COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Parliament approved measures to create three new municipalities in the province of Maguindanao del Norte province.
Pending the majority vote in a plebiscite, the municipalities of Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Sheik Abas Hamza, and Nuling are poised to join the administrative map of the BARMM.
Deputy Speaker Atty. Lanang T. Ali Jr. authored Parliament Bill Nos. 190 and
191, which aim to create Datu Sinsuat Balabaran and Sheik Abas Hamza,
respectively. The PB No. 190 garnered 39 affirmative votes, one negative vote,
and two abstentions, while PB No. 191 obtained 40-1-0 votes.
The PB No. 223, authored by Member of the Parliament Baileng S. Mantawil, seeks
to establish the municipality of Nuling. The bill received 36 yes votes, two
abstentions, and three no votes.
The legislative measures will prompt a plebiscite, scheduled to be conducted by
the Commission on Elections, through the Bangsamoro Electoral Office, within
120 days from the date of the law's effectivity.
The plebiscite will provide
qualified voters with the opportunity to voice their approval or disapproval of
the proposed municipalities. If approved, the BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim
will appoint the mayor, vice mayor, and eight members of the Sangguniang Bayan
for each municipality.
An extensive consultation process, involving various stakeholders and experts,
was conducted by the Committee on Local Government before the bills were
submitted to the plenary. These efforts aimed to ensure alignment with legal
frameworks and to represent the voice of the constituents.
The measures are in accordance with the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code,
specifying that the creation, division, merger, abolition, or substantial
alteration of municipalities or barangays must be enacted by law through the
Parliament.
CLG Chair and Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Raissa Jajurie emphasized that the
creation of these municipalities adheres to specific criteria such as annual
income, total population, and total land area, all of which have been met by
Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Sheik Abas Hamza, and Nuling.
Atty. Jajurie said that resource persons from relevant offices confirmed certifications
for the criteria needed in the creation of municipalities.
Upon establishment, each
municipality will be entitled to its appropriate share of national taxes,
contributing to sustainable development. Details about the composition and
governance of each municipality were also outlined in the bills.
The municipality of Datu Sinsuat Balabaran will be composed of 13 barangays,
such as Awang, Badak, Capiton, Dinaig Proper, Dulangan, Kusiong,
Linek,Tamontaka, Mompong, Semba, Tambak, Tanuel, and Tapian. These
barangays will be separated from the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat. The
seat of government will be established in Barangay Tamontaka.
Comprising 10 barangays, the municipality of Sheik Abas Hamza is composed of
Baka, Bitu, Bugawas, Kurintem, Labungan, Margues, Makir, Sapalan, Sifaran, and
Taviran. The government seat will be established in Barangay Bugawas.
Nineteen barangays—Alamada, Banatin, Bulibod, Damaniog, Ibotegen, Kabuntalan,
Kakar, Kapimpilan, Katamlangan, Katidtuan, Ladia, Maidapa, Matengen, Nalinan,
Nara, Panatan, Pigcalagan, Pinaring, and Raguisi—will make up the municipality
of Nuling. Pinaring will be identified as the site of the new government seat.
Under the measures, the Bangsamoro government will appropriate and provide P2.5
million in financial assistance for the administration and operation of the
newly created municipalities every month until they receive their share in the
revenue allotment.
The support aims to jumpstart their local governance and contribute to the overall
welfare of the constituents in each new municipality. (LTAIS-Public
Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
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