Marcos to prioritize new provinces of Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has pledged to prioritize the development of the newly formed provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur during their transition period.

The promise was made by Marcos during the oath-taking of newly appointed officials of the two new provinces in Mindanao held at Malacañang last Friday.

Governor Abdulraop Abdul Macasena, Vice Gov. Fatima Ainee Limbona Sinsuat and

Provincial Board Members Armando Mastura, Mashur Ampatuan Biruar, Datu Rommel Seismundo Sinsuat, Alexa Ashley Tomawis, and Aldulnasser Maliga Abas were sworn in for Maguindanao del Norte.

On the other hand, Gov. Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu, Vice Gov. Nathaniel Sangacala Midtimbang and Board Members Bobby Bondula Midtimbang, Ahmil Hussein Macapendeg, Yussef Abubakar Musali Paglas, Alonto Montamal Baghulit and Taharudin Nul Mlor took their oaths of office for Maguindanao del Sur.

Marcos assured them that they can count on him and his administration to support their success.

“It is really a big priority for us, it’s a big thing for us that we bring development to different places,” he said of his commitment to the development of the two provinces.

In May 2021, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11550, dividing the province of Maguindanao into the two independent provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

A statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos was glad that his administration managed to find a solution to the problems that arose from the transition from one province to two.

Earlier, when the President named Abdulraof Macacua and Mangudadatu as officers-in-charge of the two provinces, the latter was displeased with the appointment because she was already an elected governor of the province at the time.