Noy assures MILF: No biddings for oil projects

MANILA, Philippines - The government did not hold biddings much less awarded service contracts for oil explorations in areas that will eventually be affected by the proposed Bangsamoro region in Mindanao, President Aquino said yesterday.

Aquino gave the reassurance to Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with which the government signed a framework agreement two weeks ago.

Ebrahim has called for a hold in the granting of exploratory projects.

Aquino said he had just talked to outgoing Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and he was made to understand that there have been no biddings, no solicitations for bids and no opening of areas for such exploratory projects.

The government and the MILF have yet to submit the annexes for what is provided in the framework agreement as “wealth-sharing,” where proceeds of taxes from local resources still have to be discussed.  

In its website, the MILF expressed concern and asked the government to postpone the awarding of oil exploration contracts to bidders in areas that will be covered by the Bangsamoro region while discussions on wealth-sharing are underway.