COTABATO CITY — Local Government Units and stakeholders in the Downstream Oil and Gas Industry in the province of Maguindanao, BARMM participated in an Energy Consultation conducted by the Energy Management and Development Services (EMDS) of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM with the aim to raise their awareness on the rules and regulations governing the business of retailing liquid fuels in the Bangsamoro region.

The activity, titled Energy Consultation on Energy Regulation of the Downstream Oil and Gas Industry within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, gathered representatives from over 20 Municipal LGUs in Maguindanao on the first day, July 13, and gasoline station owners/managers and LPG retailers on the second day, July 14.

Department of Energy – Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO) Chief Engr. Theodric R. Alingalan provided technical assistance during the consultation on the concerned subject as representatives from the LGU of Cotabato City and Bureau of Fire and Protection – BARMM shared the process of applying for a gasoline station business permit and related safety measures, respectively. Additionally, the Provincial ENRE Office of Maguindanao expressed their commitment to implement the existing regulations in their jurisdiction, while the MENRE-Environment Management Services (EMS) lectured on the necessity of the stakeholders’ environmental compliance.

The covered rules and regulations governing the business of retailing liquid fuels in the BARMM are stipulated in BARMM-MENRE Memorandum Circular No. 2, dated 30 June 2021, adopting the DOE Department Circular (DC) No. 2017-11-0011, aka ‘Revised Retail Rules’; DC No. 2000-06-010, aka ‘Revised Schedule of Penalties in the LPG Industry of 2000’; DC No. 2013-09-0022 regarding the transportation and distribution of LPG in cylinders; and DC No. 2014-1-0001, aka the ‘LPG Retail Rules’ in the regulation of the Downstream Oil Industry within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

After the Energy Consultation with key stakeholders in the province of Maguindanao, the EMDS, headed by Director Nasiri B. Abas, looks forward to conducting the same in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, and aims to encourage the continued involvement of the municipal LGUs in advocating policies that will empower their participation in energy-related matters in the Bangsamoro, especially in this time when the first Bangsamoro Energy Plan is currently in development.