Wao rejects BTA proposal to split municipality

Source: mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com

LANAO DEL SUR - Residents of Wao town in Lanao del Sur province have rejected a legislative proposal by Bangsamoro Parliament Member (MP) Ali Montaha Babao to divide their municipality into two areas.

Babao's Parliament Bill No. 271 aims to establish the municipality of Pilintangan, comprising of 11 villages from Wao's 26 villages. The proposed law identified the villages as Balatin, Buntongan, Buot, East Kili Kili, Kadingilan, Mimbuaya, Muslim Village, Panang, Park Area, Pilintangan, and Western (Poblacion), with its seat of government in Pilintangan.

Showing unity, residents of Wao town in Lanao del Sur province converged at the municipal hall grounds to vehemently contest a legislative proposal put forth by a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament. The proposal seeks to divide their municipality into two distinct entities, which ignited opposition among the townspeople. Taking center stage at therally, Wao Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. implored Member of BARMM Parliament Ali Montaha Babao to reconsider and withdraw Parliament Bill 721, citing its potential to sow chaos and inflict irreversible harm upon the fabric of their town. (ZRD)

The lack of consultations with local officials, village leaders and affected residents sparked outrage in the town. Villagers also held indignation rallies and vowed to opposed the Parliament Bill No. 271.

Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. also expressed his discontent, emphasizing the absence of consultations and the potential chaos the bill might bring to their town. As such, he urged Babao to withdraw his bill asserting that the proposed legislation lacks legitimacy.

"Ginahangyo ko kay MP Babao nga i-withdraw niya ang kining bill nga iyang giduso sa Parliament kay naghatag lang ini sang kagubot diri sa atun banwa. Ginahangyo nakon ang atong minister nga kung mahimu, ginahangyo ko sa iyaha na ipa-retract na ang bill sang nagsponsor kay makaguba kini sa Wao," he said.

(I am asking MP Babao to withdraw this bill that he pushed in Parliament because it is only causing chaos in our town. I am asking our minister to tell the sponsor of the bill to retract it because it will destroy Wao.)

Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Rakiin Adiong expressed solidarity with the people of Wao, assuring them of the provincial government's support in opposing the measure.

"Hindi tayo papayag na itong Wao ay ma-divide into two. Dahil alam naman natin na isa sa mga progressive na municipality [sa Lanao del Sur] ang Wao. And yet, kung hahatiin mo, back to zero tayo, at 'yun ang mahirap. Kung ano man 'yung pinagpaguran ng lahat ng naging leaders, ng mga constituents ay mapupunta sa wala kapag ito ay na-approve," he said.

(We will not allow this Wao to be divided into two. We know that Wao is one of the progressive municipalities in Lanao del Sur. And yet, if you divide it, we're back to zero, and that's the hard part. Whatever the leaders and constituents have worked hard for will go to nothing when the bill is approved.)

Balicao expressed appreciation to Wao's Sangguniang Bayan members and village officials, civil society organizations, the business sector, and religious groups for their position against Babao's proposal.