SEN. Robin Padila yesterday proposed the establishment of a new autonomous region in Mindanao, this time comprised of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi (Basulta).
“To further promote political stability and economic development in the Sulu archipelago, this bill aims to create an effective political entity, provide for its basic structure of government in recognition of the cause of the people of Sulu and that of the people of the provinces of Basilan and Tawi-tawi,” Padilla said in filing Senate Bill No. 2879.
Basilan and Tawi-tawi are part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which also includes Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur.
The Supreme Court last September 9 declared Sulu to be excluded in the BARMM after its voters rejected the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Padilla said he filed his proposal following Sulu’s exit from the BARMM. He said that the bill aims to create a new autonomous region with its own regional assembly in Mindanao.
Under the bill, the national government shall provide the Basulta Autonomous Region with proportionate and equitable share in the annual national budget and foreign-assisted projects.
It also provides for sharing in exploration, development and utilization of natural resources in Basulta. In the case of uranium and fossil fuels, these may be co-managed, and the revenues shared equally between the national government and Basulta government.
Indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples shall have a 5 percent share of net revenues from the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources, including natural gas projects in the territories covered by native, traditional or customary title.
