MinDA says no to Arroyo bill dividing ARMM into two regions

A proposal filed by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which would divide the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) into two regions, has been slammed as “an exercise in futility" by the newly-appointed head of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). HB 173, filed by the former President and her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, seeks to create two new autonomous governments to replace ARMM. (See: Arroyo bill seeks to split ARMM into two regions) “I don't think it will succeed. It’s an exercise in futility. This cannot be done without a plebiscite. The Mindanaoans will not agree to that. And why put another layer of bureaucracy?" said MinDA Chairperson Lualhati Antonino when interviewed at the sidelines of the 19th Mindanao Business Congress. “I think (Gloria) Arroyo is trying to make up for her lack of attention to Mindanao when she was the President. But we don't need that kind of attention now," she said. Suggested redivision Based on the bill, the Autonomous Region in Southwestern Mindanao (ARSWM) would be comprised of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and the cities of Isabela, Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan and Zamboanga. Meanwhile, the second region, the Autonomous Region in Central Mindanao (ARCM), would include the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato and Sarangani, and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi, Iligan, Kidapawan, General Santos, Koronadal, and Tacurong Currently, ARMM consists of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and Marawi City. Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao “are landlocked by areas inhabited by other indigenous and ethnic groups," making the ARMM harder to govern, according to HB 173. Arroyo claimed that the split would solve the "geographical constraints that pose an immense challenge in governing ARMM." However, the Arroyos’ bill would only impede the development blueprint that the MinDA prepared for the region, Antonino said. She cited a priority program of MinDA to develop an integrated system of roads and transportation that would link all ports in Mindanao into a single network, for the easier facilitation of economic activities. Based on these plans and framework, the attempt to restructure Mindanao is unnecessary, Antonino explained. Proposed plebiscite Arroyo has suggested that a plebiscite on the issue of creating two autonomous Muslim regions could be held simultaneously with the upcoming Oct. 25 barangay elections. Under the bill, the plebiscite would be conducted in every village involved in the proposal, with the question: "Do you vote in favor of the inclusion of your village, province, city and municipality in the Autonomous Regions in Mindanao?" Antonino noted that previous attempts to change the existing structure of Mindanao had failed. In General Santos and Zamboanga City, for instance, the people voted against restructuring in several plebiscites. Antonino, a former House representative of South Cotabato from 1992 to 2001, said the government should just focus on "peace and order, human resource development, education and economic opportunities for the all the regions in Mindanao."—Larissa Mae Suarez/JV, GMANews.TV