New Bangsamoro MP Naguib Sinarimbo hits the ground running with barangay dialogues

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Newly appointed Bangsamoro Parliament Member Naguib Sinarimbo has launched barangay consultations in Cotabato City, in a bid to bridge the gap between policymakers and ordinary citizens.

Sinarimbo, a lawyer and former BARMM local government minister, met with residents of Barangays Rosary Heights 10 and 11 for “Kumustahan sa Barangay,” an initiative aimed at drawing firsthand input from communities often left out of policymaking conversations.

Some regional lawmakers have engaged in sustained, direct consultations at the barangay level since 2019. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was established in 2019.

Sinarimbo’s outreach, held twice since Sunday, is seen as a move to challenge the notion that the poor and marginalized are disconnected from their own representatives.

Community Voices Urgent Needs Through Barangay Dialogues

“This is our way of speaking directly to the parliament,” said 76-year-old Badruddin Monib Tasil, one of the participants. “We hope they listen to our real needs.”

Residents raised concerns about the lack of support for early childhood care, and the struggles of solo parents. They also underscored widespread underdevelopment, and the urgent need for environmental protection in Cotabato City.

Sinarimbo joins a handful of Bangsamoro lawmakers known for on-the-ground engagement. Among them are Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., who regularly conducts medical missions in remote areas, and lawyers Paisalin Tago and Suharto Ambolodto, both of whom are known for community dialogues on regional programs.

Sinolinding, an ophthalmologist trained in India, also leads free eye surgeries in underserved barangays for Moro and non-Moro residents alike. Tago heads BARMM’s transportation and communications ministry. He has used his post to push infrastructure and accessibility issues in Lanao del Sur.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Sinarimbo in March 2025. He is now charting his path as a member of the 80-seat regional parliament—starting with listening.

“This isn’t just consultation,” he told residents. “It’s partnership.”

About The Author

John Unson

John Unson is a veteran Filipino journalist who serves as a staff writer for the regions “Central Mindanao and BARMM” at The Philippine Star. He covers news and events in Mindanao — especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the broader Central Mindanao area. His reporting spans a wide range of topics including security incidents, terrorist-related developments, drug enforcement, smuggling operations, social issues, and regional politics.

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