BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – To hear the Tawi-Tawians’ standpoint and recommendations on Parliament Bill. No. 267 or the “Parliamentary Districts Act of 2023”, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s (BTA) Committee on Rules conducted a public consultation here at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium, MSU TCTO, Sanga-Sanga Campus on January 29.
The event, presided over by Committee Vice Chair Atty Raissa Jajurie, included the participation of several Members of the Parliament (MP), such as Deputy Speaker Atty. Lanang Ali,Jr., Eddie Alih, Atty John Anthony Lim, Atty. Rasol Mitmug,Jr., Atty Randolph Parcasio, and Rasul Ismael.
Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, Vice Governor Al-syed Sali, Sangguniang Bayan Members, government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in Tawi-Tawi were also in attendance.
In his opening message, MP Alih emphasized the importance of the activity, stating, “This is not just a consultation, it is a collective endeavor to the Bangsamoro that is equitable, inclusive and representative as a whole. Let our discussion today be a testament to the strength of unity.”
PB No. 267 or the act providing for the creation of parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), aims to ensure the fair representation of the Bangsamoro people in the apportionment of parliament districts in the region. Each district shall have a population of at least one hundred thousand.
Tawi-Tawi, with a total population of 440, 276, is proposed to have three districts: District 1 (Bongao, Mapun, Turtle Islands), District 2 (South Ubian, Languyan, Sapa-Sapa, Tandubas), and District 3 (Panglima Sugala, Simunul, Sitangkai, Sibutu).
The Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi submitted a counter position paper advocating for an additional parliamentary district, making it four districts for the province.
Several stakeholders also supported the bill, with others submitting their position papers highlighting the cultural, economic, spiritual, geographical, and political history of Tawi-Tawi for consideration in finalizing the proposed Bill.
Vice Governor Sali thanked the BTA Members for coming over to Tawi-Tawi to conduct the public consultation and hear the voices of the Tawi-Tawians. He also called for unity for a more progressive BARMM.
MP Lim also voiced his support for the bill and Tawi-Tawi’s position, emphasizing unity by stating, “I am 1/3 Tausug, 1/3 (Manileño), and 1/3 Tawi-Tawi(an), but I am 100% Bangsamoro.”
The Committee on Rules is accepting position papers for the said bill until February 3, 2024. (Laila Aripin/BIO)
