PASAY CITY, Metro Manila — Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), led by Minister Akmad A. Brahim, attended and participated in the 17th meeting of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) held on 8 February 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Minister Brahim was joined by Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab and Director Nasiri B. Abas of the Energy Management and Development Services.

The 17th IGRB meeting was special and historical as it was graced by the presence of no less than the President of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., and the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Ahod B. Ebrahim. It was also attended by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Senator Loren Legarda.

“A stronger BARMM means a stronger Mindanao. A stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines, bringing us closer to achieving our agendas,” President Marcos, Jr. said. “Bagong Pilipinas is incomplete without a Bangsamoro rising along and within it.”

President Marcos, Jr. also highlighted in his message the accomplishments of the Bangsamoro Government and mentioned that in July last year, the National and Bangsamoro Government signed the Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB) Circular on Joint Award of Petroleum Service Contracts and Coal Operating Contracts in BARMM.

“This is one of the many activities that will guarantee an important kind of security for BARMM, and that is energy security,” he added.

Moreover, Chief Minister Ebrahim urged the body to “steer towards our overarching aspirations of an empowered, cohesive, and ever-growing and adaptable Bangsamoro.”

“In alignment of the National Government’s vision for a Bagong Pilipinas, rest assured of our unwavering partnership and commitment. In Sha Allah,” the Chief Minister said.

The IGRB was created under Art. VI, Sec. 2 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) “to coordinate and resolve issues on intergovernmental relations through regular consultation and continuing negotiation in a non-adversarial manner”. It is Co-chaired by Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management and Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education.