Duterte signs law splitting Maguindanao province

COTABATO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill dividing the province of Maguindanao into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.

According to Maguindanao Representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, Duterte signed House Bill No. 6314 on Wednesday. Mangudadatu is the author of the bill.

“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.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that the bill has been signed.

Senator Francis Tolentino said the division of the province aims to help boost social and economic development and promote political stability in the region.

Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, said the time is ripe to partition Maguindanao to pave the way for better delivery of basic services such as public health care, education and transportation to the most remote villages.

Under the partition plan, 12 municipalities will make up Maguindanao del Norte and the remaining 24 towns will be part of Maguindanao del Sur.

Municipalities to be included under Maguindanao del Norte are Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Talitay and Datu Odin Sinsuat, which will serve as its capital.

Meanwhile, Maguindanao del Sur will be composed of the municipalities 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, South Upi and Buluan, which will be the capital.

Among other proponents of the bill are Maguindanao Representative Ronnie Sinsuat and Tarlac Representative  Noel Villanueva.

Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu joined Cabinet officials in Malacanang during the signing of the bill.

The bill will be published thereafter in the official gazette and a scheduled plebiscite will decide the fate of dividing the province. --Ferdinandh Cabrera with Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News