TAGUIG CITY - In pursuit of bringing genuine autonomy to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Inter-Governmental Energy Board (IEB) held its second virtual meeting on 30 March 2021.

The IEB is one of the inter-governmental relations bodies created pursuant to Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law. It is co-chaired by Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and the Bangsamoro Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) Abdulraof A. Macacua.

In its first virtual meeting in September last year, the DOE presented the Bangsamoro Energy Profile to appraise its BARMM counterparts of the current energy situation in the region. Additionally, the Terms of Reference (TORs) of the IEB and the Joint Secretariat were discussed in order to define the relation of the parties and the rules on how the IEB will conduct its business.

"We commend the approval of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the IEB Joint Secretariat. This accomplishment ensures the effective and efficient facilitation of meetings, discussions, and administrative requirements relative to the mandated tasks of the IEB," Secretary Cusi said in his statement delivered by Energy Undersecretary and Spokesperson Felix William B. Fuentebella. 

Usec. Fuentebella informed the IEB that Secretary Cusi is optimistic of the approval of the second TOR, pertaining to that of the IEB, to enable the IEB to conduct more in-depth discussions and resolutions of energy issues submitted for its action and consideration.
 
For his part, IEB Co-Chair Minister Macacua from the Bangsamoro Government expressed their gratitude, on behalf of their Honorable Chief Minister of the BARMM Ahod B. Ebrahim, for the continuing support extended to them by this administration.  He  emphasized that the BARMM’s strong commitment for peace since the very beginning has not waivered, as demonstrated by the open and democratic discussions on matters brought before the IEB.
 
To provide updates on the issues presented during the previous meeting, the IEB Joint Secretariat reported the results of its previous meetings. The Technical Working Group (TWG) Heads from both the NG and the BG likewise reported on the initiatives undertaken by their respective groups. 

Director Mario C. Marasigan, representing Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola as Chair for the National Government and Minister Edward Guerra as Chair for the Bangsamoro Government, provided updates on the TWG for the electricity matters which includes the Privatization of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex (TWG-APHC). Dir. Marasigan likewise presented the proposal of the TWG relative to Article II, Section 2(f) of the IEB-TOR, the only remaining unresolved item of the IEB TOR. In response to the proposal, BG Joint Secretariat asked for time to discuss the proposal and commits to submit their comments on or before April 9, 2021.
 
For the initiatives relative to the exploration of fossil fuels and uranium in the Bangsamoro Region, Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III of the National Government and Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the Bangsamoro Government shared updates for the Technical Working Group on the Joint Exploration, Development, and Utilization (TWG-JEDU). Assistant Secretary Pulido said that the National Government side has already convened the JEDU-TWG and is awaiting the BG’s response to convene the joint meeting.  In response, Minister Sinarimbo said that they are still working on the appointments of officials in the MENRE as well as in the MILG. Once completed, they will immediately reach their counterparts in the National Government and commence necessary work of the TWG.
 
Undersecretary Fuentebella assured the BG that the NG is very happy to accommodate them if they need any further assistance. Moreover, he reminded the body of the great potential for energy development in the BARMM area and emphasized the need to accomplish the tasks with dispatch. 
 
The IEB also discussed pressing energy matters in the BARMM referred by the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) to the IEB, such as (1) concerns on Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO); (2) the application status of the Esmaulana Global Ventures Co., Inc. (EMGVCI) for three bid areas located in the Sulu Sea and Cotabato Basins under the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP); (3) BARMM engagement with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI); and (4) the audit of mine operations in the BARMM by the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC). 

The Co-Chairs agreed that a high-level discussion is necessary regarding the financial and operational status of the electric cooperatives operating the BARMM.
 
On the concerns of EMGVI, Assistant Secretary Pulido comprehensively discussed the status of the latter’s application with the DOE for a service contract. However, Assistant Secretary Pulido said that a more exhaustive discussion on the same will be conducted once the TWG-JEDU has finally convened.
 
The meeting was attended by the designated members of the National Government from the DOE, Department of environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Power Asset and Liabilities Management (PSALM), Transmission Company (TRANSCO), National Electrification Administration (NEA), and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).  

Meanwhile, the BG counterparts were comprised of the designated focal persons from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), Ministry of Public Works (MPW), Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT), and, Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA).

The meeting adjourned with the Board reiterating their strong commitment towards the achievement of the mandates of the BOL. The NG and the BG pledged to work closely for the attainment of the goals envisioned for the BARMM.

The BARMM is comprised of Basilan (except Isabel City), Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

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