The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to conduct a public consultation for the creation of an Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB) in relation to petroleum service contracts and coal operating contracts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a memorandum signed by Undersecretary Alessandro Sales on Monday, the DOE said the meeting with stakeholders is set on July 27.
Under the Organic Law for the BARMM, the national government through the DOE and the Bangsamoro Government through the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, will jointly exercise the power to grant rights, privileges and concessions over the exploration, development and utilization of uranium and fossil fuels in the region.
The IEB will resolve matters on energy and power generation and other energy issues in the region.
The IEB is also tasked to adopt a “competitive and transparent process” for the grant of rights, privileges and concessions in the exploration, development and utilization of uranium and fossil fuels in BARMM.
Data from the DOE showed there are 18 total active petroleum service contracts in the country and 21 active coal operating contracts that are either in development or production and six more that are under exploration. -Jed Macapagal
