The Provincial Government of Cotabato joined the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Special Geographic Area (SGA)- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) held in Crossing Kapinpilan, Midsayap, Cotabato on February 12, 2024.
Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza represented by Department of Social Welfare and Development 12 (DSWD 12) director Loreto V. Cabaya, Jr. emphasized the trust and support in the leadership of BARMM to the 63 barangays covered by SGA-BARMM, which used to be part of the province of Cotabato.
In November 2019, Mendoza turned over 63 barangays under six different towns of North Cotabato to BARMM.
The 63 barangays are Dunguan and Tapodoc in Aleosan; Manarapan, Nasapian, Kibayao, Ktulaan, Langogan, Pebpoloan and Tupig in Carmen; Nanga-an, Simbuhay, Sanggadong, Buluan, Pedtad, 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, Kadingilan, Matilac, Patot, Lower Pangangkalan, Datu Mantil, Libungan Torreta, Upper Pangangkalan and Simsiman in Pigcawayan; and Bagoinged, S. Balong, S. Balongis, Batulaawan, Buliok, Gokotan, Kabasalan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Barungis, Bualan, Bulol, Fort Pikit, Gli-gli, Manaulanan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, Nunguan, Pamalian, Panicupan and Rajah Muda in Pikit.
The celebration carried the theme “Celebrating Unity, Progress, and Peace in Special Geographic Area-BARMM.”
Mendoza assured that she will continue the solidarity and communication with the leaders and “partners” in BARMM to ensure the welfare of the communities covered by the SGA.
“Siniguro ko rin na patuloy kong paglilingkuran ang mga Muslim communities na nasa loob at labas ng BARMM sa pamamagitan ng mga programa at proyekto ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na magsusulong ng katiwasayan, kaunlaran, at kapakanan ng mga ito,” she said.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim thanked Mendoza for being a partner in the preservation of the aforementioned barangays.
In a plebiscite held on February 06, 2019, residents in the said barangays voted in favor of joining the BARMM.
