No contracts for oil drillings until annexes are finalized, PNoy assures MILF

No biddings for oil drilling in Moro areas would be conducted until the annexes in the government’s framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which include wealth-sharing, are finalized.   This was the promise given by President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday, a day after the MILF asked the government to postpone the awarding of oil exploration bids in Moro areas in Mindanao.    “Walang bidding, walang solicitations for bids, wala tayong ino-open up na areas,” Aquino said.   The MILF particularly sought the deferment of the awarding of bids in the Liguasan Marsh in the Cotabato Basin and in Sulu seas.   “As a principle, we are not against exploitation of our natural resources including oil and gas provided that they redound to the benefits of our people and should be done in the proper time and conditions,” MILF chairman Al Haj Murad said in statement.   Murad raised the issue at his press conference in Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat last Saturday, saying that until the wealth-sharing issue is fixed, biddings should be halted.   Aquino concurred with Murad: “Tama naman ‘yung sinasabi ni Chairman Murad, ‘yung wealth-sharing ay isa pa doon sa mga annexes na kailangang tapusin.”    The government is currently in talks with the MILF to finalize the annexes that will pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity. Key issues that need to be resolved include wealth-sharing, policing and the MILF’s laying down of arms.   Aquino said he was told by outgoing Energy Secretary Rene Almendras that exploration projects have been suspended.   “I checked the person responsible and previously Secretary Almendras sa Energy…suspended lahat raw doon. Wala tayong binibigay na licenses, service contracts in that area,” he said.   Aquino added that the closest thing to a project in the Moro area is a clearing operation in a bridge in Cotabato City, where growth of large water hyacinths and water spinach (kankong) blocks water flow.   Proposals to turn the water lilies into green charcoal have been talked about casually, said Aquino. He reiterated, however, that there are no concrete proposals yet. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News