Dimaporos Yes to BOL but No to inclusion of Lanao del Norte 6 towns

By ASA T. MADALE

February 1, 2019

ILIGAN CITY: The Dimaporo clan of Lanao del Norte maintain their stand of supporting the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) even as they are against the inclusion of the six towns of the province to the area of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Lanao del Norte first and second districts representatives Khalid and his father Abdullah Dimaporo respectively were among lawmakers who supported the passage of Republic Act 11054 also known as BOL.

Provincial governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, Abdullah's wife and mother of Khalid, said that since "BOL is already a law, and we have supported its passage, Lanao del Norte supports all peace initiatives between the Moro rebels for Lanao del Norte will be the first to benefit from the agreement."

The governor, however, has maintained that they are against to addition of the six towns to the new region. 

She said she, vice governor Cristy Atay and the members of the provincial board were "united in opposing" the inclusion of the six municipalities.

On February 6, 2018, the constituents of Lanao del Norte will decide in a plebiscite whether to include the municipalities of Tagoloan, Baloi, Pantar, Munai, and Nunungan.

Last January 21, the core area of the present Autonomous Region in Muslim MIndanao and the cities of Isabela in Basilan province and Cotabato City overwhelmingly voted for the BOL except for Isabela and Sulu which rejected it.

"In our province, what we are going to vote is Yes or No to the inclusion of these municipalities to BARMM. And we strongly say No to that," Quibranza-Dimaporo stressed.

Quibranza-Dimaporo elaborated that both the local officials and House legislators of Lanao del Norte are concerned that if the said municipalities will be separated from the province, the Internal Revenue Allotment or IRA of the province will be reduced and it will affect the allocation of funds in providing basic services of the remaining towns.

"These municipalities are considered the buffer zones which play a vital role in sustaining the peace and order," Quibranza-Dimaporo said.

For years Muslims and Christians have lived harmoniously together which drives the economic growth and sustainable peace in Lanao del Norte, and for that, there is a need to provide the basic service to all residents regardless of their religion, she added.

                                                                                 MASIDING NOOR YAHYA