CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Residents of Wao town in Lanao del Sur province are vehemently opposing a legislative proposal by Bangsamoro Parliament Member (MP) Ali Montaha Babao to divide their municipality into two through Parliament Bill No. 271.

The bill aims to establish the municipality of Pilintangan, comprising 11 barangays to be taken from the existing 26 barangays of Wao. The affected barangays include Balatin, Buntongan, Buot, East Kili Kili, Kadingilan, Mimbuaya, Muslim Village, Panang, Park Area, Pilintangan, and Western (Poblacion), with its seat of government in Barangay Pilintangan.

The surprising revelation of the proposal on social media, coupled with the lack of consultations with local officials and affected barangays, has sparked outrage among Wao townsfolk.

In a recent public rally at the municipal hall grounds, Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. expressed his discontent, emphasizing the absence of consultations and the potential chaos the bill might bring to their town. As such, he urged MP Babao to withdraw PB 271, 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 kini sa kagubot diri sa atun banwa. Ginahangyo nako ang atong minister nga kung mahimo, ginahangyo ko sa iyaha nga ipa-retract na ang bill sa nagsponsor kay makaguba kini sa Wao," he expressed.

[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.]

Barangay captains directly affected by the proposal also voiced their concerns during the rally.

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.]

Meanwhile, Balicao expressed appreciation to Wao's Sangguniang Bayan members and barangay captains, civil society organizations, the business sector, and religious groups who submitted their position papers against the proposal.

The bill stipulates that a plebiscite will be conducted 60 days after its approval, allowing affected barangays and residents to express their positions. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)