COTABATO CITY — Two new municipalities will be created in Lanao del Sur, once Parliament Bill Nos. 271 and 272 receive nod from the members of the Bangsamoro Parliament.

A lawmaker from Lanao del Sur, Member of Parliament Ali Montaha Babao introduced the two bills.

PB No. 271 pushes for the establishment of the municipality of Pilintangan, which will be composed of 11 barangays.

The proposed new municipality will be carved out from the existing Wao municipality, with its seat of government located in Barangay Pilintangan.

The barangays included in the formation of Pilintangan are Balatin, Buntongan, Buot, East Kili Kili, Kadingilan, Mimbuaya, Muslim Village, Panang, Park Area, Pilintangan, and Western (Poblacion).

Meanwhile, PB No. 272 aims to create the municipality of Raya Maguing, constituted by 14 barangays.

The proposed municipality will be formed by reallocating barangays from the Maguing municipality, with its seat of government located in Barangay Dilimbayan.

The barangays to be included in Raya Maguing are Balawag, Bato Bato, Bubong Bayabao, Bubong Maguing, Cambong Balintao, Camalig, Dilimbayan, Ilalag, Kiyanodan, Lilod Maguing, Maguing Proper, Panayagan, Pilimoknan, and Runggayan.

The measures stipulate that a plebiscite will be conducted 60 days after the approval of PB Nos. 271 and 272, allowing affected barangays and residents to voice their positions on the proposed creation of the two municipalities.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), through the Bangsamoro Electoral Office, will oversee and supervise the plebiscites.

Upon the ratification of the bills, either the President of the Philippines or the BARMM Chief Minister will appoint the municipal government officials, including mayors, vice-mayors, and eight Sangguniang Bayan members. The appointed officials may continue to hold their posts until duly elected officials are voted in during the next regular election.

During the transition period, both Pilintangan and Raya Maguing municipalities will receive financial support, with an allocation of P3-million each month until they are able to generate their own internal revenue allotment.

The proposal aligns with the provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, granting the Bangsamoro government the authority to create, divide, merge, abolish, or alter the boundaries of barangays in accordance with laws enacted by the Bangsamoro Parliament. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)