Deadline for BARMM exploration bids extended

FILE PHOTO: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government complex is located in Cotabato City. (Photo by Bong S. Sarmiento)

The government is extending up to May 27 the deadline for proposals to explore and develop indigenous conventional energy resources, including oil and coal, in some parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a joint advisory, the Department of Energy (DOE) said the new deadline for submitting application documents or bids is adjusted to May 27 at 11 a.m. from the original schedule of April 26 “in observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan.”

All proposals will be opened on the day at 2 p.m., while the notice of qualification will be issued on Aug. 22.

The advisory did not specify the new schedule for the awarding of coal operating contracts but the recommendation to award such to the energy secretary and the BARMM Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy is slated for Sept. 27.

The DOE announced in February the first Conventional Energy Bid Round for BARMM, opening four areas for petroleum and coal exploration.

The predetermined area (PDA) for coal exploration is located in Kapai and Tagoloan, Lanao del Sur, spanning an area of 14,856 hectares (ha).

Also up for grabs are three PDAs for petroleum in Cotabato City and the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, covering 1.5 million ha.

Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said earlier the DOE would select applicants that could demonstrate a good understanding of the possible resource potential of the areas. He added they must have experience in exploration and field development in similar areas and the necessary risk capital and financial capability to explore and develop.

The DOE had said 50 local and international oil and gas exploration and production companies signified their interest in submitting bids for the BARMM areas. —JORDEENE B. LAGARE