BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun addresses the local media from Cotabato City as the newly-appointed spokesperson during a press conference held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO). (Faisal Camsa Jr./BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Newly-designated Bangsamoro Government Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun reaffirmed on Tuesday the strengthened preparations for a conflict-free Special Geographic Areas (SGA) plebiscite on April 13, 2024.
Upcoming voting aims to ratify the laws or the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 41-48, which are centered on the creation of eight municipalities for the 63 barangays of the SGA, as approved by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament on Aug. 17 last year.
These proposed municipalities include Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.
In a press conference with local media in Cotabato City on April 2, the Spokesperson emphasized that the coordination with various stakeholders to guarantee a no-war plebiscite has been ongoing alongside the campaign period and the gun ban, which started on March 14.
“Recently, the first-quarter Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting took place, and the discussion primarily revolved around the security preparations and other relevant contingency plans to ensure a peaceful and credible plebiscite for the SGA,” said Pendatun, who is also the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) cabinet secretary.
The Council plays a pivotal role in securing the safety of the general public through its peace interventions, involving different security sectors such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), among others.
He said further that the interim government is in active partnership with the PNP, AFP, Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and other local partners and stakeholders to aid and facilitate violence-free SGA-wide voting.
“At this point in time, there have been no incidents or reports of conflict or violence, specific to the 63 barangays, related to the upcoming plebiscite,” he stressed.
A total of 89,594 SGA constituents are qualified and expected to vote next week, with 67 voting precincts available.
The barangays of Central Labas, Kapinpilan, Malingao, Mudseng, Sambulawan, Tugal, and Tumbras, in Midsayap, North Cotabato, will be part of Kadayangan.
The combined barangays of Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kudarangan, Nabalawag, and Olandang, all from Midsayap, and Barangay Dungguan in Aleosan, North Cotabato, will be part of Nabalawag.
Kaabakan will be composed of barangays Buluan, Nangaan, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, Pedtad, and Tamped, in Kaabakan, North Cotabato.
Barangays Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, and Tupig, in Carmen, North Cotabato, will be included in Kapalawan.
Malidegao will be composed of barangays Balungis, Batulawan, Fort Pikit, Gokotan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, and Nunguan in Pikit, North Cotabato.
The barangays of Balong, Bualan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Manaulanan, Pamalian, and Panicupan, in Pikit; and Barangay Tapodoc, in Aleosan, will form Tugunan.
Ligawasan will be composed of barangays Bagoinged, Barungis, Bulol, Buliok, Gli-Gli, Kabasalan, and Rajamuda in Pikit, North Cotabato.
Under the law, the Bangsamoro Government is mandated to provide financial assistance for the administration and operation of the municipalities each month until they receive their share in the national tax allotment, subject to usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Pendatun also shared that the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), in partnership with the COMELEC, has been spearheading a series of voter education efforts for SGA residents. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
