By Ali G. Macabalang

COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is prospected to have a 7^th component province comprising the eight newly created towns out of the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of 63 barangays in North Cotabato that had opted for inclusion in the regional autonomy.

However, BARMM spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun has pointed out that the possibility of turning the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) into a province, including the creation of its congressional district, requires support from the national government, notably Congress.

“It is beyond the power of the regional government to create one, so we need the help of the national government for (creation) those (province and district),” Pendatun, concurrent Cabinet Secretary of the Bangsamoro Government, told the “Usapang Bangsamoro” press conference here last May 27.

He said initial talks were in progress with some concerned members of Congress championing the creation of the province and legislative district.

The five-year old BARMM currently comprises the six provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the three cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan as well as the SGA.

The SGA is composed of 63 barangays in five towns of North Cotabato that opted for inclusion in BARMM via the 2019 plebiscite called for the ratification of R.A. 11054, the law creating the new regional autonomous region.   

The SGA’s 63 barangays have been transformed into eight municipalities created under a regional edict passed by the interim parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). The enabling law was overwhelmingly ratified by resident-voters supporting the creation of the eight municipalities. The creation of such towns has brought to 125 the total number of municipalities in BARMM.  

The BARMM legislature, which is empowered to create municipalities, also has pending bills seeking to divide two or more towns in Maguindanao del Norte, but resident politicians have put up staunch opposition so far.

According to Pendatun, consultative processes have been underway for the selection of interim officials of the eight new municipalities.

Proposed for creation into a 7^th province in BARMM are the new municipalities of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.

During the enabling plebiscite last April 13, a total of 72,358 residents voted the establishment of the eight towns, equivalent to 81.10 percent of the 89,564 registered resident-voters. Only 273 people voted against, according to an earlier report by the Commission on Elections. (AGM)

PHOTO CAPRION: BARMM spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun. (File photo)