COTABATO CITY — A measure that will strengthen the energy policies and mechanisms in the Bangsamoro region is being introduced in the Bangsamoro Parliament today, March 22.

According to Member of the Parliament Amilbahar Mawalil, principal author of BTA Bill No. 179, there is a need to harmonize and fast-track the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act, the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act, and Executive Order No. 30 “to establish, strengthen, and integrate the energy policies and mechanisms within the region.”

Executive Order No. 30 ensures the continuous, adequate, and economical energy supply and streamlines regulatory procedures affecting energy projects of national significance. It provides the framework to create an efficient and effective administrative process for energy projects to avoid unnecessary delays in implementing the Philippine Energy Plan.

Under the proposed measure, the Bangsamoro Energy Code will set guidelines for implementing energy projects in the BARMM.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law mandates the Bangsamoro Government to promote investments in the energy and power generation sector, domestic and international, public and private, in the power sector industry.

An Energy Sector Committee will be created under the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council to facilitate the implementation of energy programs, policies, and projects following pertinent energy and other regulatory laws and issuances.

The development plan of the Bangsamoro should also include all local energy policies, plans, and programs covering energy safety and best practices, energy efficiency and conservation, and energy resiliency in its comprehensive development plan. It will be submitted to the BEDC and integrated into its Regional Development Plan.

In addition, the Bangsamoro Government will initiate efforts to streamline the processes in issuing the necessary permits on energy-related projects in BARMM component cities and municipalities.

Once approved, the Bangsamoro Government, in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, will disseminate and capacitate its concerned stakeholders and constituents on energy safety practices, energy efficiency, and conservation, energy resiliency, energy planning which includes energy access and resource development, energy programs policies, and projects.

The proposed bill was co-authored by MPs Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Atty. Laisa Alamia, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Rasul Ismael, Abraham Burahan, Sittie Shara Mastura, and Atty. Paisalin Tago. (LTAIS- Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)