Diane Hora | iMINDSPH
Cotabato City — Provincial leaders and stakeholders from the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan gathered for a public consultation organized by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament to discuss the BTA Bill 267, also known as "An Act Providing for the Creation of Parliamentary Districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Muslim Mindanao."
Residents and elected officials voiced their opinions on the proposed measure, with Sulu aiming to increase its parliamentary districts by one from the proposed seven.
On the other hand, Basilan desires to have four districts instead of the proposed three, with Lamitan City seeking its district. The Basilan provincial government highlighted the importance of having a separate district for Lamitan City.
Before BTA's public consultations in the island provinces, members of the BARMM Parliament also conducted a series of consultations in the mainland provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur.
As the first round of consultations ends, Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba targets to pass the bill before the sine die adjournment or before the end of February.
On February 5, the Committee on Rules of the BTA is scheduled to present the proposed measure for deliberation with legislative input from stakeholders.
Under the proposed bill, the proposed 32 single parliamentary districts in the BARMM are distributed as follows:
- Three (3) districts will be assigned to Basilan - Seven (7) districts will be assigned to Sulu - Three (3) districts will be assigned to Tawi-Tawi - Eight ( districts will be assigned to Lanao del Sur - Four (4) districts each will be assigned to Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte - Two (2) districts each will be assigned to Cotabato City - One (1) district will be assigned to the Special Geographic Area.
BTA Bill No. 267 is considered a crucial step in preparation for the first parliamentary elections in the BARMM in 2025.
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