Four years after they decided to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), residents of 63 barangays in the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA) are about to have their own local governments and access to basic amenities following the approval of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Bill Nos. 129 to 136 on August 17, 2023.
The bills aim to establish eight municipalities namely Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.
Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Crisostomo Sema extended his gratitude to Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza for her continuing support for BARMM.
“Thanks to Governor Mendoza and to the mayors of the six municipalities that help the people of 63 barangays, we are expressing here our gratefulness. May Allah reward you and give you more power in leading your people in North Cotabato,” he said during the session at the BTA Parliament.
Mendoza welcomed the development and assured her administration’s continued cooperation and solidarity of the provincial government with BARMM towards peace and development.
In 2019, the Province of Cotabato turned over 63 barangays from its six towns to the BARMM that previously voted yes to inclusion during a plebiscite held in February 2019.
These are Dunguan and Tapodoc in Aleosan; Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan and Tupig in Carmen; Buluan, Nanga-an, Pedtad, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone and Tamped in Kabacan; Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kapinpilan, Kudarangan, Central Labas, Malingao, Mudseng, Nabalawag, Olandang, Sambulawan, Tugal and Tumbras in Midsayap; Lower Baguer, Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Datu Mantil, Kadingilan, LibunganTorreta, Matilac, Lower Pangangkalan, Upper Pangangkalan, Patot and Simsiman in Pigcawayan; and Bagoinged, S. Balong, S. Balongis, Batulawan, Buliok, Gokotan, Kabasalan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Barungis, Bualan, Bulol, Fort Pikit, Gli-gli, Manaulanan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, Nunguan, Pamalian, Panicupan and Rajah Muda in Pikit.
