II.A.
Geology of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) former
ARMM
The Bansamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the Mindanao group of
islands located at the southern part of the Philippines. It consists of five predominantly Muslim
provinces, namely: Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. It is known to be
the only region of the country having its own government. A comprehensive basic survey was
conducted in 2003 funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delineates the
geologic features and formation of the region. For the BARMM provinces, the geologic
condition is described below.
Maguindanao
The elevated igneous and sedimentary rocks in the province were formed during pre-
Cretaceous to recent. They are the result of magmatic and tectonic action generated by westward
and northeast crustal dipping plates that were subducted during the course of the province
evolution. The subduction zones south of Cotabato, along the Agusan-Davao Trough and east of
Surigao are considered most significant in the geologic development of Maguindanao and its
adjoining provinces.
The sedimentary rocks which were intercalated with the igneous rocks were formed
during the Cretaceous to Pleistocene. The oldest known rocks are the partly metamorphosed
Cretaceous to Paleogene dense, relatively impervious tuffaceous mudstone and greywacke,
which are intercalated with lava flows. These are mostly transformed sedimentary deposits
derived from basic oceanic crust. Final uplift of younger deposits above sea level occurred
during the Pleistocene to Recent time.
In general, none of the igneous and well-cemented, compacted sedimentary rocks can be
considered as dependable sources of pumpable groundwater. Only the Pleistocene to Recent
deposits can be considered as potential sources of significant quantity of pumpable groundwater.
Lanao del Sur
The uplifted metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks in Lanao del Sur were formed
during the pre-Cretaceous to Recent. They are the result of magmatic and tectonic action
generated by westward and northeast crustal dipping plates that were subducted during the
course of province’s evolution. The subduction zones south of Cotabato, along the Agusan-
Davao trough and east of Surigao are considered most significant in the geologic development of
Central Mindanao. Westward subduction from the Agusan-Davao trough is said to have lifted up
rock formations that formed the Mindanao Central Cordillera during Late Oligocene to Middle
Miocene. The southwest Cotabato Oceanic crust was lifted up by the northeast moving Cotabato
under-thrusted plate during this time. It was also active during Pliocene to Pleistocene. It
probably lifted up the Lanao area. This and the Philippine eastern plate are considered to be
intermittently active to the present.
Basilan
Basilan Island consists of Pliocene to Quaternary Volcanics and its erosional by-products.
The volcanic mounds, lava domes, vents, cinder cones and other peaks are made up of
Quaternary volcanic rocks (QV). The Quaternary Pyroclastics (QVP) overlies the Quaternary
Volcanics.
Recent deposits (R) include alluvium, beach deposits, swamp deposits, residual clays and
corals.
The small islands are made up of either Quaternary Volcanics or limestone/corals.
Geologic information indicates that the Quaternary Volcanic Plains (QVP) and the
Quaternary alluvium can be considered as important groundwater reservoir in the area. The
Quaternary Volcanics are generally hard and massive and therefore too tight to contain and yield
significant amount of water.
Majority of the residents in the lowland and coastal areas derive most of the groundwater
for domestic use from wells tapping the alluvial deposits. Sand and gravel layers, though of
limited thickness in several localities, generally make up the water table or swallow water table
aquifer’s within the alluvium. Brackish or salt water is to be expected in some localities
particularly those near the coast.
Sulu
Sulu island is consist of Pliocene to Quaternary volcanics and its erosional by-products.
The volcanic mounds, lava domes, vents, cinder cones and other peaks are made of Quaternary
volcanic rocks (QV). The Quaternary Pyroclastics (QVP) overlies the Quaternary Volcanics.
Recent deposits (R) include limited alluvial deposits, beach and swamp deposits, residual
clays and corals.
The small islands are made up of either Quaternary Volcanics or limestone/corals.
Geologic information indicates that the Quaternary Volcanic Plains (QVP) can be
considered as important groundwater reservoir in the area. The Quaternary Volcanics are
generally hard and massive and therefore too tight to contain and yield significant amount of
water.
Brackish or salt water is to be expected in some localities particularly those near the
coast.
Tawi-Tawi
Tawi-Tawi Island is composed of sandstone and conglomerate to the southwest and
highly altered serpentinite to the northeast. The island also has a narrow band of alluvial deposits
and coral rock along the shore. Some of the smaller islands have a rock core similar to that of the
nearest large island with some coral along the shore, but most smaller islands are low flats
islands composed entirely of coral rock and sand and gravel.
