THE Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), signed the transition agreement to support the Bangsamoro Government in implementing the provisions of the Renewable Energy (RE) Act of 2008.
DOE said in a statement on Thursday the transition agreement signed by DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla and MENRE Minister Akmad Brahim, formalizes the collaboration between the two agencies for the smooth transfer of the administration, application and development of RE in the Bangsamoro area.
The parties added that the Bangsamoro Organic Law grants the Bangsamoro Government the authority to explore, develop and utilize natural resources, including renewable energy sources, within the Bangsamoro region. Inland waters that are a source of energy for areas outside the BARMM are co-managed by the BARMM and the national government.
As part of the implementation process, the DOE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau
(DOE-REMB) will continue to provide capacity building support to the Bangsamoro Government which include training and guidance to MENRE on key policy and operational matters, as well as guidelines for the processing and award of RE service contracts and operating contracts and other registrations within the BARMM.
“Through DOE-REMB, we commit our full assistance to MENRE to facilitate its full assumption of the powers, functions, and responsibilities delegated to the DOE under the RE Act, including those powers, functions and responsibilities pertaining to the REMB and other regulations that applies to the BARMM,” Lotilla said.
DOE said these transition activities shall be performed and completed by both parties no later than the end of the year or until an agreed upon later date.
Within this period, the DOE and REMB shall also transfer to MENRE the custody and responsibility over data and files relating to RE projects located within the BARMM.
Following the transition period, the MENRE will officially take over the administration of all
RE service contracts and operating contracts that have been awarded by the DOE within the BARMM.
“This transition marks a key moment in the empowerment of the Bangsamoro Government, as MENRE assumes full responsibility for overseeing the implementation and management of renewable energy projects in the region,” Lotilla said.
As part of this responsibility, MENRE will ensure all contracts are managed in accordance with its established policies and guidelines, which are specifically designed to align with the unique needs and priorities of BARMM.
