BTA to pass bills creating municipalities in Special Geographic Area

COTABATO CITY ― The Bangsamoro Parliament's Local Government Committee has committed to pass bills that will pave the way for the creation of eight new municipalities in the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA) before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October, allowing the newly established municipalities to participate in the polls.

Member of the Parliament Engr. Aida Silongan hopes that the plebiscite for the creation of the municipalities would be conducted simultaneously with the elections, emphasizing the importance of providing better governance and service delivery to the communities in the region.

The BTA, which serves as the interim government of the BARMM or Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, aims to bring the government closer to the people by establishing new municipalities and enabling more localized decision-making and development initiatives to address the specific needs and concerns of the communities.

The eight municipalities, composed of 63 villages, are proposed to be created in the towns of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigcawayan, all located in North Cotabato, a province near Maguindanao.

In December 2022, the Government of the Day filed eight bills seeking to establish the municipalities of Pahamudin, Kadayangan, Kabalukan, Northern Kabacan, Kapalawan, Malmar, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.

A two-day series of simultaneous public consultations took place on June 12–13 for BTA Bill Nos. 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, and 136 in selected towns of North Cotabato.

Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Mary Ann Arnado expressed the eagerness of the Bangsamoro government to give back to the residents of the BARMM SGA, acknowledging the sacrifices they have endured. She highlighted that the lack of their own municipalities has put these residents in a precarious situation, hindering their access to essential programs and services.

If the bills are passed into law, Arnado said, the residents would have a functional, accountable, and competent local government unit to cater to their day-to-day needs.

The proposed creation of municipalities within the BARMM SGA has garnered support from various stakeholders, including local government officials, civil society groups, and community leaders. They believe that establishing new municipalities will promote inclusive governance, empower local communities, and facilitate the efficient delivery of public services.

During the recent public consultation, over 11,000 signatures were gathered in support of placing the seat of local government in the village of Datu Binasing for BTA Bill No. 129, which aims to establish the municipality of Pahamudin.

Some groups lobbied for changing the name of the municipality to Pimbagran as it symbolized unity during the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Pimbagran is a local term that means "to strengthen".

The proposed municipality includes the villages of Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Datu Mantil, Kadilingan, Lower Pangangkalan, Libungan Torreta, Matilac, Patot, Upper Pangangkalan, Lowe Baquer, and Simsiman.

Residents of Kapinpilan, Sambulawan, Tugal, Mudseng, Malingao, Central Labas, and Tumbras also expressed their support for the creation of Kadayangan municipality. They believe that BTA Bill No. 130 will empower them to "exercise greater control over their affairs and resources."

“Establishing a separate municipality will allow us to make decisions that are tailored to our specific needs, leading to more efficient and effective governance,” one village official said, citing the unique challenges and opportunities that their communities face.

Residents from the villages of Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kudarangan, Nabalawag, Olandang, and Dungguan in Midsayap called for the immediate passage of BTA Bill No. 131 that would enable the formation of Kabalaukan municipality. They also expressed the need for the appointment of leaders who will oversee the municipality until the next national elections.

While BTA Bill No. 132 proposed the creation of Northern Kabacan, which will be formed out of the villages of Buluan, Nangaan, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, Pedtad, and Tamped. Stakeholders pledged their full support for the law and presented a number of proposals, such as changing the name of the municipality to “Laya” from “Northern Kabacan,” as the former better reflects the people’s unique identity.

The bill for the municipality of Kapalawan, as outlined in BTA Bill No. 133, aims to transfer the villages of Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, and Tupig from Carmen town in North Cotabato.

Tribal Chieftain Rodolpho Palawan Jr. highlighted the support of the Indigenous Peoples sector, emphasizing the importance of including and recognizing the IPs in the bill once it becomes law.

BTA Bill No. 134 proposes the creation of the municipality of Malmar, composed of seven villages: Balungis, Batulawan, Fort Pikit, Gokotan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, and Nunguan. If the measure is passed, these villages would be united into a single administrative unit, resulting in a total population of 366,438 residents for the newly formed municipality.

The villages of Balong, Bualan, Lagunde, Macabual, Manaulanan, Pamalian, and Panicupan in Pikit and Tapodoc in Aleosan town would become part of the municipality of Tugunan if BTA Bill No. 135 is passed into law.

Over 2,000 groups, including village officials and representatives, civil society organizations, security forces, traditional, religious, women's groups, and others, showed up to express their support for the proposed measure.

Lastly, BTA Bill No. 136 seeks to establish the municipality of Ligawasan, which would include the villages of Bagoinged, Barungis, Bulol, Buliok, Gli-Gli, Kabasalan, and Rajamuda, all of which are presently part of the municipality of Pikit in North Cotabato.

Once these bills are enacted, the newly created municipalities will have their own local government units with elected officials who will be responsible for addressing the specific needs and concerns of their respective communities. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)