Administration Senator Francis Tolentino has insisted that time is already ripe to partition Maguindanao and pave the way for better delivery of basic services such as public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages.
In his sponsorship speech for a consolidated measure—Senate Bill Nos. 1274, 1714, and 1824 respectively—which all seek to partition Maguindanao into two separate provinces under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Tolentino said dividing the province will help boost social and economic development, as well as promote political stability.
The consolidated measures aim to divide Maguindanao into Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao.
Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, stressed that although the province is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources—including the Liguasan Marsh—it faces political and economic barriers.
Under the proposed partition plan, 11 municipalities will compose the province of Northern Maguindanao, while the remaining 25 towns will be part of Southern Maguindanao.
Municipalities to be included under Northern Maguindanao would be Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Datu Odin Sinsuat, which will serve as its capital.
Meanwhile, Southern Maguindanao will be composed of the towns of Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, Talitay, South Upi, while the seat of power will be at Buluan.
The legislative measure for the partition of Maguindanao, according to Tolentino, is the embodiment of the Maguindanaoans’ vision and aspirations to create new provincial governments which will promote their welfare and enhance their socio-economic condition.
He added that diving Maguindanao will not only help boost the income and economic growth in the region but also allow the local leaders to focus more on the needs of their constituents. (CMC)
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