2 new towns in Maguindanao Norte sought

By John Peps M. Dales
MSU-Marawi Intern

BANGSAMORO Transition Authority (BTA) Deputy Speaker Lanang Ali Jr. is seeking to establish two new municipalities in the province of Maguindanao del Norte by authoring BTA Bill Nos. 190 and 191.

In May 2021, former-president Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Republic Act No. 11550, dividing the province of Maguindanao into two independent provinces, Maguindanao del Sur and Norte. Maguindanao del Norte has one independent city, 12 municipalities, and one legislative district. Its capital is the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Under the proposed bills, two new municipalities will be established covering barangays originally from Datu Odin Sinsuat. These two municipalities will be named ‘Datu Balabaran Sinsuat’ with Barangay Tamontaka as its Seat of Government and ‘Shiek Abas Hamza’ with Barangay Bugawas as its Seat of Government.

Among the 34 barangays of Datu Odin Sinsuat, 13 will be moved to Datu Balabaran Sinsuat. These are the barangays of Tapian, Linek, Dinaig Proper, Tamontaka, Tanuel, Kusiong, Mompong, Semba, Capiton, Tambak, Badak, Awang, and Dulangan. While 10 barangays will be moved to Shiel Abas Hamza. These are the barangays of Labungan, Taviran, Baka, Sapalan, Sifaran, Bugawas, Bitu, Kurintem, Margues, and Makir.

However, Maguindanao del Norte Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat expressed his opposition to Ali’s proposed bills.

Sinsuat, together with other city officials and residents of the affected barangays, was dismayed to hear about the proposal. He added that no consultation was held with the province and barangay officials.

Instead, Sinsuat calls for everyone to just support the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat saying that he does not see the need to divide it into three independent municipalities.