Cotabato City (July 20, 2020)- Civil Society Organizations’ project partners held 2 simultaneous 

Dialogue & Consultations with the 63 barangays of North Cotabato in Pikit, and in Midsayap on July 18, at Hillpark Inn in Midsayap, North Cotabato. 

The activities were attended by 50 barangay chairmen/chairwomen who were so anxious to get updates on the status of the areas outside BARMM. 

The BARMM & BTA Representatives who held the consultation were: BTA MP Akmad “Jack” Abas & Dr. Zaiton Abas (MILG Head for 63 Brgys) in Camp Rajamuda and Mohammad Kelie Antao (BARMM Development Coordinating Office Administrator), and BTA MP Atty Lanang T. Ali Jr. 

MFL Ali, Jr delivered a message during the dialogue in Midsayap

The CSOs that organized and led the consultation activities are long-time partners of Institute for Autonomy and Governance with support from European Union Policy, namely Bangsamoro Women Services Center (BWSC), United Youth for Peace & Development (UNYPAD), Suara Kalilintad, Tiyakap Kalilintad, Mindanao Alliance for Peace and Development (MAPAD), Moro Women Development and Cultural Center (MWDECC), and Kadtabanga Foundation.

Participants who attended the dialogue consultation were Barangay Officials of 63 barangays, Pigcawayan, Midsayap Under BARMM -Barangay Council -UBJP -Political Committees -and other Community Leaders.

The issues presented and discussed were (1) Priorities Bills of BARMM (2) Status of North Cotabato (3) Block Grant (4) Bangsamoro Electoral Process (5) Intervention of BARMM during Covid-19 Pandemic

Others BARMM officials who participated in the dialogue were Duma Mascud, Municipal Cluster leader of Midsayap, Ibrahim Rahman, Cluster Leader of Pigcawayan, ‘Jack’ Abas, Dr. Zaiton Abas, MILG Head for 63 Barangays, etc.

The said 63 villages opted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region during the plebiscite held in February, last year. Previously they were part of the Municipalities of Pigcawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Pikit, Kabacan, and Carmen.