The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is taking a bigger role in the country’s energy sector after two newly awarded petroleum service contracts were placed under co-management with the BARMM government.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. made the announcement during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, 2026.

Marcos said the partnership is expected to support BARMM’s strategic vision of achieving energy security and total electrification across the region.

“This is the first time in our political history. BARMM is now firmly set to pursue its strategic vision of energy security and total electrification for and in the Bangsamoro region,” Marcos said.

BARMM is set to hold its first parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026.

Marcos said the two contracts are among the 14 petroleum service contracts awarded nationwide, which Marcos said is the highest number granted during a single presidential term, by far.

The President said four of these contracts are focused on hydrogen production, which is seen as a potential backup fuel for power plants, particularly in off-grid areas.

During his SONA, Marcos said the government gives importance on technologies that do not rely on imported fuel, but are instead powered by the country’s own natural resources, such as renewable and indigenous energy sources.

Marcos said aside from several oil-fired power plants, the government has added more than 60 plants powered by geothermal, solar, hydro, wind, and biomass energy.

Marcos added that following the extension of the Malampaya service contract until 2039, drilling operations resumed for the first time in eight years, leading to the discovery of an estimated 222 billion cubic feet of untapped natural gas reserves that could help sustain the continued production of the country’s premier gas field until 2034.

“To put it in context, 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas is sufficient to power 1.6 million households for the next eight years until 2034,” Marcos said.