BARMM Energy Policy
The energy governance framework for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), established under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (RA 11054) and implemented through the Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB). The DOE and MENRE jointly manage energy development in the region through a coordinated intergovernmental structure [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.41-46, 2023].
Legal Framework
RA 11054 (Bangsamoro Organic Law / BOL) — signed 26 July 2018; ratified January 21, 2019.
Key energy provisions:
- Art. IV §3(oo): Power sector investments under Bangsamoro Government authority [RA 11054, Art. IV §3, 2018-07-26]
- Art. VI §7: IEB created under the Intergovernmental Relations Body to resolve Art. XIII §36 energy matters [RA 11054, Art. VI §7, 2018-07-26]
- Art. XII §24: Natural resource revenues fully to Bangsamoro Government; fossil fuels/uranium shared 50/50 with National Government [RA 11054, Art. XII §24, 2018-07-26]
- Art. XIII §10: DOE and Bangsamoro Government jointly grant fossil fuel/uranium concessions; joint service contract awards; Bangsamoro residents get preferential rating [RA 11054, Art. XIII §10, 2018-07-26]
- Art. XIII §36: BG may build power generation/DUs through a Ministry of Energy (currently MENRE); 25-year divestiture; EPIRA grid access; Agus Hydropower Complex preferential rights [RA 11054, Art. XIII §36, 2018-07-26]
- Art. XIII §22: Inland waters providing energy to plants outside BARMM (Lake Lanao/Agus) fall under co-management [RA 11054, Art. XIII §22, 2018-07-26]
Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB)
Established October 2020. Leadership [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.42, 2023]:
- Co-Chairperson (National Government): DOE Secretary
- Co-Chairperson (Bangsamoro Government): MENRE Minister
The IEB has eight Technical Working Groups (TWGs) under DO2022-07-0010 and DO2023-05-0013 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.42-43, 2023]:
| TWG | Full Name | Key Mandate |
|---|---|---|
| UCERD-TWG | Upstream Conventional Energy Resource Development | Joint award of petroleum and coal exploration rights |
| PE-TWG | Power and Electrification | Agus-Pulangi hydro, EC management, WESM Mindanao issues |
| EP-TWG | Energy Planning | Energy plan preparation, socioeconomic database |
| REDU-TWG | Renewable Energy Development and Utilization | RE service contracts; RPS, GEAP, GEOP implementation |
| DOG-TWG | Downstream Oil and Gas | RA 8479 implementation |
| EIRP-TWG | Energy Investment Regulations and Processes | Investment promotion, EVOSS Act implementation |
| EEC-TWG | Energy Efficiency and Conservation | EEC Act implementation |
| SSCMI-TWG | Small-scale Coal Mining Resource Development | Joint small-scale coal mining rights |
Electrification Gap
BARMM has the lowest household electrification rate in Mindanao at 43.1% as of December 2023 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44, 2023].
The National Total Electrification Roadmap (NTER) targets 100% household electrification in BARMM by 2028 using strategies including standalone and microgrid systems for remote communities difficult to connect to the main grid [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44-45, 2023]. NEA assists the Bangsamoro Government in improving distribution utility services in the region [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.45, 2023].
Conventional Energy Development
The IEB Circular on Joint Award of Petroleum Service Contracts (PSCs) and Coal Operating Contracts (COCs) was witnessed by the President at Malacañang Palace on 6 July 2023, operationalizing Section 10, Article XIII of RA 11054 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44, 2023].
The 1st BARMM Conventional Energy Bid Round was launched on 26 February 2024 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44, 2023].
Renewable Energy
Several RE Service Contracts (hydro, solar, biomass) were awarded in BARMM prior to the BOL. Agus I and II — two major hydropower plants — are within BARMM jurisdiction. The REDU-TWG handles RE development and implementation of RPS, GEAP, and GEOP in the region [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44, 2023].
Downstream Oil
BARMM storage capacity: 22.41 MB (0.4% of Mindanao total of 5,735.76 MB as of 2022). 19 operating liquid fuel retail outlets (LFROs) [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.45, 2023]. DOE has oriented MENRE on downstream oil policy frameworks (PDNGR, LPP Industry Rules), with joint review and adoption targeting 2025 [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.46, 2023].