Most youth in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato favor BARMM inclusion – survey

Sofia Tomacruz

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Most youth in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato favor BARMM inclusion – survey

Manman Dejeto

Surveyed youth in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato consider terrorism as the top priority the new Bangsamoro region should address

MANILA, Philippines – A majority of youth in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato said they favor some of their municipalities and barangays joining the new Bangsamoro region, latest results of a survey conducted by peace-building organization International Alert (IA) Philippines showed.

The plebiscite for the inclusion of 6 towns in Lanao del Norte and 67 barangays in North Cotabato is set to take place on Wednesday, February 6.

It follows the first voting day last January 21, which saw majority of residents in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Cotabato City voting in favor of the law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The survey, conducted from January 11 to 16 in Lanao del Norte, showed 71% of youth in favor of including the municipalities of Tangkal, Tagaloan, Munai, Pantar, Nunungan, and Baloi in the BARMM. The survey had 355 respondents from Lanao del Norte and 209 from North Cotabato.

83% of youth in the municipalities of Pikit, Kabacan, Carmen, Midsayap, Pigkawagan, and Aleosan in North Cotabato said they would vote in favor of the respective barangays joining the new Muslim region. These areas are the mother units of barangays that seek to be part of BARMM.

According to IA country director Nikki de la Rosa, this marks an increase from the 53% of youth from both areas who said in 2018 they would vote in favor of inclusion in the BARMM.

The municipality of Tulanan, which hosts Barangay Galidan, was not included in IA’s survey because it was not part of the group’s first survey on the Bangsamoro Law completed last year. The survey was conducted in the North Cotabato areas from January 24 to 27, 2019.

Unlike in the ARMM where the youth comprised a critical majority (57%) of the voting population, De la Rosa said the youth make for 45% of voters in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato. Those considered youth are aged 18 to 35.

What’s behind the rise? IA statistician Angelo Casalan said one factor behind the increase in youth who were in favor of inclusion in BARMM could be their greater familiarity with the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)

Results showed 98% of youth in Lanao del Norte were now familiar with BOL compared to 64% in 2018. In North Cotabato, familiarity with the issue also grew from 86% in 2018 to 98% in 2019.

Aside from this, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had also campaigned hard for the inclusion of the 6 towns in Lanao del Norte. These areas are also considered strongholds of the group. (VISUALS: Powerbrokers in the Bangsamoro Region)

On the other hand, Francisco Lara, IA senior peace and conflict adviser in Asia said the lower number of youth in Lanao del Norte who were in favor of inclusion in BARMM could be due to the incumbent Dimaporo clan’s opposition to it.

Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo had said she and her family supported the creation of BARMM but they won’t let 6 towns in Lanao del Norte be part of it. This, because it would mean a lower Internal Revenue Allotment for the province and the loss of a “buffer” zone as protection. (READ: Key personalities who will make or break the Bangsamoro plebiscite)

Youth’s expectations: According to the survey, among the issues that inclusion in the BARMM should address are terrorism, rebellion, corruption, implementation of Sharia Law, and poverty.

Like the youth of the ARMM, terrorism became a top priority compared to 2018 when poverty was the top concern. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Sleeve, Clothing, Apparel

author

Sofia Tomacruz

Sofia Tomacruz covers defense and foreign affairs. Follow her on Twitter via @sofiatomacruz.