A new province within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), to be known as the Moro Province, is being proposed under Senate Bill No. 2008, which seeks to cover the eight municipalities under the Special Geographic Area (SGA).
The measure aims to establish a formal provincial government structure to address what its explanatory note describes as persistent governance and representation gaps in the SGA. It is intended to improve the delivery of basic services, strengthen local governance, and accelerate socio-economic development in communities that voted to join BARMM during the 2019 plebiscite.
Under the bill, the Moro Province will be composed of the municipalities of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan, all formed from 63 barangays in Cotabato Province that opted to join BARMM following the February 6, 2019 plebiscite.
The measure highlights structural challenges in the Special Geographic Area, noting that residents have faced limited political representation and uneven access to public services following their transition from Cotabato Province to BARMM governance arrangements.
It also points out that SGA communities were unable to participate in the 2022 elections for provincial officials of Cotabato, while also lacking a fully established provincial governance structure within BARMM, creating a gap in formal representation and administrative oversight.
The bill proposes that the creation of Moro Province will establish a dedicated provincial government with authority over development planning, infrastructure coordination, revenue generation, taxation, land-use regulation, and social services tailored to local needs.
It is also framed as a mechanism to strengthen peace-building and autonomy gains in the Bangsamoro region by ensuring that governance structures are closer to affected communities.
The measure emphasizes that autonomy must translate into tangible development outcomes, including jobs, education, and public services, reinforcing the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.
It argues that institutionalizing a provincial government for the SGA will ensure that residents directly benefit from self-governance and inclusive development.
Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla is the author of Senate Bill No. 2008, also titled the proposed “Charter of the Moro Province,” which seeks to institutionalize the administrative framework necessary for the creation and operation of a provincial government within BARMM.