BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi — The Energy Management and Development Services (EMDS) of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) conducted its Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign for the Downstream Oil and Gas Industry stakeholders in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on July 17, 2024.

Regulation of the Downstream Oil and Gas Industry in the Bangsamoro region was formally devolved to the Bangsamoro Government by virtue of the Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Policies and regulations governing the retail of liquid petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas have been in placed long before the Bangsamoro Government was established. These were duly implemented by the National Government through the Department of Energy (DOE). These policies and regulations were formally adopted by the MENRE through Memorandum Circular No. 2 and No. 5, respectively known as adoption of “Revised Retail Rules and Regulations Governing the Business of Retailing Liquid Fuels” and “LPG Industry Regulation Act”.

An IEC campaign on the prevailing rules and regulations is vital in order to address the continuing need to curb unsafe and unlawful practices in the industry. This campaign aims to ensure compliance of stakeholders by raising awareness, educating and communicating key policies regarding the industry’s operations and regulations. The role of the Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in regulating businesses related to retailing petroleum products was also emphasized.

This information drive was hosted by the Provincial Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Office (PENREO) of Tawi-Tawi under the leadership of PENREO Dr. Jonel Mohammad I. Monel, together with his two CENREOs Saido U. Espiliro and Abdulmukim J. Maruji.

CENRO Espiliro gave his opening remarks on behalf of PENREO Monel highlighting the importance of this IEC. Representatives from LGU and BFP Bongao were present in this activity. Edwin J. Madjilon, a representative from the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) of the Local Government of Bongao, presented the process of acquiring business permit; FO3 Jerry A. Nasilin together with FO3 Nursiba A. Jaalain, discussed the fire safety requirements in securing Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC).

Moreover, representatives from the DOE-Mindanao Field Office, Engr. Theodric Alingalan, Division Chief of Energy Industry Management Division and Engr. Daniel S. Malvizo, SRS II served as the resource speakers to elaborate the policies and regulations adopted and being implemented in the Bangsamoro region. Engr. Malvizo discussed the mandatory requirements in the business of retailing liquid fuel and penalties in violation thereof as stipulated in the DOE Department Circular 2017-11-0011. Engr. Alingalan discussed the mandatory requirements and certain prohibited acts in the LPG Industry provided in the RA 11592.

Further, several issues including the participation of PNP-CIDG in the enforcement of the law related to business of retailing liquid fuels and liquefied petroleum gas were also addressed during the open forum of this activity.