Photo by Marhom Ibrahim/BIO
COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Bill No. 43, establishing the new seat of Bangsamoro Government in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, was approved on its third and final reading in the Bangsamoro Parliament on Monday, June 19.
With 47 affirmative votes, 6 abstentions, and no negative votes, the decision paves the way for the Office of the Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Parliament, the Office of the Wali, BARMM ministries, offices, agencies, and other facilities to be relocated to the municipality of Parang.
Parang, a dynamic coastal municipality in Maguindanao province, will accommodate the government entities, with its extensive land area of 850.78 square kilometers or 328.49 square miles, constituting 8.53% of Maguindanao’s total area.
According to Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, the strategic relocation of the government seat aims to enhance accessibility, stimulate regional development, and strengthen the BARMM’s capacity to efficiently serve its constituents.
It is expected that all constituencies within the Bangsamoro region will benefit from this significant move.
The selection process for the new seat of government involved careful consideration of various factors, including accessibility, land availability and sustainability, infrastructure and utilities, economic and institutional services, social and political accessibility, peace and order conditions, and the potential for enhancing BARMM development.
The overwhelming support demonstrated by the 47 affirmative votes from the members of parliament signifies their unwavering dedication and commitment to the progress and prosperity of the region. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO with reports from LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
