (EMDS).

“The journey has just begun and while we anticipate challenges along the way, we are resolute and undaunted in our combined strengths and endeavors with the National Government, through the DOE, in reaching our objectives of having endurable and dependable power and energy supply for the Bangsamoro Region,” Minister Brahim stated.

Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo of the DOE added, “Our collective mission is clear – to ensure that the Bangsamoro region benefits equitably from the nation’s energy resources and that every community within BARMM has access to reliable and affordable energy. This is essential not only for economic development but also for improving the quality of life for all our people.”

The meeting discussed matters related to upstream conventional energy regulation, power and electrification issues, renewable energy management, and downstream oil and gas industry development, among others.

Aiming for actionable outcomes, the IEB anticipates the collaborative drafting of oil and gas regulations, resolving power industry issues, energy planning, transferring powers from DOE to MENRE, joint promotion of energy resource development, and drafting co-management guidelines for upstream conventional energy.