THE GOVERNOR of the island province of Basilan said it is time for Isabela City to start thinking about becoming part of what will be a new Bangsamoro territory, which is seen to provide more opportunities for development. Gov. Hadjiman S. Hataman-Saliman said it “is high-time for the people of Isabela to realize and to think about it.” He added, “The truth is, if we look at Basilan in terms of development, those who are developing are those areas under the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)… In term of horizontal infrastructures and intervention of development Isabela is left behind.” Basilan, a province under the ARMM, is composed of 11 municipalities and two cities. Isabela City, located on the northwestern part of the island, did not vote to become a part of the ARMM and remains under the political juridiction of the Zamboanga Peninsula region. The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) has been ratified by both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting the President’s signature. Under the BOL, a plebiscite will be held for areas outside the ARMM that might become part of the new Bangsamoro area. — Albert F. Arcilla

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