PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure dividing Maguindanao into two provinces.
Republic Act 11550 creates Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur provinces.
Maguindanao del Norte includes the towns of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay. Its capital is Datu Odin Sinsuat.
The municipalities of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla 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, and South Upi will be Maguindanao del Sur. Its capital is Buluan.
The Commission on Elections will supervise a plebiscite within 90 days from the effectivity of the law. The plebiscite will allow Maguindanao residents to ratify the law.
If the law is ratified, residents will elect governors, vice governors, members of the provincial board and other provincial officials during the May 2022 elections.
Maguindanao Representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, author of the bill, was elated by the passage of the law.
“Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah! Finally, the President has already signed into law the bill, May Allah bless and prosper our sincerest aspirations for the welfare and development of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Phlippines)