Cotabato City -- A proposal to create a new province within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is gaining significant momentum, with widespread public support.  This new province would be carved out of a special political territory that was once part of Cotabato province.

 

Senate Bill 2875, filed by Senator Robinhood Padilla, seeks to establish the province of Kutawato, encompassing the 63 villages that comprise the BARMM's Special Geographic Area (SGA). These villages have already been grouped under new towns created by the BARMM parliament: Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.

 

The proposal, hailed as a step towards Bangsamoro self-determination, aims to address long-standing governance and development gaps in the SGA.  The proposed province spans 814.75 square kilometers, with a population of 215,433, and an annual income of over P282.60 million.

 

The League of Bangsamoro Organizations (LBO), a coalition of 600 civil society groups in the BARMM, has called on Congress to approve the creation of Kutawato province, stating that it would solidify the region's institutional framework and empower the people of the SGA.

 

"Creating Kutawato province will give them a distinct political identity and ensure their voices are heard in the BARMM parliament," said Hashim Manticayan, LBO president.

 

Samsodin Amella, the group's spokesperson, emphasized that the proposed province will decentralize administration and ensure that services reach even the remotest areas, fostering equity and inclusivity.

 

The 63 barangays that make up the SGA have been in a governance limbo since their inclusion in the BARMM in 2019. Despite voting to join the region, they have faced challenges in accessing basic government services, including law enforcement.

 

"It's like we're a province in name only," said BARMM Interior Minister Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament floor leader.

 

While Cotabato province officially turned over the barangays to BARMM in December 2019, the handover has yet to include critical services like law enforcement and local governance structures.

 

"The lack of law enforcement is a particularly pressing concern," Alba stated. 

"Without a dedicated police force, residents feel vulnerable and fear that crime rates could rise," she said.

 

SGA residents are also forced to rely on their former municipalities for permits and essential documents, creating logistical hurdles and delays.

 

"There's an arrangement in place, but it's a temporary fix. We need a permanent solution that ensures we have access to the same services as any other community in BARMM," Alba added.

 

BARMM officials have urged the national government to expedite the transfer of resources and responsibilities to ensure that the SGA is fully integrated into the Bangsamoro region.

 

While the proposed creation of Kutawato province enjoys widespread support, both the LBO and BARMM officials acknowledge the need for careful legal and logistical maneuvering.

 

"We must adhere to the procedures outlined in the Local Government Code and the BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law)," said former BARMM interior minister Naguib Sinarimbo.

 

If a law on Kutawato's creation is approved, funding for a required plebiscite, jurisdiction over law enforcement, and the integration of government services are among the key challenges.

 

The BARMM government has proposed to call the SGA "Moro Province" instead of Kutawato to avoid confusion with the name of the non-BARMM province of Cotabato, and in honor of the rich heritage of the Moro people.

 

The BARMM government has expressed strong support for the bill, recommending its referral to the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Intergovernmental Body. This body will play an important role in coordinating and resolving key issues, ensuring a smooth transition toward the establishment of a new BARMM province.