THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) announced that the 63 villages in North Cotabato, which voted to join Barmm will be officially turned over to the regional government on November 20, this year.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, Barmm’ Minister of Interior and Local Government (MILG), said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of North Cotabato has already approved a resolution indicating the turnover of the 63 villages to the Barmm.

Sinarimbo, who is also the Barmm spokesperson, said the 63 villages are located in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, and Pikit.

Sinarimbo said he and the technical staff of the provincial board have already discussed the details of the turnover when they met last week.

He said the 63 villages will continue to receive their Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) directly from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“The 63 barangays [will] be constituted into a special geographic area where it will be administered by an Administrator. We will have ministries putting their people in the administrative set up so we can continue to deliver services there,” Sinarimbo added.

The 63 villages were among the 67 villages in six municipalities in North Cotabato that opted to join the expanded Barmm through a plebiscite held in February this year. (SunStar Zamboanga)