BGC transfer to Parang, MagNor to boost region’s economy, stakeholders say

COTABATO CITY ― Relocating the administrative capital from Cotabato City to Parang, Maguindanao del Norte will pave the way for economic growth and development in the region, according to various stakeholders who participated in a public consultation for BTA Bill No. 43 on Monday, April 17.

Parang Mayor Cahar Ibay explained that the municipality is “ideally best for establishing the development and implementation of the master plan for the new seat of capital of the Bangsamoro government.”

The municipality of Parang, according to Mayor Ibay, fully backs BTA Bill No. 43, as it has much to offer.

Mayor Ibay and other stakeholders also appealed to the Bangsamoro Parliament to immediately pass the proposed measure that would make Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, the new seat of the Bangsamoro Government.

The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Rules Committee, chaired by Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, held a public consultation for BTA Bill No. 43, inviting several officials and representatives from the BARMM’s ministries, offices, and agencies, as well as concerned national agencies and provincial, municipal, and city local government units, financial and educational institutions, transportation groups, nongovernment organizations, and civil society groups.

Speaking about the recently passed Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Atty. Dumama-Alba emphasized the importance of public consultations to provide the Bangsamoro legislators with a more nuanced understanding of the implications of the proposed measure.

She also guaranteed that the committee will give careful consideration to all stakeholder’s feedback before submitting its report to the plenary.

Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Mary Ann Arnado noted that the public consultation is a great opportunity to engage with the public and hear their voices.

It’s crucial that everyone understand “what is the administrative capital, what requirements should be considered to become an administrative capital, and why Parang?” she said.

Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Parliament shall fix by law the permanent seat of the Bangsamoro government anywhere within the territorial jurisdiction of the region, taking into consideration accessibility and the efficiency with which its mandate may be carried out under the BOL.

The selection criteria for the new government center, according to the committee’s presentation, include location and accessibility, land availability and suitability, infrastructure and utilities, economic, institutional, and social services, social and political acceptability, peace and order conditions, and the potential to enhance BARMM development.

Other locations considered were Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan Mastura.

Of these municipalities, Parang scored the highest in the assessment.

The committee said that the results of the feasibility study showed not just the need to relocate the government center but also the most ideal location for it to establish a new capital, the fast-growing town of Parang.

According to the proposed measure, the Bangsamoro Government Center in Parang will be autonomous from the local government unit and will report directly to the regional government.

A committee will be formed called the Committee on the Establishment of Administrative Capital (CEAC) to lead and organize the preparation, development, and implementation of masterplans, strategies, processes, and timetables that will serve as the framework for the development of Parang as the new administrative center of the Bangsamoro government.

Based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Parang municipality has 102,000 population, 17,000 households, and 25 barangays. It also includes the seven barangays of