This region in southern Philippines is driving investors wild - it has so much untapped natural gas that locals can set fire to the water.

American engineers believe that the remote towns of North Cotabato and Maguindanao hold half a trillion dollars worth of gas.

Footage shows how the water contains so much methane that it can be set alight once it is pumped up from the ground.

Local politicians and now hoping that rival tribes can settle their disputes to allow rigs to start drilling for oil and gas in the Liguasan Marsh area covering 220,000 hectares.

Nur Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front, said that poverty-stricken villagers could become the richest in the area.

Speaking at a peace conference earlier this month, he said: ''American engineers have estimated that once the gas is extracted the total earnings could amount to $580billion.

''Peace in the area should be obtained in the soonest time possible so that plans on how to obtain the resources of Liguasan Marsh can be laid in.''

The Philippines is rich in untapped natural gas - a resource that could transform the destitute country.

Controversial leader President Rodrigo Duterte is keen to tap into the fuels and last Saturday (26/05) was pictured opening the first valve of the new Algeria Oil Field in Cebu province, which holds 9.42 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 28 million barrels of oil.

This region in the south of the Philippines is driving investors wild - it has so much un-tapped natural gas that locals can set fire to the water.

American engineers believe that the remote towns of North Cotabato and Maguindanao hold half a trillion dollars worth of gas.

Footage shows how the water contains so much methane that it can be set alight once it is pumped up from the ground.

Local politicians and now hoping that rival tribes can settle their disputes to allow rigs to start drilling for oil and gas in the Liguasan Marsh area covering 220,000 hectares.

Nur Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front, said that poverty-stricken villagers could become the richest in the area.

Speaking at a peace conference earlier this month, he said: ''American engineers have estimated that once the gas is extracted the total earnings could amount to $580billion.

''Peace in the area should be obtained in the soonest time possible so that plans on how to obtain the resources of Liguasan Marsh can be laid in.''

The Philippines is rich in untapped natural gas - a resource that could transform the destitute country.

Controversial leader President Rodrigo Duterte is keen to tap into the fuels and last Saturday (26/05) was pictured opening the first valve of the new Algeria Oil Field in Cebu province, which holds 9.42 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 28 million barrels of oil.