By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday that preparations are complete for the plebiscite regarding the establishment of eight municipalities within the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in North Cotabato province this coming weekend.
During a phone interview, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco stated that the April 13 event will provide the residents of the 63 villages in the SGA the opportunity to establish their own respective towns.
Hiling namin na ang lahat ng ating kababayang mga rehistradong botante ay lumabas at bumoto at ipahayag ang kanilang kapasyahan sa usaping ito, at ng sa gayon, mabilang at madinig ang kanilang boses sa pamamagitan ng demokratokong plebisito (We ask the registered voters to go out and vote and air their view on this matter, so that we could hear them through this democratic plebiscite),” he added.
A total of 89,594 registered voters in the SGA are to cast their votes in 67 voting hubs.
The conduct of the plebiscite is under the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 41 to 48, providing for the creation of the municipalities of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Tugunan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Old Kabakan, and Kapalawan, all in the province of North Cotabato.
Under the measure, Pahamuddin shall be composed of Barangays Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Datu Mantil, Kadingilan, Lower Pangangkalan, Libungan Torreta, Matilac, Patot, Upper Pangangkalan, Lower Baquer, and Simsiman from the municipality of Pigcawayan.
Kadayangan shall be composed of Barangays Central Labas, Kapinpilan, Malingao, Mudseng, Sambulawan, Tugal, and Tumbras from the municipality of Midsayap.
Nabalawag shall be composed of Barangays Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kudarangan, Nabalawag, Olandang from the municipality of Midsayap, and Dungguan from the municipality of Aleosan.
Old Kabakan shall be composed of Barangays Buluan, Nangaan, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, Pedtad, and Tamped from the municipality of Kabacan.
Kapalawan shall be composed of Barangays Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, Tupig from the municipality of Carmen.
Malidegao shall be composed of Barangays Balungis, Batulawan, Fort Pikit, Gokotan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, Nunguan from the municipality of Pikit.
Tugunan shall be composed of Barangays Balong, Bualan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Manaulanan, Pamalian, Panicupan from the municipality of Pikit, and Tapodoc from the municipality of Aleosan.
Ligawasanshall be composed of Barangays Bagoinged, Barungis, Bulol, Buliok, Gli-Gli, Kabasalan, and Rajamuda from the municipality of Pikit.
Voting hours would be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with vote counting to immediately commence after the voting centers have closed.
The poll body said the convening of the Barangay Plebiscite Board of Canvassers and Commencement of the Canvassing of Plebiscite Returns would begin at 6 p.m. and would continue until proclamation. (PNA)
