Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

The autonomous political subdivision of the Philippines for the Bangsamoro people in Muslim Mindanao. BARMM exercises co-jurisdiction over energy resources within its territory through a shared governance arrangement with the National Government under the Bangsamoro Organic Law [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.41-42, 2023].

Entity Profile

FieldDetail
Entity classgovernment (regional)
Legal basisRA 11054 (Bangsamoro Organic Law), signed 26 July 2018
Energy ministryMinistry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE)
National energy counterpartDepartment of Energy (DOE)
Intergovernmental energy bodyIntergovernmental Energy Board (IEB)

Energy Mandate under BOL

The BOL grants BARMM the following energy powers [RA 11054, Art. IV §3, 2018-07-26]:

  • (oo) Power sector investments and (pp) Public utilities’ operations within BARMM
  • (d) Ancestral domain and natural resources — surface and subsurface rights

Article XIII §10 of RA 11054 grants BARMM joint authority with the National Government to award concessions over exploration, development, and utilization of uranium and fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal); DOE and BARMM jointly issue service contracts [RA 11054, Art. XIII §10, 2018-07-26].

Article XIII §36 authorizes BARMM to build power generation and distribution utilities exclusively within BARMM through a Ministry of Energy (currently MENRE), with a 25-year mandatory divestiture. BARMM power plants may access the national grid under EPIRA [RA 11054, Art. XIII §36, 2018-07-26].

Agus Hydropower Complex: Upon privatization, BARMM has preferential rights to acquire the hydroelectric plants within its territory; Lake Lanao water utilization coordinated through the IEB [RA 11054, Art. XIII §36(b), 2018-07-26].

Energy Situation

IndicatorValueAs of
Household electrification rate43.1%December 2023
Fuel storage capacity22.41 MB (0.4% of Mindanao total)2022
Liquid fuel retail outlets19 operating LFROs2022
Target electrification100% by 2028 (NTER)

[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44-45, 2023]

Key Assets

  • Agus I and II — major hydropower plants located within BARMM jurisdiction [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44, 2023]
  • Several RE Service Contracts (hydro, solar, biomass) awarded prior to BOL enactment

Key Milestones

  • October 2020: IEB established [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.42, 2023]
  • 6 July 2023: IEB Circular on Joint Award of PSCs and COCs signed at Malacañang [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44, 2023]
  • 26 February 2024: 1st BARMM Conventional Energy Bid Round launched [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. I, p.44, 2023]