INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday swore in different officials from Maguindanao Del Norte, and Maguindanao Del Sur — provinces that were only officially created in 2022 via referendum.
Split from the former Maguindanao, the two provinces will now have a local government unit (LGU) each. According to the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) statement, Marcos is prioritizing the development of these two provinces.
READ: Maguindanao Del Norte, Maguindanao Del Sur officially now provinces
“So asahan ninyo na ang national government, ay kami naman talaga ay malaking priority sa amin, malaking bagay sa amin na ito’y maging maayos dahil makakapagdala na tayo ng development sa iba’t ibang lugar na kung dati ay hindi pa natin nagawa, ngayon ay magagawa na natin and that is why this is so important to give because this is a grand opportunity,” the President said during the ceremony.
(You can expect for the national government, it will be a big priority to us, it is a big thing to us because we will bring development in places that we have not before, now we will be able to do that and that is why this is so important to give because this is a grand opportunity.)
The PCO said that the following officials were sworn in:
Maguindanao del Norte
Governor Abdulraop Abdul Macasena
Vice Governor Fatima Ainee Limbona Sinsuat
Board members Armando Mastura, Mashur Ampatuan Biruar, Datu Rommel Seismundo Sinsuat, Alexa Ashley Tomawis, and Aldulnasser Maliga Abas
Maguindanao del Sur
Gov. Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu
Vice Governor Nathaniel Sangacala Midtimbang,
Board members Bobby Bondula Midtimbang, Ahmil Hussein Macapendeg, Yussef Abubakar Musali Paglas, Alonto Montamal Baghulit, and Taharudin Nul Mlor
According to Marcos, the challenge remains to be organizing the two provinces in a way that will be beneficial for them.
The President said that there will be birthing pains, but remains confident that the two provinces will come out strong.
“Although we are presently still in transition, I think that we have an opportunity to make that transition most advantageous to all of us because maybe it is good for us to say that if there is a new province, there is a new constituency, and a new LGU,” he said.