BARMM names new Maguindanao Norte towns

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Parliament has approved the creation of three new municipalities in Maguindanao del Norte province to join the administrative map of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao pending the majority vote in a plebiscite.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority media relations officer Sheila dela Cruz on Thursday said that Members of the Parliament approved the creation of Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, Sheik Abas Hamza and Nuling as municipalities in Maguindanao del Norte province last Wednesday.

Dela Cruz said the municipality of Datu Sinsuat Balabaran will be composed of 13 barangays — Awang, Badak, Capiton, Dinaig Proper, Dulangan, Kusiong, Linek, Tamontaka, Mompong, Semba, Tambak, Tanuel, and Tapian and the seat of government will be in Barangay Tamontaka.

She added that these barangays will be separated from the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat.

The Sheik Abas Hamza town, meanwhile is composed of 10 villages — Baka, Bitu, Bugawas, Kurintem, Labungan, Margues, Makir, Sapalan, Sifaran, and Taviran with the seat of government in Barangay Bugawas.

Nuling town, on the other hand, will be composed of the villages of Alamada, Banatin, Bulibod, Damaniog, Ibotegen, Kabuntalan, Kakar, Kapimpilan, Katamlangan, Katidtuan, Ladia, Maidapa, Matengen, Nalinan, Nara, Panatan, Pigcalagan, Pinaring, and Raguisi. Pinaring will be the site of the new government seat.