TAGUIG CITY — Minister Akmad A. Brahim of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM meets Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla during the Minister’s courtesy visit to the Secretary last 28 September 2022 at the DOE Central Office in Taguig City.

Minister Brahim and Secterery Lotilla co-chair the Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB) of the Bangsamoro and National Government. The IEB is the advisory body primarily tasked with recommending policies to both governments and monitoring of the implementation of energy policies and regulations. Through the IEB, the two parties coordinate and resolve issues on intergovernmental relations concerning energy.

“MENRE is thankful for the fruitful collaboration between National Government and Bangsamoro Government in the energy sector through the Intergovernmental Energy Board,” said Minister Brahim.

He added that the BARMM and MENRE carry the responsibility in solving the great problems of the energy sector of BARMM. The duties attached in this responsibility include providing effective and efficient electric power services to BARMM constituents, addressing the huge debt of BARMM Electric Cooperatives, and sustainably maximizing the utilization of the region’s natural and energy resources.

“We want the BARMM to succeed. In the end, your success is the nation’s success. Be assured that the initiatives that have been started by the recent administration will be continued in this administration,” Secretary Lotilla said.

With Minister Brahim were Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority Director General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali, MENRE Energy Management and Development Services Director Nasiri B. Abas, and BPDA and MENRE key officials for the energy sector.

“One of the urgent issues that we want to find is in the issue of power and electrification in the BARMM area,” shared DG Ali. He also said that they have already engaged with the general managers of BARMM ECs to find possible solutions and ways forward.

While MENRE hopes that “this meeting will be

the stepping stone in solving the problems of the Bangsamoro,” DOE assured that “this administration led by the President is committed to provide you with all the support you can get.”

Joining virtually were representatives from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM).