Inauguration of legislative hall: Provincial seat back in Sultan Kudarat

50 Million worth rehabilitated SP Building

The newly rehabilitated Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) Hall located behind the old Maguindanao Capitol in  Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao was inaugurated last Thursday, June 14, 2012. The vice governor of Maguindanao, Hon. Datu Ismael “Dustin” Mastura initiated the transfer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan from the Municipality of Shariff Aguak to Simuay, Sultan Kudarat Municipality, supported by the majority of the Board Members from   1^st and 2^nd district of Maguindanao by passing two resolutions  pursuant to the Presidential Decree #1170 which  was the strong basis to bring back the  office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to  Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. The first resolution entitled “A resolution establishing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao as the official site of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan”. Resolution #78 series of 2011 adopted during the 22^nd regular session of the 16^th Provicial Board of Maguindano on May 3, 2011. The Second resolution entitled “A resolution reiterating Sultan Kudarat as the seat of Government of the Province of Maguindanao, pursuant to Presidential Decree #1170". Resolution #132 was adopted on the 39th regular session of the 16th Sangguniang Panlalawiagan of Maguindanao on April 3, 2012.

Vice Governor of Maguindanao Provice, Hon. Datu Ismael "Dustin" Mastura,
delivering his message during the inauguration.

“However only the office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan  is being transferred to its original location and it will now be the permanent address of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan”, according to Vice Governor Ismael “Dustin” Mastura. He also added, “Simuay, Sultan Kudarat is  more strategic and easy to access by the most municipalities of Magunidanao being it is located in the center of Maguindanao province it has also more facilities to offer, being near the Polloc Port and Simuay is situated at the crossroads of national highways leading to Davao City, Lanao Del Norte, Lanao Del Sur and South Cotabato.”

Entrance to the old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol at Simuay Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao

In November 22, 1973, Province of Maguindanao was created by a Presidential Decree #341 signed by the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, whereas the Municipality of Maganoy now Shariff Aguak was its official site of the Maguindanao Provicial Government however it was amended by the Presidential Decree # 1170 the later transferring of the provincial seat from Maganoy to the Municiapality of Sultan Kudarat. Whereas during the administration of the Datu Andal Ampatuan, former governor of Maguindanao, from 2001 to 2009 all provincial offices were transferred back to Municipality of Shariff Aguak without whatsoever any supporting amendatory law.

Honorary cutting of the ribbon by Hon. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, Jr. DILG ARMM Secretary (left)
and former Maguindanao Governor, Hon. Datu Norudin Matalam (in blue) joined by
Mayor of Sultan Kudarat Municipality, Hon. Datu Tucao Mastura (center) and
Vice Governor of Maguindanao, Hon Datu Ismael "Dustin" Mastura (right) 

The considered historical event by the Maguindanaons was attended by the Mayors of the different Municipalities of Maguindanao, the 1^st and 2^nd District Board Members, Philippine Army Commanding General of 6^th Infantry Kampilan Division MGen Rey C Ardo, Philippine National Police ARMM Regional Director PCSUPT Mario A. Avenido, DSC and the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ARMM, Hon. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, Jr. as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.