Datu Odin Sinsuat observes town’s 22nd renaming anniversary

SERVICE GRATITUDE --- Maguindanao 1^st District Rep. Bai Sandra S. Sema is a recipient of a Plaque of Appreciation from Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Datu Ombra Sinsuat, Sr. for her invaluable support to the various development programs of the town. The plaque was presented to Sema during the 22nd Renaming Anniversary held at the municipal covered court last December 15. With the mayor are ARMM Governor Mujiv S.  Hataman and 9^th Regional Legislative Assembly Speaker Roonie Sinsuat. (ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY ---  The municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat gears for another year of competence as it observed last December 15 its 22^nd Renaming Anniversary with the theme, “Sulong Pagbabago tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.”

Datu Odin Sinsuat, well-known for peaceful co-existence amid diverse ethnicity and formerly known as Dinaig, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao. The town's name Dinaig was changed into Datu Odin Sinsuat in 1994 by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 29.

In a simple program held at the municipal covered court, Municipal Mayor Datu Ombra Sinsuat, Sr. said that through the years peace and order have been their primary concern.

“This is the reason why come every election, our town delivers very well. We are conducting it the peaceful way because of the dialogue between the local leaders and our constituents. They discuss, like for instance, who should run in the elections. It is all about sincerity and respect,” he said.

Bai Sandra S. Sema, House representative for the 1st District of Maguindanao, expressed in her message how proud she is for the greatest achievements of the town under the leadership of Sinsuat.

“We have many things to be thankful for. Firstly, we have an effective peace and order campaign. Another, the town has several tourist attractions where residents from Maguindanao and Cotabato City could enjoy like the Kusiong Beach, the famous Blue Lagoon, and others,” she said.

To add another milestone in history, Sema added she will also file a bill in Congress in January creating the province of Northern Maguindanao where the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat will be its capital.

“We will push on the creation of another province in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),” she said.

ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, who was the guest of honour and speaker in the event, greeted the constituents in the renaming anniversary of the town.

“This is a promise that before I finish my term, roads shall be cemented and it includes Datu Odin Sinsuat,” he said.

Other personalities present during the affair included Maguindanao Vice-Governor Datu Lester S. Sinsuat, Maguindanao Board Members Russman U. Sinsuat, Jr., Datu Bimbo Q. Sinsuat, Nashrullah Imam, Department of Transportation and Communication-ARMM Regional Secretary Datu Ombra Sinsuat, Jr., and PNP Maguindanao Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Agustin Tello.

Datu Odin Sinsuat is politically subdivided into 34 barangays --- Ambolodto, Awang, Badak, Bagoenged, Baka, Benolen, Bitu, Bongued, Bugawas, Capiton, Dados, Dalican-Poblacion, Dinaig Proper, Dulangan, Kakar, Kenebeka, Kurintem, Kusiong, Labungan, Linek, Makir, Margues, Mompong, Nekitan, Sapalan, Semba, Sibuto, Sifaren (Sifaran), Tambak, Tamontaka, Tanuel, Tapian, Taviran, and Tenonggos. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)