The Provincial Peace and Order Council Executive Committee (PPOC-ExeCom) on Monday held a meeting as part of the preparation of security forces for the upcoming Special Geographic Area of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM) plebiscite for the creation of eight new municipalities in the region slated on April 13, 2024.
PPOC chair Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza during the meeting expressed her support for the efforts of the military, police, and BARMM government towards the smooth conduct of the plebiscite.
“I am confident that this could lead to a peaceful resolution of all the conflicts in our midst,” Mendoza said.
Colonel Donald Gumiran, commanding officer of 602nd Brigade, and Colonel Gilberto Tuzon, Cotabato Provincial Police drector, assured the readiness of the military to ensure the security and orderly conduct of the plebiscite for the creation of eight municipalities, which include 63 barangays that previously belong to the province.
In 2019, the Province of Cotabato turned over 63 barangays from its six towns to BARMM after previously voted yes to be included in the autonomous region during a plebiscite held in February 2019.
These barangays 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.
Four years after they decided to join the BARMM, residents of 63 barangays in the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA) got their 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.
