Bangsamoro dangles coal, oil investments

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is bidding out four pre-determined areas (PDA) for coal and petroleum exploration in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The sole PDA for coal exploration is reserved for Filipino companies only, while the three Bangsamoro petroleum (BP) explorations are open to foreign investors.

“We’re looking for particular types of companies, the small ones who can make this kind of small discoveries economical,” DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said.

The coal exploration site in Kapai and Tagoloan, Lanao del Sur covers a total area of 14,856 hectares. Meanwhile, the PDA-BP-1, encompassing Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao del Norte, covers about 229,240 hectares.

Exploration in PDA-BP-1 dates is attributed to the previous presence of oil in a water well drilled in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur in 1916. Ten of of 14 drilled wells indicated oil and gas elements.

Both situated in the Sulu Sea Basin, PDA-BP-2 and PDA-BP-3 cover a total area of 780,000 hectares and 532,083 hectares, respectively.

Three gas discoveries and one with oil and gas among six wells have been drilled within the second petroleum exploration. Meanwhile, four gas and one oil shows were seen among seven drilled wells in PDA-BP-3.

“They are already discovered so there are no more exploration wastes,” Sales said.

Sales said there are “no estimated investments at the moment.”

“We will evaluate on the basis of appropriateness of the work program,” he said.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the bidding is a “joint responsibility” between the national government and the BARMM LGU.

“This landmark activity that we are about to unveil is a concrete testament of our firm commitment to working hand in hand with the Bangsamoro government in its journey to sustainable development and that of the country as a whole,” Lotilla said.