With scarce dry land on which to grow vegetables, women in Barangay Balong, Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao have developed floating gardens in the middle of the Liguasan Marsh. MindaNews file photo by FERDINANDH CABRERA
“The national government has also partnered with the BARMM in regard to energy exploration and development, and also its utilization within its territorial jurisdiction,” he said.The Bangsamoro region forms part of the 288,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh, which is reportedly rich in natural oil and gas deposits. Liguasan Marsh straddles the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte in the BARMM and North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in Soccsksargen.
In his speech during the signing ceremony then, Marcos said the country “would not be as dependent on external fuel sources, as the IEB Circular will help unleash BARMM’s energy potential and attract vital investments to the area.” Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said the signing of the IEB Circular shows the “unwavering commitment of the Philippine government and the BARMM to work together to sustain the dividends of the peace process.”
Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla noted that the signing of the IEB Circular “is another major leap for the Bangsamoro region.”