Maguindanao del Norte, officially the Province of Maguindanao del Norte (Maguindanaon: Dairat nu Utara Magindanaw, Jawi: دَاِيْرَتْ نُوْ اُوْتَرَ مَڬِنْدَنَوْ; Iranun: Perobinsia a Pangutaran Magindanao, ڤروبنسيا ا ڤڠوترن مڬیندانو Filipino: Hilagang Maguindanao), is a province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao. Its capital is the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat. It borders Cotabato province to the east, Lanao del Sur to the north, Maguindanao del Sur to the south-east, and Sultan Kudarat to the south.
The province's largest city, Cotabato City, is administratively independent from the province but is grouped for congressional representation.
History
Foundation
The idea of creating a province in the present territory of Maguindanao del Norte dates back to 2006 when the province of Shariff Kabunsuan briefly existed for two years before being reverted as part of Maguindanao.
Maguindanao del Norte was formed when Maguindanao province was split into two provinces; the other province being Maguindanao del Sur. The division occurred following a plebiscite on September 17, 2022 which ratified Republic Act 11550 wherein it proposed the partitioning of the province. Former Maguindanao Vice Governor Ainee Sinsuat was expected to become the acting governor of the newly formed Maguindanao del Norte province. However an issue arose since the determination of the first set of officials of the province presumes that the plebiscite was held prior to the 2022 national and local elections. However the plebiscite was postponed to a date after the elections. This led to the Commission on Elections to come up with a legal opinion. The position was issued on September 28, 2022, where the election body conclude that only the Department of the Interior and Local Government could appoint the first officials of the province.
Sinsuat took oath as the first governor of the province on October 13, 2022 with former Maguindanao Provincial Board member Sharifudin Mastura as her vice governor. A transition period would take place until January 9, 2023. On April 28, 2023, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Abdulraof Macacua as the full pledged governor of the province while Sinsuat was appointed as the vice governor. On August 14, 2023, Sinsuat vacated her position as vice governor and revived her claim as the legitimate governor. Both the national and Bangsamoro regional government does not recognize Sinsuat's claim.
Geography
Maguindanao del Norte has a total area of 3,988.82 square kilometers (1,540.09 sq mi). The province is bordered to the north by Lanao del Sur, to the east by Cotabato, to the southwest by Maguindanao del Sur, and to the south by Sultan Kudarat. It has an outlying island near the mainland called Bongo Island, which falls under its jurisdiction.
Administrative divisions
Maguindanao del Norte is composed of 1 independent city, 12 municipalities, and 3 legislative districts.
Demographics
According to the 2020 census conducted before the province's creation, Maguindanao del Norte has a population of 926,037 people, with a population density of 230 inhabitants per square kilometer or 600 inhabitants per square mile. The predominant ethnic group is the Maguindanaon.
Government
Economy
Transportation and storage, other non-agricultural services, food and accommodation services is becoming the fastest growing sector in the province. Agricultural activities include forestry and fishing.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Maguindanao del Norte had improved its economic growth from 7.8 percent in 2021 (before its establishment) to 8.8 percent in 2022. The province had a Gross Domestic Product of 78.01 billion Philippine pesos in 2022.
Notable people
- Orlando Quevedo – Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
- Elias Lumayog Ayuban Jr. – second bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao.
- Noel Felongco – Lead Convenor of National Anti-Poverty Commission
- Imah Dumagay – Stand-up comedian based in Dubai
- Romero Duno – Professional Boxer
- Jay Jaboneta – Blogger, Philanthropist, Media Advocate, and Online Community Organizer
- Kublai Millan – Prolific Artist
- Ben Farrales – Fashion Designer, known for his muslim inspired terno designs
Notes
References
