Senate OKs bill dividing Maguindanao into 2 provinces

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate approved on third and final reading on Tuesday a bill dividing Maguindanao into two provinces.

Senate committee on local government chairman Sen. Francis Tolentino, who sponsored House Bill 6413, said the measure seeks to accelerate political, social and economic development in the south, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Under the proposed measure, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Talitay towns.

Maguindanao del Sur shall be composed of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan and South Upi.

Datu Odin Sinsuat will be the seat of government in Maguindanao del Norte and Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Ramon Revilla and Joel Villanueva are co-sponsors of the bill.