The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) continues its public consultations for the creation of new parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The latest consultation led by Deputy Speaker, Atty. Amenodin Sumagayan, was held in Marawi City, where stakeholders expressed their sentiments on the matter.

During the consultation, BTA Bills 403, 407, 408, 411, 415, and 416 that seek to fix the apportionment of district representative seats in the region were presented.

Stakeholders raised concerns, including the potential separation of Kapai and Tagoloan 2 municipalities, which already have a Supreme Court ruling on their status.

“Hinihingi po namin sa BTA na irespeto at pangalagaan po natin ang matibay na bigkis na nagtatali sa aming dalawang bayan, huwag natin hayaan na sirain ang aming kasaysayan. We ask the BTA for the welfare of the Kapai and Tagoloan 2, lets us respect and safeguard the strong ties that binds us our 2 municipalities and let us not destroy a part of the Bangsamoro history,” Tasnim-Jannah Maongco Edris of Kapai, Lanao del Sur said.

Youth representatives also called for faster redistricting process and ensure efficient governance.

“Ang paulit-ulit na delay sa redistricting ay hindi basta inconvenience frustration na po ito lalo na para sa kabataang bangsamoro na umaasa sa isang mas transparent, mas responsive at fairly represented na gobyerno,” Fyha Alonto of Ranaw Youth Parliament said.

The towns of Taraka under Lanao del Sur also submitted a position paper.

“Let us maintain professionalism and uphold respect in all our discussions. These proposals are open for sincere deliberation,” Taraka Mayor Nashiba Gandamra Sumagayan said.

Sumagayan assured participants that all inputs from the public consultations will be consolidated.

The BTA aims to complete the consultations before the holiday break in December.

“Lahat ng mga bills na yun that will be consolidated, so eventually magco-come up tayo into one bill na we will consider all the inputs na binigay dito sa public consultation,” Sumagayan said.

Once the new districting bill is passed, the first parliamentary election will proceed on March 30, 2026, after the polls set originally for October 13, 2025 was postponed due to the Supreme Court ruling declaring the districting laws, Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts 58 and 77, unconstitutional.

The last two legs of the public consultations were held in Maguinadanao del Sur on December 10 and Maguindanao del Norte on Friday, December 12, 2025.