Davao City, Philippines — May 23, 2025
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is strengthening its commitment to renewable energy as it continues to pursue clean, inclusive, and sustainable development. This was marked by the successful convening of the 4th Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting for the formulation of the Bangsamoro Sustainable Energy Master Plan (BSEMP) on May 23 in Davao City.
The event followed a four-day training workshop on renewable energy development held from May 19 to 22, co-organized by the BARMM Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) and the Centre for Energy Environment Resources Development (CEERD) Foundation.
The training brought together participants from various BARMM ministries, the Maguindanao del Norte Local Government Unit (LGU), and the Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (MAGELCO). Topics covered included the fundamentals of renewable energy technologies, such as biomass and mini-hydro systems, and project design. Experts from the Renewable Energy Management Bureau and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) provided insights and answered questions from attendees. MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro highlighted financing options for renewable energy projects, citing successful models of development and climate finance.
MENRE Chief Energy Regulation Officer Al-Montazer Mandong, speaking on behalf of Director General for Energy Nasiri Abas, emphasized that the overarching goal of the BSEMP is to support the region’s long-term economic development by transitioning to sustainable and reliable energy systems.
At the TWG meeting, CEERD presented a preliminary analysis of economic scenarios, referencing the 2023–2028 Bangsamoro Development Plan. MENRE advised that these scenarios be refined through consultations with relevant BARMM bodies, starting with the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and the Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management (MFBM).
Yoshiko De Villa of the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) under UNOPS reaffirmed the TWG’s support and stressed the importance of MENRE having a clear direction for the master plan’s development. She expressed optimism that ongoing capacity-building initiatives will lead to the BSEMP’s continuous improvement and successful implementation.
To further enhance understanding of renewable energy solutions, selected MENRE staff, led by Director General Abas, conducted a site visit on May 26–27 to Sitio Bubusawin in Aborlan, Palawan. There, they observed a smart renewable energy system that interconnects solar home systems and enables energy sharing through smart technology — a model with significant potential for off-grid communities in BARMM.
The visit, also organized by CEERD, included discussions with the Palawan Electric Cooperative on the technical and regulatory framework of the system. The MENRE delegation also engaged with the local community to learn about the social and economic benefits of the technology.
As BARMM forges ahead with its energy transition, the development of the BSEMP marks a crucial step in building a resilient and energy-secure region powered by sustainable and inclusive technologies.